“I’m Bored!” What Parents Should Do Instead of Entertaining Their Kids | Dr. Becky Lizzie Assa

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

January 13, 2026

Duration

36m

Channel

Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Your kid whines, “I’m so bored!” and suddenly you feel like you have to fix it. Dr. Becky and independent play expert Lizzie Assa reframe boredom as a good thing, show parents how to step out of the entertainer role, and share a few doable ways to build independence, creativity, and resilience. Get the Good Inside App by Dr. Becky: https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk Your Good Inside membership might be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement! To learn more about how to get your membership reimbursed, check out the link here: https://www.goodinside.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/ Follow Dr. Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside Sign up for our weekly email, Good Insider: https://www.goodinside.com/newsletter For a full transcript of the episode, go to http://goodinside.com/podcast Thank you to our sponsor, Care.com. Parents carry so much, and having trusted support can make a real difference—lightening the mental load and helping families feel more present. Care.com makes it easier to find background-checked caregivers, camps, and daycare, and for a limited time you can use code GOOD35 to save 35% on a Premium Membership. Thank you to our sponsor, Airbnb. If you’re interested in hosting but don’t want the added stress, Airbnb’s Co-Host Network lets you work with a vetted local co-host who can handle things like guest communication, check-ins, and on-site support. Learn more about hosting with help at airbnb.com/host. Thank you to our sponsor, SmartyPants. SmartyPants Vitamins are the #1 Kids Gummy Multi, delivering 33% more nutrients than the second-leading product with 16 essential nutrients to support kids’ health—and kids actually love the taste. Find SmartyPants on Amazon, or at Target and Walmart today. Screens are a big part of family life, but many parents feel how easily they can get in the way of real connection. The Reset, a national movement from Outward Bound USA, invites families to unplug for 24 hours on Saturday, January 24th and reconnect in whatever way works for them. Learn more and sign the pledge at the-reset.org.

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Dr. Becky

  host

  Clinical psychologist and founder/host of the Good Inside parenting platform and podcast.

• Lizzie Assa

  guest

  Parenting author and researcher who wrote a book on the benefits of boredom and independent play for kids.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Good Inside with Dr. Becky, featuring Dr. Becky and Lizzie Assa, “I’m Bored!” What Parents Should Do Instead of Entertaining Their Kids | Dr. Becky Lizzie Assa explores reframing kids’ boredom to build independence, play, and resilience skills Boredom is reframed as a positive signal that a parent has protected downtime from constant stimulation and overscheduling.

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