Milan Kundera once wrote, “To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring – it was peace.” This quote perfectly encapsulates my childhood summers, which seemed to stretch on endlessly. My parents never overscheduled me; instead, I spent my days exploring the vast backyard, marveling at the plants, and swinging lazily on my swing. Sure, there were moments of boredom, but they were accompanied by a sense of tranquility.

In this idyllic setting, I found solace in the pages of books, diving deep into stories and becoming one with the characters. It was only during these times of peaceful solitude that I could truly immerse myself in a literary world.

As a parent, I yearned for my children to experience the same sense of peace and discovery, prompting my decision to homeschool them. Upon relocating to the United States, I encountered a cultural shock, especially concerning the expectations placed on children, both schooled and homeschooled. The overscheduled lives of my children’s friends left no room for moments of calm.

One friend mentioned that she filled her children’s schedules to prevent drug addiction, but I shared an alternative approach from Switzerland: kindergartens periodically remove all toys, teaching children to cope with boredom as a means of addiction prevention. Embracing boredom is essential for children’s development, fostering creativity, resilience, independence, and critical thinking skills.

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider our approach to scheduling and accept that less can be more for our children. By giving them the space to experience and navigate boredom, we may unlock their full potential, allowing them to grow into well-rounded, resourceful individuals. As Kundera reminds us, true peace can be found in the stillness of doing nothing, and this simple truth may be the key to creating a homeschooling experience that embraces the beauty of boredom and the tranquility it can bring.