The Dignity of the Child and the “I’m Bored: Entertain Me” Syndrome.

The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God…By his deliberate actions, the human person does, or does not, conform to the good promised by God…[individuals] make their own contribution to their interior growth; they make their whole…lives into means of this growth. —Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1700

Work honors the Creator’s gifts and the talents received from Him. —ibid,2427

If you’ve ever read the family-friendly Little House on the Prairie series, or Anne Pellowski’s “Catholic Little House” series, have you noticed that boredom is never mentioned?

“Boredom” was rare a century ago, simply because children were valued not only as gifts made in the image of God, but also for their necessary participation in the well-being of the family.  This participation included daily labors that often began before sunrise and ended only at bedtime.  After several hours of “chores,” children were rarely bored in their free time.  And those chores contributed to their interior growth.  (CCC 1700)

Even though they lived often-menial lives, do you suppose Our Lord and Lady were ever bored? No, because all that they did they did for someone else.  That is, whether sweeping up sawdust or perhaps baking bread for a sick neighbor, their work was dedicated to the greater glory of God, in the service of others.

For some Antidotes to Boredom continue reading via CHC E-Newsletter.