Every parent has heard it at least once. “I’m bored.” And the reaction is usually the same. Someone hands over the phone. A cartoon is on. A tablet appears. Within seconds, the complaint went away. But what if boredom isn’t the problem? What if it’s really something that kids need more of? Tennis legend Novak Djokovic touched on this same idea in a recent podcast while talking about parenting his two children. The 24-time Grand Slam champion shared a way of thinking about parenting that seems almost too simplistic for a world where kids are entertained non-stop. It wasn’t about strict rules or some clever technique. It was about letting kids slow down, sit with their thoughts, and find their creativity rather than automatically reaching for a screen. For many modern parents, this is a consideration worth considering. “Dad, I’m bored” was how Djokovic described the day his family spent at his parents’ rural home, a lakeside home. “We were playing ping pong, we were kayaking in the lake… we played some football, soccer. So the first few hours of the day were pretty active for us,” he said. Then came the moment most parents will immediately recognize. “My son just said to me a few days ago…Daddy, I’m bored,” he recalled in the podcast. After that active morning, kids often expect something new to happen right away. When this does not happen, boredom sets in and it does not feel good. Djokovic was in no hurry to fix it. Instead, he turned it into a conversation. “It’s OK to be bored sometimes” Instead of suggesting another activity or handing over a screen, he sat his son down and talked to him. “But son, it’s okay to be bored sometimes,” he said. He reminded his son of everything they had done that morning. “First of all, you had a nice, active morning and you did a lot of things. When you’re bored, it doesn’t mean you have to immediately grab a book or a screen or something. Instead of filling every quiet moment, he encouraged his son to just sit with it. Learning to be alone with his thoughts is part of what Djokovic said really stands out, because it’s the opposite of how most of us spend our free time now.” Kids have to learn how to be with their thoughts as they grow.” Silence surrounded by notifications, videos, and games can seem strange, even uncomfortable. Most parents treat boredom like a problem that can be solved immediately. Djokovic sees it differently. He believes these quiet activities are far more valuable than nonstop entertainment. “If you’re bored indoors, go outside.” His advice wasn’t complicated. “If you’re bored indoors, go outside. If you are not comfortable being bored, then go outside. Sit in a chair and have a drink and just look at the sky,” Djokovic said. Not an expensive activity. Just going out. Looking towards the sky. Let your mind wander. This seems a bit old-fashioned; But this is basically where many of us grew up, before every spare second was filled with phones. Why boredom can actually be good for kids. Djokovic acknowledged that this is actually easier said than done. “I think that’s easier said than done. I’d really like my kids to be able to overcome boredom because that’s the time when you’re really the most creative.” When kids aren’t constantly taking in information, they start creating their own games, stories, ideas. Imagination begins to appear where constant stimulation stops. Djokovic also believes that boredom gives children space to work through emotions that are usually buried under distraction. “This is the time when you can manage your thoughts and all the things you’re suppressing by distracting yourself with your phone. Whatever it is,” he said. For parents, this could be the real accomplishment here. Children don’t just need entertainment. Sometimes, they need space to think. “My kids don’t have phones” At the end of the conversation, Djokovic almost said something that shocked a lot of people. “My kids don’t have phones. They’re 11 and 8… and that’s a whole other conversation.” A parenting lesson that’s about more than just the phone. It’s about resisting the urge to entertain yourself every single minute. So the next time a child says “I’m bored,” there’s no need to do anything. That free moment can turn into a new game, a new idea, or a chance for a child to learn that being alone with their thoughts is one of the most important things a parent can teach.