Let’s start with a confession: sometimes I find parenting boring.
There. I said it.
Not all the time, obviously. There are plenty of moments that are magical, hilarious, moving, and unforgettable. But in between the first steps, silly jokes, and spontaneous cuddles, there’s a lot of repetition, admin, and emotional heavy lifting. And, sometimes, yes—boredom.
It’s one of those things you’re not really supposed to admit. Say you’re tired? Fair enough. Say it’s hard? Totally valid. But say you’re bored? Cue the raised eyebrows and silent judgment. It sounds ungrateful. Like you’re not savouring every second. Like you don’t love your kids enough.
But here’s the thing: boredom isn’t the opposite of love. It’s the opposite of novelty. And novelty runs pretty thin when you’re cleaning the same yogurt splodge off the same high chair tray for the 38th day in a row.
The Groundhog Day Effect
Parenting can feel like you’re living the same day on loop. You get up, herd small people into clothes, convince them to eat their breakfast with the skills of an FBI hostage negotiator, then spend the day repeating the words “shoes,” “hands,” and “no, not in your mouth.”
Routines are good for kids, obviously. But they can grind you down as a parent. Even when you try to inject variety—playdates, soft play, walks—the basics are always there, humming in the background: nappies, snacks, bedtime battles.
I’ve found myself sitting in the middle of the lounge surrounded by Hot Wheels and thinking, “Is this it? Is this what I’m doing with my one wild and precious life?”
It’s not a proud thought, but it’s an honest one.
It’s Not Just You
Here’s the truth: boredom in parenting is completely normal—and surprisingly common.
In 2022, a YouGov poll found that nearly 60% of UK parents admitted to feeling bored while looking after their children at least once a week. And I’d wager the other 40% were too tired to answer honestly.
Children are wonderful, but they’re not great conversationalists. They get a bit better around age four, but even then, their topics of choice—dinosaurs, Minecraft, the exact plot of Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie—aren’t always the stuff of thrilling adult discourse.
Add to that the fact that parenting often involves large chunks of watching—watching them go down a slide for the 19th time, watching them put stickers on a cereal box, watching them pour water from one cup to another for twenty minutes—and it’s no wonder your brain occasionally checks out.
Why the Guilt?
So why do we feel guilty for admitting it?
Because modern parenting is a pressure cooker of unrealistic expectations. We’re told to be present, grateful, and engaged at all times. Social media feeds are full of craft projects, family hikes, and homemade bento boxes—all accompanied by captions about how “every moment is a blessing.”
And, of course, many of us do feel incredibly grateful to have children. Some have faced long journeys to get there. But gratitude and boredom aren’t mutually exclusive. You can be profoundly thankful for your kids and still find parts of parenting duller than watching paint dry on a rainy bank holiday.
It’s also worth saying that mums seem to be allowed to voice this more freely than dads. There are whole Instagram accounts devoted to the mundane hilarity of motherhood. Dads, on the other hand, are still battling the outdated idea that we should either be distant providers or endlessly fun playmates. There’s no room in that stereotype for “tired and emotionally bored.”
What Boredom Is Trying to Tell You
The occasional parenting slump doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. And it’s often a sign that you need a bit more stimulation, not that your kids are doing anything wrong.
Boredom can be a nudge toward balance. When you spend every hour either working or parenting, your identity starts to flatten. You’re not just Joe (or whatever your name is) or Dad, you’re Snack Dispenser, Taxi Service, Wiper of Crumbs.
Sometimes, boredom is your brain’s way of asking for variety, challenge, or connection on your terms. That could mean carving out an hour to do something creative, meeting a mate for a proper chat, or even just reading something that isn’t The Gruffalo.
So What Can You Do?
Here are a few things that have helped me feel less like a passenger in the parenting machine:
- Lower the bar. You don’t have to find joy in everything. You’re not a bad parent if you find soft play insufferable or would rather chew tinfoil than do another puzzle.
- Mix it up. Even a small change in routine can help. Take a new walking route. Let your kid pick your lunch. Listen to a podcast while pushing the swing.
- Let yourself be silly. When I give in to the ridiculousness—doing daft voices, joining in games instead of half-watching—I often end up having more fun. Not always. But sometimes.
- Talk to other dads. Not in a “dad’s support group” way (unless that’s your thing), but just a WhatsApp moan or quick pint where you can say, “Is it just me or…?” and realise it’s definitely not just you.
- Hold on to you. You’re still the person who liked music, films, tinkering with bikes, or going to gigs. Keep a thread to that self, even if it’s only once a month.
There’s a weird pressure in parenthood to find joy in every moment. But that’s not how life works—and it’s not how love works either. Nobody expects you to enjoy every second of your job, your marriage, or your commute. Parenting should be no different.
You’re allowed to feel bored. You’re allowed to want a break. You’re allowed to not want to pretend to be a pirate at 6:40am on a Wednesday.
Because boredom isn’t a failure of parenting—it’s just a sign that you’re in the thick of it. And that you’re still in there, underneath it all, trying your best.