Letting Kids Be Bored (Without Feeling Like a Bad Parent) with Lizzie Assa

Episode 82. What do you do when your child says, "I'm bored" — and why does that moment feel so hard? In this episode of Play on Words, Beth Gaskill sits down with Lizzie Assa (@theworkspaceforchildren), early childhood educator, parenting strategist, and founder of The Workspace for Children, to talk about her upcoming book But I'm Bored! [https://amzn.to/3NaKnHl] https://amzn.to/3NaKnHl Together, they explore why boredom isn't something parents need to fix, how independent play builds confidence and creativity, and what it actually looks like to step back without guilt. This conversation is practical, research-aligned, and grounded in real life — not perfection or Pinterest setups. If you've ever felt pressure to constantly entertain your child, this episode offers permission (and tools) to do things differently. ⸻  In This Episode, You'll Learn: •    Why "I'm bored" is an opportunity, not a problem •    What independent play really means (and what it doesn't) •    How to support play without over-directing or hovering •    Why stepping back helps kids — and parents — thrive ⸻  About the Host Miss Beth is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and the founder of Big City Readers. She supports parents in raising confident, capable kids through research-backed literacy and development strategies.  Follow Miss Beth: •    Instagram: @bigcityreaders •    Website: bigcityreaders.com [http://bigcityreaders.com/] •    Podcast: Play on Words from Big City Readers