Wednesday, October 3, 2018

6 Things That Happen When Your Kids Don't Have A Hobby

Model building. Running. Shopping. Knitting. Craft.


The list of popular hobbies is long. However, it’s fair to say that there is such a variety of hobbies that most people feel
comfortable naming at least a couple of them on their resumes. Having hobbies is perceived as a way to add a new
dimension to your profile. And everybody knows that over 50% of all CVs lie about their hobbies just in an attempt to build
up an irresistible profile. ‘Hire me; I love hockey.’ It's never announced as clearly as that, though. But more often than not,
fake hobbies are added to highlight personality traits that you feel would fit with the company. Besides, it’s also a great way
of creating a bond with the recruiter – especially if you know the employer is into specific sports or activities – in the hope of
getting invited to a first interview. Ultimately, when nothing else differentiates resumes, sometimes your hobbies can get your
one foot in the door. It’s not enough to land a job, but it’s enough to give you a chance.


Picking a hobby


In short, hobbies matter, including fake ones. For a lot of adults, it’s easier to invent hobbies for their resumes than to admit
that they might not have any activity or interest aside from work. Even though hobbies shouldn't affect your professional
performance, there’s the fear that not having any hobby can make you look two-dimensional. And there’s some truth in this
feeling. The lack of hobbies is harmful at any age. While we’ve discussed in a previous article why your kids should have
hobbies, here is a brief overview of what happens when they don’t.


#1. Hobbies are important for their development
For children, a hobby is an essential part of their personal growth. Developing a hobby – or several – gives kids a healthy
way in which they can express their feelings and creatively. From painting to kicking a ball, there is a level of personal
expression that may not be easy to read for an external observer, but that needs to be channeled from your kid’s perspective.
Bering active, either creatively or physically – or both – can let them share what words wouldn’t otherwise express.
In stressful situations, a hobby doesn’t only encourage a child to put their emotions out there, but it can also significantly
reduce stress levels. The chance to develop their confidence and discipline – you need to practice your hobby to become
good at it – also encourages personal growth. In other words, the lack of hobbies can affect their individual development as
a person.


#2. Increased risk of accidents at home
What do children do when they have no interest? They wander aimlessly at home, looking for ideas and things to do. As a
result, they are more likely to engage in potentially dangerous activities – not out of recklessness but as a result of boredom.
A child who’s bored can interact with items of the household without engaging their intellect. Doors can be accidentally
locked; the oven is turned on without noticing; a screwdriver is pushed into a socket without any reason. In the long term,
the absence of hobbies can affect your child safety at home. Childproofing your property is essential, but there is only so
much you can do. Keeping your kid active can reduce the risk of accidents.  


#3. Lack of social abilities
Children who don’t embrace a hobby tend to spend more time alone. As hobbies bring essential social skills  – through a
variety of socially-focused activities such as theater, sports participation, or even game nights – the absence of hobbies
can leave a child feeling isolated and unprepared for future life. Indeed, without social skills, the integration within a
professional or neighbors’ community can be tricky – if not impossible – in later life. Social cues – such as being able to
work with a team and to adjust to other people’s feelings which are often effectively taught through hobbies – can be
irremediably missing.


#4. They are too easily influenced
Being influenced by others is the kind of situation nobody wants to be in. Indeed, peer pressure is almost everywhere in
your everyday life, whether it’s directly in the middle of road traffic or an office. A person who has failed to develop a strong
sense of self – one of the results of healthy self-growth through hobbies – can be tempted to ‘follow the movement’ and copy
others in an attempt to fit in. Unfortunately, while you need to cultivate certain parallelism in your behavior, relying too much
on others to take all the decisions in your life can have devastating consequences.


#5. They are more likely to develop unhealthy habits
‘Mom, I’m bored.’
‘Mom, I’m hungry.’
Have you noticed how kids tend to eat more when they are bored? When children have nothing to do – and hence when
they don’t have a hobby to entertain them – they often fall back on unhealthy options. Overeating is one of the most
common issues as a result of boredom. In fact, it’s likely that a vast part of the cases of child obesity is caused by a lack of
hobby. Additionally, other deliberately inactive and unhealthy habits can develop, such as watching TV – which can
accompany the consumption of extra food.  




#6. Conflicts can arise as a result
Boredom doesn’t only affect your child’s diet. Boredom is also linked to an increase in stress. Indeed, being bored can
create a state of stress that produces self-destructive feelings and anger. A child who struggles with boredom on a regular
basis can develop chronic stress which can lead to conflicts with parents, friends and teachers. Deprived of mental and
physical stimulation, the bored child can choose to blame you, his peers, and everyday figures of authorities for their situation.

Conflicts


Angry kids. Loss of self-confidence. Isolated individuals. Lack of personal growth. And many more. These are the possible
consequences of not encouraging your child to find hobbies from a young age. While adults can swap real hobbies for fake
ones that look trendy on resumes, you can’t use the same trick for kids. As a parent, your role is to help your child to grow
into the best possible person they could be, and that includes helping them to find hobbies.








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