A blog by Colleen Noll

Hey Parents,

Last time we talked about why boredom feels uncomfortable at first; and why that restless stretch is actually the beginning of something good. Today I want to show you what that “something good” can look like in real life.

These are a few true stories from our own MPO6 household. No perfect parenting here. Just regular family life, a little creativity, and a lot of ordinary moments that turned out better without screens.

The Refrigerator Box That Took Over Summer

One summer a large refrigerator box made its way into my son Adam’s room… and it never left.

What started as a simple cardboard box quickly became a fort, a spaceship, and eventually an elaborate maze. Adam cut several holes in the sides and ran string through them that connected all the way to his bedroom door. From inside the box he could pull the string and open the door. It was equal parts engineering project and secret hideout.

That box stayed in his room the entire summer. Friends who came over (which was pretty much every weekend) immediately wanted to crawl inside, add their own ideas, and expand the maze. No one asked for a tablet. The box was the main attraction.

Looking back, that single piece of cardboard gave the kids hours of problem-solving, storytelling, and pure imaginative play. It cost nothing and required almost no setup from us, just the willingness to let it stay and take over a corner of the room.

Family Dinner, Green Things, and Loud Dishes

Weekend after weekend, friends joined us around the table. We had a few simple, non-negotiable habits:

• We always ate together as a family.
• No phones or devices were allowed at the table.
• Everyone had to put something green on their plate… and actually eat it.

After dinner the kids handled the dishes together. They turned on loud music, made a bit of a mess, and somehow got the job done. It was noisy and imperfect, but it worked.

More importantly, it became a shared rhythm they actually looked forward to.

Those dinners and cleanup sessions taught connection, contribution, and the simple joy of being together without screens competing for attention.

Country Music and Three Guesses

I love country music, so our long car rides to and from school became a game. Everyone in the car got three guesses about which songs would play next. Even the kids who pretended they didn’t care still leaned in and called out their predictions.

It was simple. It was free. And it turned ordinary drives into something we all participated in together. No one needed a personal screen when we were busy trying to outsmart the radio.

Art Night and the Flop Room

Saturday nights became Art Night. We pulled out paint, canvases, and whatever supplies we had. Everyone created something; no pressure, no right or wrong.

Over time the TV and video game room (we called it the “Flop Room”) ended up covered from top to bottom with everyone’s artwork. We only had two rules:

1. No putting anyone’s art down.
2. No covering up anyone’s art.

That tradition lasted for years. The walls became a living record of our family and friends creativity. What started as a simple evening activity turned into a space that celebrated effort and individuality instead of passive entertainment.

What These Stories Have in Common

None of these moments required expensive toys or elaborate plans. They grew out of a little space, a little boredom, and the decision not to fill every quiet gap with a screen.

• A cardboard box became a summer-long adventure
• Family dinners became connection
• Car rides became games
• Saturday nights became art

When we give children room to get a little restless, they often surprise us with what they create.

You don’t need a refrigerator box or a dedicated “Flop Room” to make this work in your home. You just need a willingness to let some moments stay open long enough for something better than a screen to appear.

These are the stories I hope stay with our kids long after the devices have changed. Real connection. Real creativity. Real ordinary days that somehow became memorable.

And the best part? You can start writing your own versions of these stories right now.

With love, a soft spot for cardboard, and plenty of paint-splattered memories,

Colleen Noll

MSOSV Founder & proud MPO6 mom

Next up: How we as parents can put our own phones down without losing our minds. See you soon!