But I'm Bored!

Good Inside meets Fair Play in this inspiring, real-world guide to fostering independent play in children—both as a vital skill for kids’ development and an essential act for modern parents’ well-being and sanity.

“But I’m bored.” Parents constantly hear these three dreaded words from their kids, and it’s no secret why—our kids don’t know how to play by themselves anymore and make their own fun. Busy schedules, on-demand screens, and safety concerns have transformed the landscape of play for children today, and parents have been unfairly expected to fill in the gap. We love our kids, but we don’t need to play with them 24/7 to be a good parent!

Independent play is Lizzie Assa’s specialty, and she has become the go-to expert on the topic to the 200K parents who follow her on Instagram and the 20K newsletter subscribers who get her weekly updates and ideas. The key, she argues, is to prioritize independent, unstructured play. The result: kids can develop their imagination…and parents can enjoy some precious, much-needed time to themselves!

In “But I’m Bored!”, Assa shows exactly how to strike this balance. Through high-impact, low-effort strategies, parents learn how to create play pockets in their home, choose open-ended toys that spark imagination, set play boundaries (and stick to them), and enforce the wonders of quiet time. Then, when parents do engage in play time with their kid, it doesn’t feel like a job—it strengthens their relationship to their child and helps cultivate an overall happier, healthier environment for the whole family.

“But I’m Bored!” isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about freeing your child to be authentically themselves…so you can be the best version of yourself. Because doesn’t every child (and parent) deserve that?

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs