BellaOnline Forums Family Moms Your thoughts on extra-curricular activities

What do you think about the schedules of children? Are your children busy every day after school? Do you require them to participate in at least one thing? Are you an under scheduler?

There is a new book out - Jack Strong Takes a Stand - that provides a hilarious and realistically alarming look at over-scheduled children.

Jack Strong Takes a Stand - Book Review

Do you over schedule your children?

Do you under schedule your children?

Hi Lisa, A topic I am frequently thinking about. Each of my 3 kids are in 2 things, which for them and their personalities, seems to be the right amount. It means I often feel I am overscheduled but I don't feel that any of them are. And I feel they are learning valuable things through their various extra-curriculars and that they really enjoy them.

Each of them has at least one sport or physical activity (such as dance) each season, and I feel that is very important in terms of them letting off steam, and also to augment the lack of physical education they get in schools these days. Then they each have something else that is just for fun that they have picked (a play, art, lego class etc.) and things change each season for the most part.

I think it really depends on the kid. I was involved in a lot of activities growing up and I loved them, and a lot of them have influenced my own activities as an adult - they have become hobbies or things I enjoy watching (dance, gymnastics etc.) But if a kid feels burdened, or isn't getting enough sleep, or enough time to do homework, or enough time to just relax, then clearly it's a problem. Mine are still young though (7-9), so we will see when they get older - I know a lot of moms of high schoolers who feel it's just out of control.

Ha! Lisa, I agree with you. It really depends on the kid. Though I'm laughing because - When you have three children and each are in two activities, it's the mom who feels it!!

I have four children - two of whom like to do things and two of whom do not. Even if my children each do one thing - that adds a lot to the schedule (mine, mostly).

My children - thankfully - all have an activity on the same day, at the same place - so that makes it easier.

My oldest son is a soccer player but he is taking the year off because he is studying for his Bar Mitzvah. I was willing to work something out, but he elected to take the year off. I admire his decision but also see the need for him to be physical and let off steam! (good point you made) He has started doing some conditioning training on his own, and I think he needs that!!

PS - Can't the high schoolers drive themselves to their activities? We are not there yet either. (12, 11, 8, 7)