Are The Kids Too Busy?

Why do parents sign their kids up for so many activities? There is an array of extracurricular activities, and parents seem to schedule all of them. It's no wonder moms and dads are constantly complaining they don't have any time. Between baseball, piano lessons, ballet, soccer, and many more, kids are being bombarded with activities. It used to be that kids were allowed one activity other than school during the school year and two during the summers. Now, many are participating in two or three during the school year, and many more during summer. Yes, they all say that they "want" to do these things, but parents have the responsibility to determine how much is too much. There are signs your child may be over scheduled.

If your child is struggling in school, look at what is going on in his life. Are there activities that can be cut, even for a short time, to assist your child in finding time to study and get enough sleep? Is your child complaining of being too tired or not wanting to go? Does your child seem to have a lot of headaches or stomachaches? This can be a sign of stress, lack of sleep, or missed meals. With families running in many different directions, there are too many times that meals are missed and families are not spending quality time together.

There are tips for busy families to cut back on activities, even when coaches or peers don't see it the same way. First, step back and evaluate all the activities in your home. The key is moderation. Determine what activities are appropriate for your child based on age, temperament, abilities, and interests. Then set reasonable limits on the extra activities so it is fun and memorable for you and your child.

Set ground rules, before signing up for anything. Determine how many days a week is a reasonable amount of time spent out of the home. It may be that there is only time for one sport each season, because practices and games are two or three times a week. Also, make sure that you and your child are aware of the time involved with the activities. It maybe that a sport requires practice three times a week for three hours at a time, are you and your child prepared for that? Will grades suffer because of it? Make sure each member in your family gets a reasonable share of activities. You don't want to cause resentment because one child seemed to get left behind. It's important to set up a calendar so everyone can see what is planned. If there is a free day, leave it alone! Everyone needs downtime. Make this "free" day a family day, so you get quality time with your entire family.

Activities are important for kids. Properly planned and executed, they can build confidence, motor skills, and knowledge. However, too many and you will defeat the purpose. Your child may become tired, depressed, or sick, and grades may suffer. Careful monitoring of the amount of time your child spends on extracurricular activities can assist your child in getting the most out of it. Don't let the "fun" become a burden. Slow down, take time to enjoy life and teach your child to enjoy life. This will be the greatest activity you offer your child.