Too many activities?

Today’s children are often overscheduled, creating stress for both parents and students. It’s important for parents to discern which activities they are signing up their children for and why. With older children and teens, allowing choice is great, but helping them to understand what is a reasonable amount to take on is equally important.

With young children, remember that their work is play. Directing it too much can impinge on their creativity. Some cities are even moving to more creative playground options, where the children actually build the play structure themselves with a kit of foam blocks and other materials (see: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2007398,00.html). Providing opportunities for this type of play encourages problem-solving, cooperation,
assertiveness, and creativity.

Older children and teens need down time, too. Boredom for them is often a precursor to coming up with a creative idea. Too much down time and too much boredom can lead to poor choices and poor use of impulsivity, but allowing some unstructured time for most children and teens is not a bad thing.

Important questions for parents to ask are:

• Does this activity support the values we adhere to in our family?
• Are there opportunities for growth, skills, and friendships that will benefit my child?
• Do I want my child to do this because he or she would enjoy it or grow from it, or because I am trying to look like a “great parent”? Is it truly for my child or is it for my need to look good?
• Does my child have the time and energy to do this activity well and participate to the level expected? Do I?
•  Am I trying to do the same thing for each child, when they may have
  different temperaments and needs?
• What is the worse thing that could happen if we choose not to continue
  this activity? What’s the best thing that could happen?

If you are unsure whether your child is involved in too many activities, check out
these warning signs from scholastic.com:

• • Does he act grouchy, mopey, or irritable?
  • Can she fall asleep at bedtime?
  • Are his grades slipping? Does he finish his homework?
  • Has she started overeating?
  •  Does he zone out in front of the TV?
  •  Is she complaining of stomachaches, headaches, or mysterious illnesses?
  •  Does he grumble about being bored?
  •  Is she over-anxious about getting approval from authority figures?
  •  When you're heading out the door, does he throw a tantrum or "lose"
                equipment?
  •  Does she pick fights with her siblings or complain you don't love her as much?
  •  Can he keep track of where he's supposed to be?
  •  Is her schedule draining you or your family members?

If your child exhibits a few or more of these on a regular basis, it may be time to consider cutting back.

Next: Daily Debrief

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