[momraine]

What activities do you have your kids involved in (or plan to when they come home)?
Do you think there is any such thing as too many or not enough? Are they good for kids or not?

[Kama]

Definitely, there is such a thing as TOO MANY, it puts too much pressure on both kids and parents. We usually have one or two activities for each. Currently, this is what we do:

Our son (10 yrs old): is playing baseball (in the fall he played soccer, and during the first year he attended art classes)

Our daughter (5 yrs old): swim lessons 2x a week and ballet once a week (she did not attend any activities during the first year).

We believe that kids need unstructured time to get creative, to simply play at home or outside with neighbors' friends.

[LisArno]

I agree with Kama in that some kids are involved in way too many activities. It becomes a juggling act for parents and then there is limited family time. Currently, all five of us eat together at least six nights a week, and I feel this family time is important. Although this may not always be possible when our oldest daughter gets into high school, we are off to a good start.

Since I am a teacher and on average stay at least an hour after the students leave, I let my 5th grade daughter be involved in three after school activities (all at school). Due to not completing schoolwork, lying to me about doing it, and being extremely rude to an educational aide all within four days, she lost one of those activities. We had a big talk about lying and the importance of school work (two incomplete assignments kept her off the honor roll). Within the next two days she lied to the aide about something I did not say and then lied again about completing school work, so that dropped her down to one activity. She now has more time to complete her schoolwork She moves on to our middle school next year - yikes! I believe extra curricular activities are important, so she will be able to choose one for the fall.

Like Kama, I also believe in the importance of play/creative time. My four and five year olds are masters at creative play (my oldest daughter reported they didn't have any toys in their original home in Poland) and can entertain themselves/each other for hours.

[yusen]

I also try to limit the activities in which my oldest 2 want involvement in..It seems as though everytime they come home from school,,they want me to sign them up for this or that...This year However,,My youngest Daughter 5 goes to Gymnastics 3 times a week for 30mins per session, we also frequent the library for Family Readings..My Oldest Daughter takes after-school art classes from 3:20 til 4:20 every Tuesday,,My Son,, since he loves building with Legos,,also goes to the Library at least twice a week or whenever they have Lego Competitions from 6:00 to 7:00 each time..It also gives my Girls time at the Library to either Read,Color,or play games online..
If it were up to my Oldest two to pick additional activities consisting of ( My Son ) Guitar Lessons,Cub Scouts,,,,( My Oldest ) Soccer,Tennis,,and Basketball,,I donot think I would ever be able to handle the runnings around,and I enjoy spending the more close-knit family time..I never want to be a Mom that doesnt encourage thier children for thier growing stimulations,,I just want them to slow down some and enjoy life,,and maybe find 1 or 2 things that they really ,,really ,,fit them,,.I did Promise my Son and Youngest Daughter they could join little League next year,,,and I also mentioned to my oldest we will consider getting her Tennis Lessons...
I too have Dinner with my Children Every night,,once in a While, I surprise my kids after they come home from school,,I will take them out to Dinner,,and go and watch the planes take off,,to me,,I think these are the things kids really remember most,spending time,and reflecting back on thier childhood with thier Mom....

[amyfk]

Hi,

I am a SAHM to an only child. Therefore we have the time/money for extracurricular activities. That being said, I agree that you want to have a good balance for the kids, not too much to do or to little. I also am trying to figure out where my child's abilities and interests lay, so far it's still a little early to tell, although she seems athletic.
My child is in a transition class at the synagogue. It is basically a class where they sing songs, do art, go to the gym, etc. This class is the precursor to preschool at the synagogue and part of the class the children go in alone without the parents-in preparation for preschool.
My child takes swimming lessons at the local gym. Although she is two, they do swimming readiness lessons. At our gym they wait until the child is 3 to start actual swim lessons.
Lastly, she goes to a class at the Little Gym, which is a gymnastics/tumbling academy. This she seems to really love.
My IA doctor told me not to get my child involved in too much when she first came home from Russia. As she was home around 5-6 mo. we got her involved in more stuff.
Amy K, NJ

[lastpaige]

My boys have been home for almost 6 months.

Since they never had anything in Poland, it doesn’t occur to them to ask to ‘do’ anything. Also, since we home educate, there is no pressure or demand to be signed up for this activity or that sport. Thank God, because they’ve been busy enough just learning the language, building some character, and learning about life in a family! (Not to mention managing dental work, balancing neurotransmitters, getting glasses, working on speech, etc. etc. etc.)

In the future, I can definitely see them playing football, and they are showing some interest in piano. (The girls play violin and viola, so the boys see the piano when the teacher accompanies the girls during lessons. While I dream of a string quartet, I’m not holding my breath.)

Yes, too many activities are bad business for anyone, young or old. While I can see the benefits of extra-curricular type things for children, they always have to be tempered with being sure that the main input into the child is still the parent – not the teacher, not the classmates, not the teammates, etc.

As for not enough activities – sometimes it’s a good lesson to be bored! But only if you’re paying very close attention – when they are too bored for too long a time, that’s trouble!

[momraine]

Lets see my oldest is in high school now. He does band and Tennis and church youth group. Band and Tennis are part of school.
My Junior high son does football, basketball and track (all in school and not all at once) and band and dance. Dance he has been doing for years and here in our small town is only once a week and he does church stuff.
My daughter does dance and will start cheer next year plus church stuff. Her dance too is once a week, though she would love to do a more intensive program, there isn't one here. Dance is her passion and when she gets older. She also is involved in church.
My youngest so far only does church stuff and baseball. Baseball for him is challanger league, its for disabled children. It's only twice a week and only for May and June, but he loves it. Several children are in wheelchairs and the goal is fun.

[LisArno]

Momraine - That's great that your son has a sport that he is able to participate in!!!