Most of the parents I know work full time. Many have two or three children. I see them, standing by their cars like race car drivers waiting for a signal, cell phones in hand, trying to make this all work.
Most of the parents I know are also in two-parent households, which means there are two people with driver’s licenses and cell phones to help manage their kids’ busy lives. I’m a single parent, which means there is only one of me for the two of them. So it’s even more important that I don’t overwhelm myself.
We have conflicts all the time. Even when the “regular” schedules don’t conflict, the special events–concerts for example–throw a wrench into the works. The end of the school year, with sports banquets, parties for various clubs and activities, and concerts, is a nightmare. Some evenings this past spring we were triple-booked.
Learning More As Kids Grow Up Faster…
Are kids growing up too fast?
David Elkind’s book The Hurried Child offers insights and perspective on kids, parents, and
culture.
Does too much homework stress kids out? Tamim weighs in.
- Is it stress, or a learning problem? How to decide when to get your child’s IQ tested.
- The point is that you and your children should be enjoying these activities. They are supposed to enrich your lives.
- Examples: Sometimes I watch Robin practice soccer on a perfect fall day and I think, “It doesn’t get much better than this.” Or Akira comes home late from a chess tournament, and sets up the chessboard on my bed and replays his games for me. That’s when I realize why I want my children to have these experiences.
