Activity Overload: Are Kids Doing Too Much?

2008 January 28 by: Scott

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.

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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.