Just Say No
Kids Need Time to Rest & Reflect
You’ve probably heard that modern families are often over-programmed, over-scheduled and that kids “don’t know how to be bored.”
Some parents are concerned that if they don’t have their kid registered in soccer, art class, violin, and French lessons, they:
a) won’t keep up with their peers
b) will get bored, or
c) won’t excel at athletics, academics or the arts
This may be true but it’s also true that an over-scheduled child can feel anxious, depressed, detached and under pressure.
All kids (but especially those who are neurodivergent, have learning disabilities or social anxiety) can feel drained just from attending school. They need time to rest, decompress, and reflect.
When my kids were younger, I registered both for a few extra-curricular activities — Scouts and swimming during the winter and tennis or dance during the summer.
Honestly, at times I too felt like we weren’t keeping up with Joneses (er…Kardashians?) but we didn’t necessarily have the time, money, or energy to do “all the things.”
And, even with our very basic activity routine, I often felt conflicted, rushed, and anxious. It seemed like one of my kids was either sick, didn’t want to go to said activity, or some scheduling conflict would pop up.
After a few years of this, I reached a breaking point and remember thinking: “That’s it! No more pre-scheduled activities.” And, truly, that was it.
And you know what? It was okay. No one lagged behind due to “under-scheduling.” We still went out often as a family — it just wasn’t a registered activity.
All of this is to say: Please don’t feel guilty, give into adult peer pressure and feel that you need to schedule your children to death - that’s hard on you, your bottom line, and your kids.
If your kid really wants to try something (and you can afford the time and money to do it) then, by all means, sign ‘er up! In the end, we should do what’s right for our child - and that’s going to be unique to each family.
Be well, fellow digital villager…
Lisa