Are Your Kids’ Lives Too Complicated?
Parenting expert Stacy DeBroff on the importance of scheduling wisely
As the parent of two children, I experience the reality of activity mania every day. Kids’ schedules today resemble the calendars of high-powered CEOs — with sports leagues, after-school activities and organized playdates replacing the unstructured playtime that we remember from our own childhoods. It’s no wonder that our kids burn out: Childhood has become training for the marathon of adulthood.
It’s easy to overload your kids on activities because they all sound so good. Whether this is because we want to help our children succeed later in life or we’re feeling pressure to keep up with other busy families, it seems that becoming a part of the activity craze is practically inevitable. But a little goes a long way. Your child will likely rebel if every minute of her week is scheduled, even if she enjoys the activities.
Luckily, as a parent, you have the ability to influence the way your child spends her time. However, that power to inspire your child also means being careful to send the right messages about activities. If you fear she’ll “lose out” by not starting golf at age 3, step back and re-evaluate your definition of success: Is it more important for her to be a good person or to have an extensive extracurricular résumé? And remember, you turned out just fine!
About the author: Stacy DeBroff is president and founder of momcentral.com, a company devoted to providing tips and advice to strengthen busy families and enhance the home environment.
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