I don't want to be one of those people whose kids are involved in too many activities.
When Noah was in Kindergarten, there was an after-school running club that he wanted to join. I encouraged him because I felt like it was time for him to have something extracurricular to do, even though it was very inconvenient to pick him up from running club right in the middle of his twin sisters' all-important afternoon nap. When it became not fun for him anymore (all the other kids could run faster than him, as he was smaller and younger than his classmates) and increasingly inconvenient for me, we started talking about calling it quits. Then when I talked to a fellow Kindergartener-mom friend of mine, who told me that her kids weren't in running club because it's more important for them to spend time at home (and she quoted the Proclamation on the Family), I decided I didn't need to feel guilty about Noah not being all involved; the decision was finalized and Noah stopped running club.
Fast-forward to this week. On Tuesday, Noah had basketball and Molly had her piano lesson. On Wednesday, Zoe and Lucy had ballet, Molly had her first (real!) soccer practice, and Noah had his piano lesson. On Thursday, Molly had her "kiddie kickers" soccer skills community class. Today (Friday) Zoe and Lucy have a birthday party to attend, and on Saturday Molly has a soccer game and Noah has a birthday party to attend. On top of that, I have my usual schedule of teaching piano on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons and working at Zoe & Lucy's preschool on Thursday mornings.
Have we crossed the line? Are we doing too much?
But they all really LOVE the activities they're involved in. Zoe & Lucy get so excited to show us their new ballet moves. Molly did her soccer team chant in the car the whole way home from practice (Go Tigers! ROAR!!) and wore her new uniform around the house this afternoon just for fun. Noah and Molly have actually been fighting over who gets dibs to practice the piano. And Noah wants to play one-on-one b-ball with either Aaron or I every chance he can get.
Granted, with the birthday parties this week, there is more going on than usual. But just with having each kid involved in one or two extracurriculars, it's getting mighty trafficky around here. And from what I hear, it only gets worse as the kids get older. I was thinking last night about the importance of having family dinners together, which we always do... so maybe that will help with determining how busy is too busy: if we can still have dinner together at least 5 or 6 nights out of the week, if the kids have time to do their homework, and if they are able to get enough sleep, then I think we're doing okay.
Do you agree?
(And keep in mind, I don't take criticism very well...)
Friday, April 4, 2008
Too much yet?
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9 comments:
I can't believe your kids are involved in so many things. That is awful! My kids stay home every afternoon and I am constantly entertaining them. What is wrong with you Sara?! Ha ha. Yeah right!
I can't believe all of extracurricular things my children are involved in and the oldest is only 6. I can't imagine what it will be like when they are older.
Good for you that you all have dinner together almost every night! I think the important thing is that you are still connected as a family and all those activities aren't intruding on that. It sounds like you are doing a great job at keeping it all balanced.
There's a lady in my ward with 6 kids, 5 are boys. She told me that she lets each one do one sporty thing and one musical thing. I don't know how she even handles that! But she also doesn't allow play dates during the week, since there's really no time for it.
I always wonder how kids get to learning more than 1 instrument AND play sports. It seems like it might get easier when the sport or music thing is taught at school, since then you'll just have to pick them up late or drop them off early.
So - I guess my answer is, I don't know. I often wonder the same thing about my own life, because there are SOOOO many things I want to do, and there just doesn't seem to be enough time!
I agree with Leigh. One music lesson and one sport is fine. Yes, it is crazy and you seem to be running around all the time. But that's life with 4 kids, right? A few months ago I was complaining to Eric on a day where I had a lot of driving -- school, preschool, kid classes, etc. He goes, "Welcome to being a mom" with no sympathy in his voice. Yeah, thanks buddy. But he's right. That's why I didn't sign up Brooklyn for the same soccer that Molly and Tyson are doing. She already has 2 extra classes right now. I think you guys are pretty busy, but it's totally not overboard. Don't worry. You're good.
i think as long as your kids are happy and enjoying all of their activities, it's fine.
I completely agree with you. It really doesn't seem like too much to me. We all have weeks that are crazier than others. As long as you don't let the really important things (eating dinner together, family prayers and scripture study, FHE...) become taken over by the extra stuff, you're doing good. It sounds like you're doing a good job of keeping it all balanced.
It is important to have your family all home together sometimes (that's what the 'day of rest' is for, right?), but it's also important to let your kids get good at things and see how much their family loves and supports them enough to sit through piano recitals and cheer at soccer games. Just think of when they're teenagers and wondering if they're worth anything. It will really help their self esteem to think of those talents they've developed and know they're good at something. It sounds like you're doing great, Sara! My mom told me once you make having 4 kids look easy and I agree.
You guys are all so nice! Maybe the next Happiness Tip will be "Fish for compliments" :)
Sound like you're busy, but everyone is happy.
I've got to get the boys started in soccer, but I either missed the sign ups or something cuz the earliest sign up I'm finding is for fall soccer. Ugh. Newborn.
Kids need to have activities so they can learn skills and fun. What I hate is when church schedules too many extra things on top of everything else. Our RS is crazy for enrichment--last month they had four activities within a 10 day period. What's up with the enrichment sadists?
Good for you getting your kids into things they love.
The fact that you are wondering where the line should be lets me know that you will determine what is best for your family and make the right choices. You're a great mom Sara
You're so funny. It seems like a lot to you because you're doing so much more than ever before. But if you break it down, kid by kid, it's really NOT that much. Particularly since YOU are your children's piano teacher. I think it sounds like the perfect amount, and I know the kids LOVE all of the things they are involved in.
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