Name: Vicki
Dallas, TX
Number of kids: 2
Problem: My daughter wants to join everything. She is already in bible group, soccer, 4H, horse back riding lessons, and now she wants to join Campfire. Are all these activities good for her, they are hectic for me. But is it my job to "expose" her to lots of experiences. At what point is it too much? Am I letting her "be a child" or am I just coordinating her free time.
Solution submitted by Kathi from Falling Waters, WV: We have a similar problem in our house. My daughters are involved in outside activities -- my older daughter rides horses, & my younger daughter is in competitive gymnastics. In the winter, my gymnast has practice 4 evenings a week, & at least one gymnastics meet a month; in the summer, my horseback rider rides, grooms, shows, & does everything she possibly can do with horses. I'm also a single parent who works full-time at home. Our solution? First, keep the chores to a minimum! Does it really have to be done? Sure, my house usually looks like a bomb went off inside it, but when my kids have gone away to college, I'll have the cleanest house in the country! Until then, it's bare minimum for me. Second, the kids know that on their days at home, they have chores to do. Maybe they only put their laundry away every 10 days or so (& the rest of the time live out of the laundry basket), but they know that when they're home, there are things they're expected to do. Also, they're pretty good about trading off -- my older daughter has more chores in the winter, when she's home more, but she knows that in the summer, my other daughter picks up her slack (required). That's just the way it is! If they want to continue with their "life's passions" -- gymnastics & horses -- as well as various academic activities that they love to do, they know what they have to do at home. We've also learned very creative ways of squeezing in chores! Hope that helps!
Another solution submitted by Renee from Emmett, ID: I think that in today's society we sometimes do get involved in too many things. My kids are extremely busy and it does keep me running in circles trying to keep up with who needs to be where and when. However, I like to look at it in a positive manner. If they are doing community or school things, they are usually supervised by myself or some other adult, and I know where they are. My kids are now old enough that if they are not doing something constructive, the potential for destructive behavior increases. When they were younger, we limited the amount of activities and clubs more than we do now. If you and your child can handle all the running and keep the academics in force, why not. Just don't end up resenting having to do too much! Good luck.
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