It's Friday morning... As I'm working at my computer, looking at the rain outside, I cannot help but pray for an overnight downpour that will cancel soccer games tomorrow. It would be really nice to be able to pick the kids up from school and let them relax before we go to dinner with family tonight. Then, not have to worry about being awake early to get to morning soccer games. I'm exhausted, so I know my kids must be exhausted... right?
The school week starts at 6:30am Monday... to school, then soccer practice, and not home till about 7:30/8pm. Don't forget homework, dinner, and showers. Tuesdays... school, cross-country training, hockey practice, not home till about 9:45/10pm. This type of schedule continues throughout the week. In one hand, I'm happy that we can do these activities for our children... On the other hand, I wonder if it's too much.
I tell myself, often, that the kids will appreciate the effort my husband and I put into their interests, maybe when they are older. I know that I am not forcing them to do anything, they chose to participate in these activities themselves. Before they commit to any activity, each boy is asked if they feel that they can handle the load and extra responsibility. School is their #1 responsibility, they know that... but joining a team makes sports #2. The boys understand that they are part of a team that needs them.
I want to research this subject more, but more importantly, I think the best thing - for my family - is to take it season by season. I think I WILL know if schedules get to hectic for my kids, and that's when I'll adjust accordingly. For now, I'm happy that we are creating family time, to go to each others games and support one another. Activities are great for social and emotional development. We will have free time, once in awhile, that will allow everyone to reboot. Till then, stay busy!
A study by the Society for Research in Child Development states that organized activities are good for kids. According to that study, kids who are engaged in 20 hours or more of scheduled activities a week -- only make up between 2 to 6 percent of the entire population. Those kids love what they are doing and are staying busy because they want to, not because their parents pressure them to, and not because they think it will make their college application look better.
The study finds that kids engaged in organized activities perform better academically than their peers who do not. Busy kids are more likely to get good grades, graduate from high school, go to college, and less likely to use drugs. In short, contrary to popular belief, participation in organized activities is associated with positive outcomes.
Following a long day of classes, kids need to do something completely different. This allows them to absorb information in a new way. Parents might see kids running around on the playground as a waste of time, but something important is happening during those moments: The child is learning and making decisions.
No comments:
Post a Comment