PP here, exactly. And her activity is what makes her happy! She says it’s one of her happy places and she also gifted at it. We still get plenty of quality time together. Some kids thrive off of being busy, some don’t. But what I’m NOT going to do is tell her she can’t do something that makes her happy because I don’t want to drive her there or wait in my car. |
Everyone has such a different perspective. I would think a kid who does well in school, plays a few sports, speaks another language and plays an instrument would be a well balanced kid. |
I think you're referring to what some ppl call well rounded. I don't think kids need all of these activities for that, but that could probably be another debate. I was referring to kids having a better balance with their time. |
If you cannot understand what kids gain from it, then you really shouldn't be a tutor giving advice. |
Right the alternative is to say no to them and let them hang out on video games. |
Or limit the video games? |
New poster here With the middle schoolers I've worked with, there is a difference in teamwork and problem solving ability among -kids left to play video games and watch YouTube vs -kids who got lots of unstructured time with other kids vs -kids always in sports and structured activities rather than free play. From what I've witnessed, the free play angle with a few activities is where I'm aiming my family. All structured grown-up led activities like sports teams doesn't give kids enough agency to solve problems or figure out what to do when they're bored. |
I think the kid could be both well balanced and well rounded. My oldest is ambitious and wants to go to an ivy for college. He does a ton. I wish he were back in elementary where people like OP may think he is over scheduled. If you think those kids are over scheduled in elementary, wait until they are in high school. My youngest gets the short end of the stick because older siblings often get priority. |
Yes, I'm sure the YouYube watchers are really going to take over in the next generation. I've seen the crap my kids watch and it's not going to make them into problem solvers. On the contrary, the YouTube and video gamers have no idea what to do when they are bored because they are addicted to screens and need to be entertained every second. They can't even go out to dinner with their family without needing a device because it's "boring". People now hand babies in strollers phones to scroll lest they be bored for a second. So, spare us your observations. |
Not a teacher, but it's both screens and the onslaught of a everything having to be organized and scheduled for kids thsee days. They don't know what to do left to their own devices because they're being constantly "entertained" with screens and/or activities. |
And, yet here you are on your device. Too bad you have no life long hobbies. |
Sounds like what OP wanted too, but there’s no one around for her kids to free play with. So you are back to square one. |
It depends on the neighborhood. We used to live in a lower SES neighborhood that had a lot of apartments and townhouses. There were always kids playing outside. Now we live in an area of single family homes that also cost more so not as many younger families. There are far fewer kids so less kids. If there are 100 kids in a townhouse community, you can find someone to play with. If there are only 10 kids in your neighborhood, the chance of the time you knock on door and kid available is a lot less. The area around our elementary is full of walkers. The kids in that neighborhood play outside plenty. Much of the playing hangs out immediately after school with walkers. My kid used to ask me if he could stay to go to his friend’s house near the school. He still does the same now that he is in middle school. My friend lives in Arlington and is also a walker. She said her kids have many friends who are walking distance and often play right after school. |
I'm partipating in a thread and responded to a comment. From that, you got that I'm on a device all the time? No one should be on a screen all the time, especially kids. |
Won’t they all just figure it out of they have to? This isn’t something i would worry about. |