Too many activities in one day or push through?

[Anonymous]

My 4yo has a double header of ballet class / soccer game Saturday morning. She was invited to a classmate’s bday party after the soccer game and we’re planning to go. She just got home from school with another bday party invite for Saturday afternoon, this one for a classmate she is super close to.

Am I nuts to have her cram in ballet, a soccer game, and two birthday parties in one day? Sports are 9:00-10:00 and 10:30-11:30; first party is 11:00-1:00 (we’d go late direct from her game); second party is 3:00-5:00. Both parties are also physical; one is a playground party and the other is at a jump place. Skip course wants to do everything. Would you skip the second party? Or see if she can soldier through and just toss her in bed early that night?

[Anonymous]

One of my kids would rally, one would not. Is she a kid with stamina?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't skip the parties. I'd skip at least the soccer game, if not both ballet and soccer. One missed class isn't anything at this age.

[Anonymous]

I'd do the ballet class and the bounce zone party for sure. Ballet class is early and won't be as exhausting as the other stuff (4yo ballet is usually actually like 15-20 minutes of dance instructions coupled with story time and some games -- it's not taxing). The bounce zone party will be special and if it's a good friend she really won't want to miss.

For the soccer game, I'd probably show up late so she still got to play but was not running around for an hour. Again, this is 4yo soccer. The stakes are low. She wants to see her friends and participate but you don't need to be there for an hour.

Same with the earlier birthday party. A playground party is low-key. Show up late, let her play for a bit, see her friend, get a cupcake, but be ready to pull the plug so she's not exhausted for the other party. This is probably the one I'd be most likely to skip altogether (and let the family know of course) simply because it's sandwiched in between two very high energy activities and is the part of the day most likely to result in some kind of meltdown.

This is why we didn't do soccer at 4. Unlike a dance or gymnastics class, there is often more pressure to show up for practices games (and more pressure to volunteer to coach and referee) which creates a lot of pressure on your schedule. I preferred activities we could bail on when necessary without impacting anyone else. 4 is very young.

[Anonymous]

Sure, just chill between parties.

[Anonymous]

I would do one of the sports (ballet or soccer) and one of the bday parties. That’s too much.

[Anonymous]

All four of my kids would want to power through, but for one of them, I'd skip the soccer game.

[Anonymous]

Skip soccer and proceed.

[Anonymous]

Thanks from OP. I would normally totally skip the soccer game but it’s the last game and they’re doing a little award ceremony so we are on the hook. She is adamant that she can handle ballet and soccer + 2 parties. I think we’ll push and if she can’t make it to the second party then we pull the plug or just make a short appearance. Then chill evening at home and early to bed (for me too!).

[Anonymous]

Realistically, if they are doing an awards thing after their "game", soccer will probably run late. You'll just be making an appearance at the 1st party by then and it will be over. The kids will also probably have already run around on the playground for awhile and it will be time for pizza and cupcakes by the time you get there. If anything, I'd skip ballet.

[Anonymous]

My kids would power through. Might nap in car on way to second party, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks from OP. I would normally totally skip the soccer game but it’s the last game and they’re doing a little award ceremony so we are on the hook. She is adamant that she can handle ballet and soccer + 2 parties. I think we’ll push and if she can’t make it to the second party then we pull the plug or just make a short appearance. Then chill evening at home and early to bed (for me too!).

Is the time for soccer you gave the play time + the award ceremony? Because otherwise, you're already eating an hour+ into party #1. I guess since it's a playground, the headcount doesn't matter as much, but I wouldn't count it as a huge energy suck, since your kid will mostly just be there for lunch and a cupcake.

[Anonymous]

If it’s for our kids we will do both classes then arrive both parties late, arrive at 12pm for 1st then 2nd at 4pm, this way kid would more likely to play short time then eat and rest but still have fun with other kids.

[Anonymous]

This makes me tired just thinking about it. It sounds like your kid wants to power through - I’d provide lots of healthy snacks through the day and rest whenever possible. Hopefully your Sunday is a zero outing 100% rest day.

[Anonymous]

I would try and do it all but tell the parties that you are a maybe, in case a car nap or a break is needed