6yo DD is not interested in activities

[Anonymous]

I force her to do swimming lessons 1x/week. She initially shows interest when I mention a local class to her, or her friends mention something they are doing (like dance or basketball). Then she goes a few times and says she is bored and then I lose my money. She is an active, smart kid. Very limited screen time. Loves running around and reading and doing puzzles at home. Loves being in nature, though it’s a bit hard since it gets cold so soon after school and we are going through cold cycles.

Should I just stop signing her up for activities and wait until she matures enough to really know what she wants?

[Anonymous]

Yes, keep her in swimming and then let her take a break from the structured activities.

[Anonymous]

I'd stop suggesting/signing her up for stuff for now. My seven year old loves structured activities, so I'm happy to do it, but if she didn't? It's expensive and takes time and I'd drop it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, keep her in swimming and then let her take a break from the structured activities.

Agree. As long as screens don’t take the place of activity snd she can still amuse herself I would let her take a break too.

[Anonymous]

Don’t push it. Agree with others. Introduce her to things on your own and see if she likes anything.

[Anonymous]

Don't push it but do ask her what she doesn't like about these activities. It might be something you can address. My kid HATED soccer, loves ballet, turns out she prefers more structure (and more pink). Also she used to be very anti gymnastics but all the girls in ballet do it so now she wants to go. So it can shift.

I would also look into introductory camps instead of multi-week classes as a way to introduce her to new stuff. Less commitment for you and might give her more of a sampling. I signed my DD up for a musical theater camp this summer (going with the theme she seems to prefer artistic activities to straight sports). If she hates it, time commitment is lower (I'll make her do the week no matter what because it's childcare).

[Anonymous]

Try a team sport. My DD wasn’t super into anything, but she’s enjoying team sports.

[Anonymous]

I agree, don't push formal training. For now, I'd occasionally do mix in taking her out to see plays, concerts, aquarium, signing up for 1-3 day workshops to try a bit of this or that. See what naturally sparks her interest. See offering at nature-focused programs, like the 1 day events through Woodend, Audubon, local parks, etc.

[Anonymous]

Don’t push it. Maybe wait a year & see. But next time she asks to do an activity, let her know upfront that she WILL complete the session (don’t pick something with a yearlong commitment), not quit partway through. It doesn’t matter if she gets bored with it— she has to follow through, then could decide not to sign up again if she didn’t like it.

[Anonymous]

Depends if you're up for it! It really doesn't matter. If you push it it keeps her in which can be important. Kids quit easily and better to keep them in until they really aren't interested. Don't push her and she may never return but find another activity. You know her personality best she's young enough it doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Why are you losing money? You are the parent - you decide what classes to put her in. She doesn't get to refuse to go. Tell her she has to try things for a session to find things she likes.

[Anonymous]

She won't know what she likes unless she gets to try things out. She has to attend a full session but then doesn't ever have to sign up for that thing again if she doesn't like it. That frees her up to try out different activities while also teaching the importance of not quitting as soon as she's bored.

Stick with swim lessons for safety and let her know that's why. And keep her eye on the prize -- being able to keep up with her friends who swim this summer at the pool, getting to go in the big pool at her camp, or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Damn, this post is straight up DCUM bubble CRAZY.

She's SIX! She wants to play, outside and inside, not listen to adults direct her. That's what she does all day at school.

Swimming, sure, it's a safety issue. Everything else? DROP IT. For at least a year, maybe more. What a waste of time and money when free play is better for her anyway! Use the money you're saving to buy some really good, warm outdoor clothing for her and you and take her outside every day after school, rain or shine. Invite neighborhood friends, too.

In the long run, you'll be protecting her mental health:

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/31/1209763238/how-lack-of-independent-play-is-impacting-childrens-mental-health

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Damn, this post is straight up DCUM bubble CRAZY.

She's SIX! She wants to play, outside and inside, not listen to adults direct her. That's what she does all day at school.

Swimming, sure, it's a safety issue. Everything else? DROP IT. For at least a year, maybe more. What a waste of time and money when free play is better for her anyway! Use the money you're saving to buy some really good, warm outdoor clothing for her and you and take her outside every day after school, rain or shine. Invite neighborhood friends, too.

In the long run, you'll be protecting her mental health:

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/31/1209763238/how-lack-of-independent-play-is-impacting-childrens-mental-health

I'm a PP and to be clear I'm saying ONE activity per season that meets ONE day a week (not like a sport with two practice days and a game day every week).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you losing money? You are the parent - you decide what classes to put her in. She doesn't get to refuse to go. Tell her she has to try things for a session to find things she likes.

I don’t think Op needs to put her in classes at all. But for now, since she is enrolled she has to go. She is six!