"I lived the happiest childhood a child could possibly know”

[Anonymous]

I don't understand what's so pretentious about saying that it would be great if all kids could have sort of an old school, unstructured childhood? I wish more kids could have this too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I ended up putting my kids in lots of activities because I realized all of the kids my kids want to play with are in extended day or other activities. There is literally nobody around for my kids to play with. It is sad.

Because they're off doing what they enjoy instead of being home in case your kids want to play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents refused activities as they were too selfish to pay for them, despite having the money or taking us regularly. I would have loved to take classes in a few of my interests.

I grew up without enough money to do activities. I had a childhood where I spent a lot of time wandering the woods, catching bugs in jars, etc., and I grew up not ever having tried to learn an instrument or played on a sports team or been in a play. I give my kid those opportunities now (when she wants them), because I feel like I missed out on them when I was a kid. There's plus and minuses to any set of choices.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in the 80’s and participated in Girl Scouts, a rec sport every season, music lessons, and other structured activities. I had a SAHM but I enjoyed doing different things. My brothers were the same way. We had time to play in the neighborhood and hang out, so does my kid.

Live the life you want with your kid, I’ll live the life I want with my kid. And that does include hiking with friends, vacationing with friends and family, and enjoying video games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ended up putting my kids in lots of activities because I realized all of the kids my kids want to play with are in extended day or other activities. There is literally nobody around for my kids to play with. It is sad.

Because they're off doing what they enjoy instead of being home in case your kids want to play.

It's kind of odd to me that kids don't want any free play, hang out time in the neighborhood. It was a highlight of my childhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ended up putting my kids in lots of activities because I realized all of the kids my kids want to play with are in extended day or other activities. There is literally nobody around for my kids to play with. It is sad.

Because they're off doing what they enjoy instead of being home in case your kids want to play.

You sure about that? All kids sitting in a classroom at Russian Math are enjoying themselves? Kids who have one on one tutoring in a sport they’re not good at are having a great time? Kids forced to join something for the sole purpose of a future college application ?

It comes down to having extreme opinions on both sides. Not every child is happy having excessive activities and never being able to relax. But some do. Not every child wants to just hang around the neighborhood every day. But some do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Literally have a headache from how hard this post made me roll my eyes.

I love you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ended up putting my kids in lots of activities because I realized all of the kids my kids want to play with are in extended day or other activities. There is literally nobody around for my kids to play with. It is sad.

Because they're off doing what they enjoy instead of being home in case your kids want to play.

You sure about that? All kids sitting in a classroom at Russian Math are enjoying themselves? Kids who have one on one tutoring in a sport they’re not good at are having a great time? Kids forced to join something for the sole purpose of a future college application ?

It comes down to having extreme opinions on both sides. Not every child is happy having excessive activities and never being able to relax. But some do. Not every child wants to just hang around the neighborhood every day. But some do.

Maybe not every kid at RSM or playing a rec sport wants to be there but there are more who want to be there than you think. DS asks to do RSM. He does his grade level class at the math competition classes. He asks to do math competitions. He likes doing math and he is good at it. He also likes doing soccer and basketball during their seasons. He loves Scouts. He sometimes has to choose to miss math to do Scouts or his sport. Sometimes he chooses math over the sport, sometimes he chooses the sport.

If your kids are happy hanging at home and running around the neighborhood and don’t want to do other activities great. Some kids want to do activities. And then there are the kids who do both because there are 7 days in the week and it is possible to do multiple things.

But feel free to pretend like you know what is best for every kid and family on the planet.

[Anonymous]

Well, crap, I actually had the best childhood ever because I grew up in Hawaii. You aren't doing that for your kids? Shame.

[Anonymous]

People on both sides of this debate are way too defensive. As in most things in life, moderation is best. Kids should have the chance to do things on their own, from a pretty young age, without too much adult supervision / direction. This is a chance to learn resilience, conflict resolution, and creativity. They should also be able to pursue things like music, art, sports, etc. if they want. I think problems arise when parents/caregivers are too dogmatic in either one of these approaches.

[Anonymous]

OP, if this is truly important to you there are many parts of the DC area and other parts of the country where your kid can have this experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if this is truly important to you there are many parts of the DC area and other parts of the country where your kid can have this experience.

I would be very interested to hear from other who don't think that experience is important or important for their child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quote from Maud Hart Lovelace, the author of the Betsy-Tracy books.

I try to give my 6yo a similar childhood - very few structured activities, lots of free time especially outdoors, minimal screens, minimal expectations other than manners and helping at home - and I will still fail because nobody else does the same. We have a neighborhood full of kids but those kids are either in activities or on screens at home. Playgrounds sit empty on weekends. You can’t just run up to someone’s house on a weekday afternoon or weekend and ring their doorbell because chances are they won’t be around. It sucks, but oh well, I try my best. And my DD is a generally happy, cheerful kid so I guess there are other ways to have a happy childhood.

I don't understand the point of your post. But I hope the replies above remind you of the pro/con/everything in moderation side of the story. Maybe keep that in mind and get off the high horse. Not because you annoyed strangers on the internet, but because you're probably smug in real life. And it'd be a good idea for a know-it-all to take responses here as a reality check that your opinions are imbalanced, only partly true, and it'd benefit you to get on more even footing.

[Anonymous]

You sound lazy.

[Anonymous]

Sorry we are all impeding your ability to be the very best parent on earth op! I hope your daughter survives the pain we have caused.