Youth sports and over scheduling

[Anonymous]

Its all a race to nowhere.

[Anonymous]

A lot of parents disagree with the definition of overscheduling and think that keeping kids scheduled is good for them. One of the sources in the linked article has a blended family of five kids. Stepparents are notorious for pushing back on activities for their stepkids. Also, the author's kids pushed back on comp sports because they dislike competition and prefer to play the ukulele and drums. This is fine for them, but some of our kids thrive on athletic competition. I also think people grossly misunderstand the motives of travel sports parents. Not many parents are signing their kids up for comp sports with the expectation of a college scholarship. We do it because the sport itself is an enjoyable activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that I just don't understand why kids at earlier and earlier ages would even want organized sports over free play? The few activities I did were great and fun, but I would never have wanted them over free play or hang out time with friends.

It really depends on the kid and the activity. Mine hasn’t felt the need to pursue every activity we put him in, but he is very gungho about 1 sport and 1 musical activity. I’m sure these activities could shift and his interests could change, but I don’t feel the need to ban him from taking instrument lessons or make him choose between music and sport. He’s been pursuing both for a year and insists he wants to keep on for a long time. Re free play… I kept him out of camp one year so he could do more unstructured play. Turned out that all the other kids were busy with camp and activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that I just don't understand why kids at earlier and earlier ages would even want organized sports over free play? The few activities I did were great and fun, but I would never have wanted them over free play or hang out time with friends.

+1. None of my 4 kids preferred organized sports over free play.. ever!

Losers

[Anonymous]

I am tired of parents who pride themselves on how busy they and their kids are. It's grating.

[Anonymous]

They are being terminators

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am tired of parents who pride themselves on how busy they and their kids are. It's grating.

Yes, it's some weird bage of honor. You're only hurting yourself and your kids.

[Anonymous]

So the article is about not being in the rat race for fear of getting left behind or missing out, and doing what makes the family happy.

I agree. I feel so bad for this 6 year old I met whose mom put him in academic enrichment, piano, soccer, swim, tennis, and language class. He didn’t look happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am tired of parents who pride themselves on how busy they and their kids are. It's grating.

Yes, it's some weird bage of honor. You're only hurting yourself and your kids.

And of course the parents who pride themselves on not doing activities for their kids are also exhausting. But of course what YOU choose to do is the perfect thing, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alot of parents just don't want to admit that overscheduling exists or how bad it is for kids

Citation?

[Anonymous]

I don't really see kids these days having much different schedules then my friends and I had in the Midwest in the 80s. Year round swim team from a young age, plus several other sports depending on the season or age, an instrument, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alot of parents just don't want to admit that overscheduling exists or how bad it is for kids

Citation?

Why do you need a citation? You can't see why overscheduling is a bad thing?

[Anonymous]

Every child is different.

Some thrive at being extremely busy and some don’t.

Parent the child you have.

The problem is parents (like OP) who are trying to shame other parents into NOT being busy so she can feel better about her kids not being busy.

OP is afraid the kid who thrives on being super busy will get into a better college and “that’s not fair”.

Parent your child in a way that is best for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am tired of parents who pride themselves on how busy they and their kids are. It's grating.

Yes, it's some weird bage of honor. You're only hurting yourself and your kids.

And of course the parents who pride themselves on not doing activities for their kids are also exhausting. But of course what YOU choose to do is the perfect thing, right?

I didn't say that did I? I would never not let my kids do activities if they really wanted to, unless I was unable to let them for some reason. But, I'll never force them and I'll never overschedule them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alot of parents just don't want to admit that overscheduling exists or how bad it is for kids

Citation?

Why do you need a citation? You can't see why overscheduling is a bad thing?

No I can’t see why Katie Ledeky’s schedule is a bad thing.