The endless complaints of parents who CHOOSE to over-schedule

[Anonymous]

They are also the ones asking me how my kid got into colleges without all of the activities.

[Anonymous]

I probably did this. Even though we chose it, I was overwhelmed. If you want your kids to succeed in American schools, they need to be good at sports. It felt like a hamster wheel I couldn’t get off. Would not choose it again.
Have compassion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I probably did this. Even though we chose it, I was overwhelmed. If you want your kids to succeed in American schools, they need to be good at sports. It felt like a hamster wheel I couldn’t get off. Would not choose it again.
Have compassion.

This is BS. I have three grown teens who have all been highly successful in school without sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I probably did this. Even though we chose it, I was overwhelmed. If you want your kids to succeed in American schools, they need to be good at sports. It felt like a hamster wheel I couldn’t get off. Would not choose it again.
Have compassion.

What does "succeed in American schools" mean? I assume it doesn't mean grades, because lots of people get good grades without being good at sports (and vice versa).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep my kids in sports year-round because participation in sports builds well-rounded kids who learn to cooperate with others, balance competing priorities, and manage time. DS had a birthday party this weekend and all of the kids heavily involved in sports were well behaved and kind. The kids who are not as involved in sports were destructive and more prone to arguing with each other and making bad behavioral choices. These are 11/12 year olds.

Dumbest post award.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably did this. Even though we chose it, I was overwhelmed. If you want your kids to succeed in American schools, they need to be good at sports. It felt like a hamster wheel I couldn’t get off. Would not choose it again.
Have compassion.

What does "succeed in American schools" mean? I assume it doesn't mean grades, because lots of people get good grades without being good at sports (and vice versa).

It means “be popular” which is their #1 priority. Same reason they give their kids phones in 4th grade. “I don’t want them to be left out socially”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, on behalf of your friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers: STFU.

When I ask my co-worker “How was your weekend,” that’s just a baseline pleasantry. Here’s what’s acceptable:
“Pretty good, but it was also really busy with soccer. Luckily, the weather was nice and we got a chance to go to the pool!”

Here’s what’s not acceptable: A minutes (plural)-long RANT about kid’s sports, activities, rehearsals, recitals, and all things that you and your kids voluntarily want to do. I don’t carry if little Johnny wants to do swimming and baseball: if that’s your life and your choice, own it, and shut upppppp.

None of us are impressed by how busy you are, and no one cares how stressed out you feel. You are choosing all of this. You are the moron who is constantly shoving an iPad in your toddler’s face and making her endure the heat and no proper nap so your older boys can sport, sport, sport. If that’s the life you choose, live your choice and shut all the way up.

And by the way, not that you asked, but some of us are busy with elderly parents, hobbies of our own, or goals of our own. You don’t know that because you never ask, and if you do, we do the polite thing and give a two-sentence summary of our weekend, without all the endless complaining.

Wow, OP. You should maybe talk to a professional to better understand why this sort of thing sets you off so outrageously. Do you have anger problems in general? Because this reaction is not normal.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I probably did this. Even though we chose it, I was overwhelmed. If you want your kids to succeed in American schools, they need to be good at sports. It felt like a hamster wheel I couldn’t get off. Would not choose it again.
Have compassion.

Huh? What rock do you live under. This is completely untrue. In fact, in terms of college admissions, all the dime a dozen kids who are not recruitable athletes, sports is one of the more unremarkable ECs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably did this. Even though we chose it, I was overwhelmed. If you want your kids to succeed in American schools, they need to be good at sports. It felt like a hamster wheel I couldn’t get off. Would not choose it again.
Have compassion.

What does "succeed in American schools" mean? I assume it doesn't mean grades, because lots of people get good grades without being good at sports (and vice versa).

It means “be popular” which is their #1 priority. Same reason they give their kids phones in 4th grade. “I don’t want them to be left out socially”

Plenty of non-popular kids playing sports and popular kids doing other things. If popularity is anyone's main motivator, which seems pretty sad. But here we are.

[Anonymous]

These type of people are total bores. Stop engaging with them. Pretty easy to avoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, on behalf of your friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers: STFU.

When I ask my co-worker “How was your weekend,” that’s just a baseline pleasantry. Here’s what’s acceptable:
“Pretty good, but it was also really busy with soccer. Luckily, the weather was nice and we got a chance to go to the pool!”

Here’s what’s not acceptable: A minutes (plural)-long RANT about kid’s sports, activities, rehearsals, recitals, and all things that you and your kids voluntarily want to do. I don’t carry if little Johnny wants to do swimming and baseball: if that’s your life and your choice, own it, and shut upppppp.

None of us are impressed by how busy you are, and no one cares how stressed out you feel. You are choosing all of this. You are the moron who is constantly shoving an iPad in your toddler’s face and making her endure the heat and no proper nap so your older boys can sport, sport, sport. If that’s the life you choose, live your choice and shut all the way up.

And by the way, not that you asked, but some of us are busy with elderly parents, hobbies of our own, or goals of our own. You don’t know that because you never ask, and if you do, we do the polite thing and give a two-sentence summary of our weekend, without all the endless complaining.

Wow, OP. You should maybe talk to a professional to better understand why this sort of thing sets you off so outrageously. Do you have anger problems in general? Because this reaction is not normal.

Why are you even on this board if you are going to react this strongly to someone venting? Professional help? Really? Do you think this kind of response makes you seem super chill and above it all?

Also is this your first day on the internet? Venting is completely normal. Venting on an anonymous internet board is half of why they are so popular.

[Anonymous]

I know a few people like this. I think complaining is their default form of small talk. And often this is compensating for insecurity. "See how busy I am and how athletic my kids are???? I am a great parent because I do ALL the things."

I completely agree that it is annoying and usually kind of gray rock it or change the subject. If that doesn't work, avoid. They will find other sports parents to complain to.