Yes. Your Kid is overscheduled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

This isn't about you and some kids jus want to hang out but I feel bad for kids like yours who don't get to participate in activities and sports that interest them because of your close-minded view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

Vaping, drugs, depression all start in middle school. Bored kids often do bad things. I would rather my kid be productive doing things he enjoys with friends with common interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

Why would kids not hang out?

My middle school kid just texted me that he is going to his friend’s house. He can hang out there for a few hours before we pick him up for practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

This isn't about you and some kids jus want to hang out but I feel bad for kids like yours who don't get to participate in activities and sports that interest them because of your close-minded view.

How is it a close minded view? I never said kids shouldn't play sports, or that I wouldn't let my kids. I never played sports as a kid, disabled and I wished I could have at least tried them. But, I did have a ton of free play with my neighborhood friends and freedom and that more than made up for lack of sports. I just think kids should be kids as long as they can be. On the flip side, I feel kind of bad for kids who dont have free play and who are overscheduled. Or for the ones who aren't allowed free time because their parents think they'll be trouble. We just have differing options, that's all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

Most teens don't free play. At some point even MS kids grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

This isn't about you and some kids jus want to hang out but I feel bad for kids like yours who don't get to participate in activities and sports that interest them because of your close-minded view.

How is it a close minded view? I never said kids shouldn't play sports, or that I wouldn't let my kids. I never played sports as a kid, disabled and I wished I could have at least tried them. But, I did have a ton of free play with my neighborhood friends and freedom and that more than made up for lack of sports. I just think kids should be kids as long as they can be. On the flip side, I feel kind of bad for kids who dont have free play and who are overscheduled. Or for the ones who aren't allowed free time because their parents think they'll be trouble. We just have differing options, that's all.

I have a 12yo DS who is currently mad at us that we didn’t sign him up for skills training and more competitive teams. I’m really glad he is motivated.

He has tons of friends, too many. The kid gets invited to so many hangouts and parties. I guess I mostly know busy kids but they find time to hang out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

This isn't about you and some kids jus want to hang out but I feel bad for kids like yours who don't get to participate in activities and sports that interest them because of your close-minded view.

How is it a close minded view? I never said kids shouldn't play sports, or that I wouldn't let my kids. I never played sports as a kid, disabled and I wished I could have at least tried them. But, I did have a ton of free play with my neighborhood friends and freedom and that more than made up for lack of sports. I just think kids should be kids as long as they can be. On the flip side, I feel kind of bad for kids who dont have free play and who are overscheduled. Or for the ones who aren't allowed free time because their parents think they'll be trouble. We just have differing options, that's all.

Sorry, I don’t think your childhood memories as a disabled non athlete are necessarily relevant to today’s competitive world. Not trying to be mean.

No UMc/UC teen is just hanging around the neighborhood. They are all doing something whether it is an instrument, sports, dance, model UN, saving dogs, whatever it is that they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

But the person claiming a kid is over scheduled is OP and she can’t know the dynamics of another child’s schedule, if he isn’t enjoying himself or if he isn’t also getting free play. You aren’t the parent so you don’t know!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

But the person claiming a kid is over scheduled is OP and she can’t know the dynamics of another child’s schedule, if he isn’t enjoying himself or if he isn’t also getting free play. You aren’t the parent so you don’t know!

I have middle and high school boys. Their free play and downtime is on their phones or video games.

I was a no screens at all mom. My boys were the last to have a phone and they still complain about their screen time limits and phone downtime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

This isn't about you and some kids jus want to hang out but I feel bad for kids like yours who don't get to participate in activities and sports that interest them because of your close-minded view.

How is it a close minded view? I never said kids shouldn't play sports, or that I wouldn't let my kids. I never played sports as a kid, disabled and I wished I could have at least tried them. But, I did have a ton of free play with my neighborhood friends and freedom and that more than made up for lack of sports. I just think kids should be kids as long as they can be. On the flip side, I feel kind of bad for kids who dont have free play and who are overscheduled. Or for the ones who aren't allowed free time because their parents think they'll be trouble. We just have differing options, that's all.

Sorry, I don’t think your childhood memories as a disabled non athlete are necessarily relevant to today’s competitive world. Not trying to be mean.

No UMc/UC teen is just hanging around the neighborhood. They are all doing something whether it is an instrument, sports, dance, model UN, saving dogs, whatever it is that they do.

You are sick

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

This isn't about you and some kids jus want to hang out but I feel bad for kids like yours who don't get to participate in activities and sports that interest them because of your close-minded view.

How is it a close minded view? I never said kids shouldn't play sports, or that I wouldn't let my kids. I never played sports as a kid, disabled and I wished I could have at least tried them. But, I did have a ton of free play with my neighborhood friends and freedom and that more than made up for lack of sports. I just think kids should be kids as long as they can be. On the flip side, I feel kind of bad for kids who dont have free play and who are overscheduled. Or for the ones who aren't allowed free time because their parents think they'll be trouble. We just have differing options, that's all.

Sorry, I don’t think your childhood memories as a disabled non athlete are necessarily relevant to today’s competitive world. Not trying to be mean.

No UMc/UC teen is just hanging around the neighborhood. They are all doing something whether it is an instrument, sports, dance, model UN, saving dogs, whatever it is that they do.

You are sick

How are they sick? Most kids are doing something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Free play is all fun and games until middle school. Then the kids with no activities have nothing to do and it’s downhill from there.

Not for all kids, our neighborhood friends and my sibling had a blast playing throughout middle school. And why not, we were kids having fun. Free play is very important for middle schoolers, I've even read articles on it. I'm not sure why or when ppl deemed them too old to do this. It was the norm for us. I don't know why ppl think they aren't deserving of free play.

Why do you think athletes aren’t getting both?

Also, our day was great - I had free play too and then just walked right on to a JV sport as a freshman having barely played. Those days are over for most schools with most sports. If you don’t have some training, you aren’t making a high school team. I absolutely loved being a high school athlete and my kids enjoy it too, so I am glad we put in the prep work to make that happen in elementary and middle.

Because this is a thread on overscheduling. And ppl are assuming that older kids don't need or want free play because they're too old or will be trouble makers. High school is obviously a little different, but middle school kids are still kids.

I have a middle school kid and he does so much and also hangs out with his friends plenty in person and online. The difference between middle and high school is that you don’t have to study much in middle school. My middle schooler gets out at 2 and goes to bed around 10. He does have something almost everyday but he has plenty of free time.

He knows several kids who seem to do nothing. Their parents don’t seem as focused on them since they don’t neee childcare. My kid has friends who must play video games all day everyday. If I let him, I’m sure my kid would gladly play games all day. Thankfully he enjoys his multiple sports.

That sounds great, sounds like your child has a good balance. I'm glad that he still gets to hang out with neighborhood friends, that's was such a great time in my life throughout middle school. I think I'm just against the idea of not encouraging it or not letting my kid have that because some kids cause trouble

This isn't about you and some kids jus want to hang out but I feel bad for kids like yours who don't get to participate in activities and sports that interest them because of your close-minded view.

How is it a close minded view? I never said kids shouldn't play sports, or that I wouldn't let my kids. I never played sports as a kid, disabled and I wished I could have at least tried them. But, I did have a ton of free play with my neighborhood friends and freedom and that more than made up for lack of sports. I just think kids should be kids as long as they can be. On the flip side, I feel kind of bad for kids who dont have free play and who are overscheduled. Or for the ones who aren't allowed free time because their parents think they'll be trouble. We just have differing options, that's all.

Sorry, I don’t think your childhood memories as a disabled non athlete are necessarily relevant to today’s competitive world. Not trying to be mean.

No UMc/UC teen is just hanging around the neighborhood. They are all doing something whether it is an instrument, sports, dance, model UN, saving dogs, whatever it is that they do.

You are sick

?? Most kids in UMC are doing something. Any parent who wants their kid to go to a semi decent college knows that their kid can’t just get good grades. It is almost irresponsible to let your kid just do nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is in high school so I have a different perspective from when all the kids were little. Some kids are just more talented. They are smarter, more athletic, better looking, etc. A lot of average and below average kids get left behind. I know some parents think riding their bikes around being bored and creative sounds wonderful but in my experience, those kids are often on screens, not doing something amazing. A lot of middle school kids drop their sports and activities so when others kids start really excelling, your kid who didn’t once per week activity probably isn’t that good at the activity and will get outcompeted by some kid who has gotten more practice or coaching in that same activity.

All these sports and activities take time and money. Not everyone has these resources. I remember reading something in NY Times about elite college admissions and athletes. The athletes needed to have years of expensive training so even the recruited athletes are all rich. I’m too lazy to look up and link the article.

That GenX way of growing up is what gave rise to Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is in high school so I have a different perspective from when all the kids were little. Some kids are just more talented. They are smarter, more athletic, better looking, etc. A lot of average and below average kids get left behind. I know some parents think riding their bikes around being bored and creative sounds wonderful but in my experience, those kids are often on screens, not doing something amazing. A lot of middle school kids drop their sports and activities so when others kids start really excelling, your kid who didn’t once per week activity probably isn’t that good at the activity and will get outcompeted by some kid who has gotten more practice or coaching in that same activity.

All these sports and activities take time and money. Not everyone has these resources. I remember reading something in NY Times about elite college admissions and athletes. The athletes needed to have years of expensive training so even the recruited athletes are all rich. I’m too lazy to look up and link the article.

That GenX way of growing up is what gave rise to Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg, etc.

I meant Bezos, not Zuckerb. I don’t know anything about Z.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is in high school so I have a different perspective from when all the kids were little. Some kids are just more talented. They are smarter, more athletic, better looking, etc. A lot of average and below average kids get left behind. I know some parents think riding their bikes around being bored and creative sounds wonderful but in my experience, those kids are often on screens, not doing something amazing. A lot of middle school kids drop their sports and activities so when others kids start really excelling, your kid who didn’t once per week activity probably isn’t that good at the activity and will get outcompeted by some kid who has gotten more practice or coaching in that same activity.

All these sports and activities take time and money. Not everyone has these resources. I remember reading something in NY Times about elite college admissions and athletes. The athletes needed to have years of expensive training so even the recruited athletes are all rich. I’m too lazy to look up and link the article.

That GenX way of growing up is what gave rise to Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg, etc.

If your strategy to become the next tech billionaire is to let your kid do nothing, go for it.

We know a guy who is a tech millionaire, not billionaire. He lets his kids do whatever they want and they play video games all day. The guy grew up with nothing and had to work for everything he had. The kids are kind of lazy and entitled. Shrug.

Everyone has a different parenting style.