Yes. Your Kid is overscheduled.

[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

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.

I realize that this happens and probably always will, but that's not all kids. But, these kids I feel bad for. I can't relate, we were just kids and never got into trouble.

[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

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.

I realize that this happens and probably always will, but that's not all kids. But, these kids I feel bad for. I can't relate, we were just kids and never got into trouble.

What a naive view you have.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

One thing that these guys all have in common is that they all attended very elite colleges. Nowadays, you don’t get into Harvard or Princeton by riding your bike around the neighborhood and hanging out with your friends.

[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

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.

I realize that this happens and probably always will, but that's not all kids. But, these kids I feel bad for. I can't relate, we were just kids and never got into trouble.

What a naive view you have.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up in pa and live in Maryland now. It's not naive I know these things happen, I said that I can't relate to it and don't understand it.

[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

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.

I realize that this happens and probably always will, but that's not all kids. But, these kids I feel bad for. I can't relate, we were just kids and never got into trouble.

What a naive view you have.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

Me again. I realize this is an elementary forum and you probably have elementary kids. So do I. I also have a teen and tween. All three of my kids are “popular”. I fear very much for their outside influences.

[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

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.

Why are they bored? Why aren't ppl more concerned about kids not being able to entertain themselves without getting into trouble?

[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.

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

Middle school kids are 11-14. Still young enough to play and have fun. I'm not saying don't grow up at all, just don't grow up faster than you have to. I hope my kid is like me when it comes time for MS.

[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

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.

Why are they bored? Why aren't ppl more concerned about kids not being able to entertain themselves without getting into trouble?

I don’t know. My kids have friends, play sports, participate in school activities and hang out with family. They play outside plenty. My kids aren’t bored.

[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.

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

Middle school kids are 11-14. Still young enough to play and have fun. I'm not saying don't grow up at all, just don't grow up faster than you have to. I hope my kid is like me when it comes time for MS.

My kids played 2 travel sports and learned an instrument and had time for free play, backyard football, pick up basketball, capture the flag, creeking, etc

My boys are in their 20’s and still play pickup basketball … you’re never too old to kick it with friends.

They play poker too… still “playing” with friends.

One plays piano with frirnds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

One thing that these guys all have in common is that they all attended very elite colleges. Nowadays, you don’t get into Harvard or Princeton by riding your bike around the neighborhood and hanging out with your friends.

Even Gates wasn't bringing a ball to the park waiting for friends to show up. His mom and her friends bought computers for the school so Bill and his friends could start a computer club to support their hobby. Not exactly the free range roaming the neighborhood days of yore OP is pining for.

[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

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.

Why are they bored? Why aren't ppl more concerned about kids not being able to entertain themselves without getting into trouble?

OPs kid is bored. She's mad she might have to spend money and drive him somewhere bc no other kids are around to entertain him after school for her.

[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.

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

Middle school kids are 11-14. Still young enough to play and have fun. I'm not saying don't grow up at all, just don't grow up faster than you have to. I hope my kid is like me when it comes time for MS.

Do you even have a middle school child?

Do you realize how difficult it is to parent this age group? They are moody and emotional. This is my absolute least favorite age.

It is like a non parent trying to tell you how to take care of a toddler when he is having a tantrum.

[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.

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

Middle school kids are 11-14. Still young enough to play and have fun. I'm not saying don't grow up at all, just don't grow up faster than you have to. I hope my kid is like me when it comes time for MS.

I really hope you are able to be flexible and realize 1) the world has changed dramatically and a lot of it is outside a parents control , 2) you aren’t going to have as much influence over your MS teen that you think you will, and 3) your child is an individual and may be very different than you were at that age, and that’s ok. Just as someone who once thought the way you did when my kids were younger…

[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.

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

Middle school kids are 11-14. Still young enough to play and have fun. I'm not saying don't grow up at all, just don't grow up faster than you have to. I hope my kid is like me when it comes time for MS.

Do you even have a middle school child?

Do you realize how difficult it is to parent this age group? They are moody and emotional. This is my absolute least favorite age.

It is like a non parent trying to tell you how to take care of a toddler when he is having a tantrum.

Almost middle school, and no, it isn't east even now. But, I'm going to try my best with it. Hopefully I can instill my values into them

[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.

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

Middle school kids are 11-14. Still young enough to play and have fun. I'm not saying don't grow up at all, just don't grow up faster than you have to. I hope my kid is like me when it comes time for MS.

I really hope you are able to be flexible and realize 1) the world has changed dramatically and a lot of it is outside a parents control , 2) you aren’t going to have as much influence over your MS teen that you think you will, and 3) your child is an individual and may be very different than you were at that age, and that’s ok. Just as someone who once thought the way you did when my kids were younger…

I realize it won't be easy and my child isn't my clone, but I believe that free play and being a kid is very important. I'm not anti activities or anti screens, but I want my child to be able to entertain themselves without these things. Hopefully I've taught them well enough to make good choices.