What does your kindergartner do after school?

[Anonymous]

what would be considered an "over-scheduled child" - something every day after school?

[Anonymous]

One or two official playdates per week plus we meet friends at the park one or two other afternoons. One or two classes per week per child too - ballet, tee-ball, soccer, lax, art, music, etc. The classes are fun for my kids and for me so that I can hang out with the other moms.

We also try to go to a museum once a month, do a lot of ice skating in the winter, and swimming from spring to late fall depending on the weather.

Sometimes we run errands, take walks, play outside on the sidewalk, bike or scoot through the neighborhood, hit tennis balls at the park, go to the supermarket, go to the post office, cook dinner, do laundry, etc. etc. Read, play, draw, do art projects - lots of imaginary play.

List goes on and on. My kids watch about half an hour of television every morning. None for the rest of the day.

As for the overscheduled kid, it's an interesting question. I think that it would mean structured stuff (classes or formal aftercare programs) every day after school - no time to just run around, play (by yourself and with siblings and friends), and sit and read a few books.

We do spend nearly every afternoon with friends, but I believe kids need alone-time too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One or two official playdates per week plus we meet friends at the park one or two other afternoons. One or two classes per week per child too - ballet, tee-ball, soccer, lax, art, music, etc. The classes are fun for my kids and for me so that I can hang out with the other moms.

We also try to go to a museum once a month, do a lot of ice skating in the winter, and swimming from spring to late fall depending on the weather.

Sometimes we run errands, take walks, play outside on the sidewalk, bike or scoot through the neighborhood, hit tennis balls at the park, go to the supermarket, go to the post office, cook dinner, do laundry, etc. etc. Read, play, draw, do art projects - lots of imaginary play.

List goes on and on. My kids watch about half an hour of television every morning. None for the rest of the day.

As for the overscheduled kid, it's an interesting question. I think that it would mean structured stuff (classes or formal aftercare programs) every day after school - no time to just run around, play (by yourself and with siblings and friends), and sit and read a few books.

We do spend nearly every afternoon with friends, but I believe kids need alone-time too.

In all seriousness, how do you find time for all this? Are you a SAHM?

[Anonymous]

Ballet twice a week. A little tv. Little projects. Runs errands with me. No playdates. THAT is a rule for us. She sees enough of her friends ALL day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One or two official playdates per week plus we meet friends at the park one or two other afternoons. One or two classes per week per child too - ballet, tee-ball, soccer, lax, art, music, etc. The classes are fun for my kids and for me so that I can hang out with the other moms.

We also try to go to a museum once a month, do a lot of ice skating in the winter, and swimming from spring to late fall depending on the weather.

Sometimes we run errands, take walks, play outside on the sidewalk, bike or scoot through the neighborhood, hit tennis balls at the park, go to the supermarket, go to the post office, cook dinner, do laundry, etc. etc. Read, play, draw, do art projects - lots of imaginary play.

List goes on and on. My kids watch about half an hour of television every morning. None for the rest of the day.

As for the overscheduled kid, it's an interesting question. I think that it would mean structured stuff (classes or formal aftercare programs) every day after school - no time to just run around, play (by yourself and with siblings and friends), and sit and read a few books.

We do spend nearly every afternoon with friends, but I believe kids need alone-time too.


THIS is an overscheduled kid. WHEN is the alone time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One or two official playdates per week plus we meet friends at the park one or two other afternoons. One or two classes per week per child too - ballet, tee-ball, soccer, lax, art, music, etc. The classes are fun for my kids and for me so that I can hang out with the other moms.

We also try to go to a museum once a month, do a lot of ice skating in the winter, and swimming from spring to late fall depending on the weather.

Sometimes we run errands, take walks, play outside on the sidewalk, bike or scoot through the neighborhood, hit tennis balls at the park, go to the supermarket, go to the post office, cook dinner, do laundry, etc. etc. Read, play, draw, do art projects - lots of imaginary play.

List goes on and on. My kids watch about half an hour of television every morning. None for the rest of the day.

As for the overscheduled kid, it's an interesting question. I think that it would mean structured stuff (classes or formal aftercare programs) every day after school - no time to just run around, play (by yourself and with siblings and friends), and sit and read a few books.

We do spend nearly every afternoon with friends, but I believe kids need alone-time too.

Are your children this demanding that they can't seem to occupy themselves?

seriously?

suggestion - Pop open a bottle a wine and pour yourself a glass while the kids veg out in front of the TV.