I am interested in a slower pace of life

[Anonymous]

Sorry, it is slowfamilyliving.com

[Anonymous]

I'm with you, OP!

We resist making many plans for the weekends and have said no to many, many birthday parties. I learned a long time ago that I'm much, much happier without too many scheduled activities -- for myself or for DD.

On the other hand, I know some people really enjoy having the social whirlwind going full blast. Some of my friends and family members get anxious/bored without planned activities. DH and I are the opposite. So far, so good!

[Anonymous]

I agree with you OP - the people in this area are way too overscheduled so don't let them make you feel guilty for enjoying your more relaxed pace of life. I grew up in a small town and we played outside after school and on the weekends and didn't have to schedule out every single hour of the day. If our kids are interested in playing a sport, we let them, but we certainly don't force them. Same thing for music lessons - if they want to take lessons, great, and if not, that's great too. I think the pressure that some parents put on their kids and themselves to always be hosting playdates or going to classes and activities is ridiculous. Good for you for not caving to the pressure!

[Anonymous]

I am sorry OP---but you workout and hang out until your kids get out of school...how much slower could your life already get?! Give me a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry OP---but you workout and hang out until your kids get out of school...how much slower could your life already get?! Give me a break.

I don't think you get it. It's not about having free time. See previous posters. Why so angry?

[Anonymous]

OP sounds lazy. How much easier could your day get? I'm not sure why you even posted. How did you even find the time, what with your busy schedule and all?

[Anonymous]

OP - I think some of the posters have been way too harsh (shocking on DCUM I know!) and I understand you were just rambling, but your situation does not seem that hard - just DON'T schedule stuff.

I have a toddler now but we hope to have another one day and we will likely both work when they are in school. I will probably aim to have them in one activity each per season or however long these things last. We just won't be able to run all over town, have time as a family, and work also, plus do things that are high priority for me, like cooking healthy meals we all eat together, etc.

So, I'm thinking I just won't schedule a ton of activities. If there is pressure to do so, I will remind myself that kids get plenty of stimulation at school and with homework and sometimes being bored is a good thing. And I will remind myself that my brother and me were not scheduled in a hundred activities. We did one sport per year, and a music lesson. In middle and high school we did more (sports, activities) but we were older at that point.

Don't cave in - you don't have to. It might seem like you are the only one but you aren't!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I think some of the posters have been way too harsh (shocking on DCUM I know!) and I understand you were just rambling, but your situation does not seem that hard - just DON'T schedule stuff.

I have a toddler now but we hope to have another one day and we will likely both work when they are in school. I will probably aim to have them in one activity each per season or however long these things last. We just won't be able to run all over town, have time as a family, and work also, plus do things that are high priority for me, like cooking healthy meals we all eat together, etc.

So, I'm thinking I just won't schedule a ton of activities. If there is pressure to do so, I will remind myself that kids get plenty of stimulation at school and with homework and sometimes being bored is a good thing. And I will remind myself that my brother and me were not scheduled in a hundred activities. We did one sport per year, and a music lesson. In middle and high school we did more (sports, activities) but we were older at that point.

Don't cave in - you don't have to. It might seem like you are the only one but you aren't!

Thanks. No one said anything about my situation being hard. It's not hard. Just a challenge to make sure that we live life in a way that makes sense for our family, despite the pressure to do a lot of scheduled things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds lazy. How much easier could your day get? I'm not sure why you even posted. How did you even find the time, what with your busy schedule and all?

You aholes sure are reading your own thing into her post.

[Anonymous]

This thread is reminding me of why I usually do not find this site good for me. Signing off now.

[Anonymous]

You aholes sure are reading your own thing into her post.

Hey, I thought we all agreed a few weeks ago to use "asshat" from now on. Did you not get the memo?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I think some of the posters have been way too harsh (shocking on DCUM I know!) and I understand you were just rambling, but your situation does not seem that hard - just DON'T schedule stuff.

I have a toddler now but we hope to have another one day and we will likely both work when they are in school. I will probably aim to have them in one activity each per season or however long these things last. We just won't be able to run all over town, have time as a family, and work also, plus do things that are high priority for me, like cooking healthy meals we all eat together, etc.

So, I'm thinking I just won't schedule a ton of activities. If there is pressure to do so, I will remind myself that kids get plenty of stimulation at school and with homework and sometimes being bored is a good thing. And I will remind myself that my brother and me were not scheduled in a hundred activities. We did one sport per year, and a music lesson. In middle and high school we did more (sports, activities) but we were older at that point.

Don't cave in - you don't have to. It might seem like you are the only one but you aren't!

Thanks. No one said anything about my situation being hard. It's not hard. Just a challenge to make sure that we live life in a way that makes sense for our family, despite the pressure to do a lot of scheduled things.

Thought you were posting cause your situation was a challenge. Hard, challenge, whatever. Trying to be helpful but it doesn't seem like you need it. Not sure the point of all this. I will join the other poster in signing off this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I think some of the posters have been way too harsh (shocking on DCUM I know!) and I understand you were just rambling, but your situation does not seem that hard - just DON'T schedule stuff.

I have a toddler now but we hope to have another one day and we will likely both work when they are in school. I will probably aim to have them in one activity each per season or however long these things last. We just won't be able to run all over town, have time as a family, and work also, plus do things that are high priority for me, like cooking healthy meals we all eat together, etc.

So, I'm thinking I just won't schedule a ton of activities. If there is pressure to do so, I will remind myself that kids get plenty of stimulation at school and with homework and sometimes being bored is a good thing. And I will remind myself that my brother and me were not scheduled in a hundred activities. We did one sport per year, and a music lesson. In middle and high school we did more (sports, activities) but we were older at that point.

Don't cave in - you don't have to. It might seem like you are the only one but you aren't!

Thanks. No one said anything about my situation being hard. It's not hard. Just a challenge to make sure that we live life in a way that makes sense for our family, despite the pressure to do a lot of scheduled things.

Sorry-- I over-reacted to the hard comment. I must be extra sensitive today! Your post was helpful, thanks.

Thought you were posting cause your situation was a challenge. Hard, challenge, whatever. Trying to be helpful but it doesn't seem like you need it. Not sure the point of all this. I will join the other poster in signing off this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I think some of the posters have been way too harsh (shocking on DCUM I know!) and I understand you were just rambling, but your situation does not seem that hard - just DON'T schedule stuff.

I have a toddler now but we hope to have another one day and we will likely both work when they are in school. I will probably aim to have them in one activity each per season or however long these things last. We just won't be able to run all over town, have time as a family, and work also, plus do things that are high priority for me, like cooking healthy meals we all eat together, etc.

So, I'm thinking I just won't schedule a ton of activities. If there is pressure to do so, I will remind myself that kids get plenty of stimulation at school and with homework and sometimes being bored is a good thing. And I will remind myself that my brother and me were not scheduled in a hundred activities. We did one sport per year, and a music lesson. In middle and high school we did more (sports, activities) but we were older at that point.

Don't cave in - you don't have to. It might seem like you are the only one but you aren't!

Thanks. No one said anything about my situation being hard. It's not hard. Just a challenge to make sure that we live life in a way that makes sense for our family, despite the pressure to do a lot of scheduled things.

Sorry-- I over-reacted to the hard comment. I must be extra sensitive today! Your post was helpful, thanks.

Thought you were posting cause your situation was a challenge. Hard, challenge, whatever. Trying to be helpful but it doesn't seem like you need it. Not sure the point of all this. I will join the other poster in signing off this thread.

My return post got lost. I meant to say sorry for the over-reaction. I must be extra sensitive today. Your response was helpful. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is complaining about the pressure she gets from other parents who think she should be driving kids all over the place from one class lesson activity to another. DD has a friend who plays soccer, softball, swims, plays piano and flute, plus girl scouts. It seems crazy to me, but her parents think it's all necessary. Even this child's playdates are full of activities (going bowling, to a museum, to a movie), which my DD loves, but I'd never do.

I think music lessons and swimming are essential, but everything else is optional. I told my kids they have to take music lessons until they are 16, and then they can quit. To me, not learning how to play an instrument is the equivalent of not learning how to read. But those are my values.

OP, I hear you about running around after school making everyone crazy. We have one afternoon a week with no activities, and the kids love it. We just go home and hang out. Wheeee!

I have to say, however, that the grass is always greener.... I've been a SAHM for 12 years and I'd like to go back to work, even if it means the up at 6, kids to school at 7 routine. Too much time on your hands can be boring and stressful, not relaxing.

My mother forced me to take piano and ballet lessons and I hated them. I think your kids should be allowed to pick the activities they want to do.