Interesting, because most people would say my kid is overscheduled, but it prevents her from being on screens for more than 30 minutes most days |
People use overschedulig to try to curb screen time. For some reason, it's easier than just setting limits. |
If your kids enjoy activities and you can do it, why would you say no? |
It is, especially when they are older, because they are able to access friends’ phones/computers/tvs that you can’t restrict. Really think you’re going to follow around your middle schooler during free time to make sure he isn’t sitting around his friends’ phones gaming instead of biking? |
It's hard to play catch up in any skilled sport. Hockey is the same. By age 12, the kids who started skating and playing hockey at 4 years old and have done lessons and clinics and played on competitive teams are so far ahead that they will never be caught. Most governing bodies like USA Hockey have the concept of "Windows of Trainability" - refers to the point in the development of a specific capacity when training has an optimal effect. |
Right. I think the biggest things some people don't seem to understand is that some kids like to be busy and have found an activity they love to be at. |
Logistics, there are plenty of reasons to say no to specific activities without saying no to all activities. |
Ok, but that's your particular situation and that's ok but if other families can make it work, and do, where is the issue? Or, is the issue you want to justify not having your kids in activities or looking for free child care via other parents sending your kids to their house calling it a playdate. |
I know a kid whose kid started skating at 2. We met them in preschool and I thought they were joking when they said their son had ice hockey practice. The kid must have been 3 or 4 back then. The kid is now on a national team. We know another kid who loved ice hockey and their parents were always driving this kid to practices and tournaments. I remember thinking it was too much and that it wasn’t like this kid was going to play professional ice hockey. I mean their entire lives revolved around this kid’s hockey. He recently went to an elite boarding school to play ice hockey. |
You asked me why parents would say no and I said logistics. Even if parents can make things work it's ok to say no. And I'm not looking for free childcare. |
So…do the kids enjoy hockey? If they do, what’s the issue? |
Yes, it's ok to say no, but many parents enjoy seeing their kids enjoy their hobbies and do well. So, why would we say no? Just to make someone like you happy? |
Mine will never excel at their sport. Yet, we still do it multiple times a week because they enjoy it and it's good exercise. Not all kids have to play on a professional team or even do it in college. I have zero expectation of it continuing in college but through high school as long as they want to do it, we will make it work. |
Someone of us are just trying to quell our own depression by staying out of the house. |
Hockey is very expensive and time consuming. Not all parents are up for that even if they can do it. And that's ok, kids can pick something else. This is why I didn't even present hockey as an option with my kids |