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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can somebody explain the philosophy behind having no organized activities or enrichment ([b]music lessons, language lessons, or tutoring[/b]) for your child? I'm talking about situations where there is plenty of money to pay for them and the child has requested them. Parents don't work unreasonable hours, so it's not a question of time. They just never get around to signing up for music lessons, soccer teams, art camps, chess clubs, sailing lessons, etc... I know that most people consider the UMC kids of the DMV to be overscheduled. But it doesn't seem any more healthy to do no activities or zero enrichment. These are not free range kids either. They don't have any interest in exploring more than their own street nor would the parents allow that. [/quote]

Music lessons?  Like the kind where you pay a zillion dollars for lessons but getting kid to practice turns into a battle so it's a big money sink?
Language lessons?  What kid asks for or enjoys that?  
Tutoring?  You know some kids are smart and don't need tutors?

Our kids don't do activities because we work full time, and they spend 9-10 hours a day in school+aftercare, and we are all tired at the end of the day.  They are learning piano using an app on their ipads.  They don't like playing sports.  They do art and creative activities constantly at home.  I'm not sure what you think is going to happen to them if they don't have sailing lessons.[/quote]

MCPS and other school systems offer free tutoring even for smart kids, like mine.
Language lessons - mine asks for it.  
Music lessons - yes we battle to practice but when we suggest stopping them kid gets upset.

It sounds like it's really about you, no the kids. They might enjoy an art class, for example.  You don't learn piano on an app.  Funny how screen time is ok but activities are not.  Its really you are tired and cannot be bothered.[/quote]

I find a lot of families whose children do few or zero ECs take up a lot of that time with screen time. I had a conversation recently with a mom and she just told me straight up that she did zero activities growing up and it was fine for her so she's not planning on her kids doing many/any. She said she doesn't want to have to drive them and sit there while they do whatever it is. I don't relate to this but also my kids wouldn't be happy with so much at home time.
 I would also honestly worry about college admissions. I went to a private college but a lot of people in our social group went to the highly ranked, cheap public university and seem to assume their kids will easily be able to follow suit. I think admission was a different ballgame 25 years ago, but it doesn't seem likely to get in now with zero ECs. [/quote]

I am that mom, my kids 7 and 11 have no activities unless aftercare counts. School, aftercare, home, dinner and bedtime. Weekend are always free.
Neither one wants to do sports although we tried a few when they were younger. No interest in music either. They will not be admitted to some great college and that’s ok. They’re going to be fine even if not rich.[/quote]

I’m surprised people have these low expectations of their children.

I want my kids to have every opportunity that I didn’t.[/quote]

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