Anonymous wrote:Mine either. I’m totally fine with it. When she’s interested, she’ll let me know. And in the meantime, I will spend all my time driving my older DS to soccer.

I don’t think it is the kid’s job to ask the parents. It is the parents’ job to enrich the children.

I have 3 kids and youngest is in kindergarten so 5 years old. I felt I did neglect her a bit for older siblings’ sports and activities. Now she swims, dances and plays piano. I am not sure if and when if I asked her. I just signed her up for swim. I did ask her about piano and she wanted to play.

I have a friend who just put her daughter in swim lessons at age 12. Seems late.

Mine either. I’m totally fine with it. When she’s interested, she’ll let me know. And in the meantime, I will spend all my time driving my older DS to soccer.

Do you mean extracurricular activities like art, sports, music?

I would let her try something. I have a kindergarten daughter and she likes to be in classes with friends. It is like a play date. I think if I asked her to sign up for something and asked her, she would say no.

What are you worried will happen if your 6yo doesn’t take any classes?

Has she taken any classes in the past? If you've signed her up for stuff and she doesn't like it and resists going, don't make her. Wait and try again in the summer.

But if she's never taken a regular class, I'd see if you can find something that aligns with an existing interest and give it a shot. She might just be scared of trying something new or being in a new environment, and need to learn how to move through that fear to see if she might enjoy it. I had a very shy kid who was not initially excited about activities but then finding a couple she liked wound up being part of the key to helping her to build confidence.

It's totally okay to wait if she's just not ready, but if the issue is just fear of the unknown, this is actually a great low-stakes way to help demystify that for her.

Let her b down time is good.

What classes have you offered/suggested? What does she like doing instead? I would at least do swim lessons unless she can already swim. Maybe in the spring age will change her mind.

Let her be. She’s just 6! Having 6 year olds run around to a bunch of classes is a new-ish thing and geographically and class limited anyway. It’s not like it’s a universal expectation for all kids and she must be able to do it or she’s missing an essential skill. She just happens to live in a family and neighborhood where her peers are doing it.

At six, my younger kid didn't want to either. Going from half day preschool, to full day Kindergarten, even though his school was gentle and lots of outside time, was a big adjustment, and going from that to sitting for most of the day in First Grade was another adjustment. By dismissal he just wanted to run and play. He didn't have any anxiety about it, he just didn't want more structure and adult direction.

Now in middle school, he wants to sign up for all the things, and I'm the one saying "leave time for family!" or "we can't afford another activity".

Hey my son is exactly the same. What's kind of worked so far....he will do swimming. He'll do any individual non-competitive activity. For him it is some sort of anxiety, so I have to make sure there's no mention of awards, competition, often we have to do private lessons.

It's tough but we keep trying, otherwise he's at home following me around all the time.

Is she anxious? If it's anxiety holding her back, then I would try. Tell her to pick something, doesn't have to be a sport. Art. Theater. Swimming is important for them to learn. And work through the fears.

Let her be.

Like school, or after school activities?

Save your money until she is interested.

Should I let her be, or make her try one or two at a time?