Better to have late practice for 5th graders than 7th graders, who have to catch 6:45 am buses.

My 9 year old 3rd grader had travel soccer until 8:30 one day per week this spring--the other practice day was earlier. I didn't love it, but it wasn't a big deal. Almost everything was done before practice--homework, dinner, instrument practice, whatever. Practice ended at 8:30 and was thankfully just up the street so DS went home, showered, got a quick snack and was usually in bed around 9:00 or slightly after. I wouldn't really think twice about it for 5th grader.

Also OP, is this your oldest? I think parents struggle most with this as the oldest trasitions form little kid to big kid. It will be okay. They all grow up and your current comfy routine will change, and it will change again, when they are 13-14 and starting practice at 5:30am for swimming or 8:45pm for volleyball. It is totally normal and out of your control. You can choose to change or say no to the team. Is that really what you want for your child?

OP, you are going to love it. The late slot is wonderful for that age group. They can come home from school, have some downtime, tackle homework, have dinner. They get to go exercise and spend time with friends without anything hanging over them. It's great.

You can drop off, clean up the day, set up for the next day, all while down one child. Even if it is helping siblings prep for bed, it gives a time block so their is no dawdling. Once the 5th grader is home the day is over. You can relax. Really don't knock it until you try it. We LOVE it.


As a side note, those of you that do not prefer it. Why? and what do you suggest. It is easy to complain but what are your solutions that the teams aren't considering? I am genuinely curious and wondering if I am missing something here. I am sure the organizers would love your feedback too.

It's a function of court availability in the county's gyms. Youth sport participation continues to grow and gym space is relatively fixed. There will be even older kids waiting for the court at 8:30.

That'd be too late for me to accept. Sleep is crucial for so many things. My 7th grader goes up to bed at 8:30. Actually, so does my 9th grader, though he usually doesn't turn the lights off til 9:30. And he gets up at 5:40, so he still isn't getting enough sleep for his age.
Not sure what I'd do because of course exercise is important too. Guess I'd look for a different team.

If it is too late, what do you recommend to help change the schedules?

Most of my 11 year old's week night baseball games this spring were 7:30-9:30pm. There were times when the kids didn't play well, and I think it was in part because they were tired!

Is this a consequence of later school start times?

It would be too late for us.

Sleep is such a building block of physical health, mental health, and cognitive health. I won't sacrifice it for sports or extra curriculars. A practice ending at 8:30 means the child likely isn't in bed until 9:30 by the time they drive home, wind down, have a snack, get ready for bed etc.

Summer I would if they could sleep in.

I realize that arena and gym time can be hard to get but unfortunately for us, it would mean a no go.

My kid only played tee ball but I was surprised even then how late some of the games were scheduled - I think baseball just runs particularly late, and as others have said youngest kids go first and older ones get later times.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, unfortunately, activities get ridiculously late as the kids get older, and it was a problem for my son, who needed a lot of sleep, and not only sleep, but downtime before sleep. It's like the organizers think a kid can just go to his house, located near the activity, and flop into bed. No, actually, travel takes time, my son can't eat in a vehicle, he needs to shower and by the time bedtime rolls around, it's later than his usual bedtime.

Do you think it is magical thinking by the organizers or a function of space availability? Something like a basketball court, ice rink, dance studio, etc has a limited number of groups that can use it at one time. With kids not getting off the school bus until after 4:20 or so in some areas, it pushes back on the start times and therefore the practice times for everyone.

Yes, unfortunately, activities get ridiculously late as the kids get older, and it was a problem for my son, who needed a lot of sleep, and not only sleep, but downtime before sleep. It's like the organizers think a kid can just go to his house, located near the activity, and flop into bed. No, actually, travel takes time, my son can't eat in a vehicle, he needs to shower and by the time bedtime rolls around, it's later than his usual bedtime.

I think that's normal for 10-11 year olds. The younger kids usually have earlier practices.

Just found out basketball times for my daughter. Is this a normal time? It seems late but they are getting older, is this time block to be expected. It is 2x a week 7-8:30. Floating game times on weekends. Some ending as late as 8pm.