Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

1. When fewer kids were available for playing after school
2. When college admissions changed and then again when the volume was cranked up

3. When people wished their parents had done better.

I agree with this, actually. My parents never pushed me to stick with any activities and I regret that I didn't participate in any sports as a child. I'll continue to encourage my kids to try new things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

Me too. There was zero activities after school, but I grew up in Eastern Europe. We just played with neighboorhood kids. We all grew up pretty smart and successful.

And you spend your evenings here...

I'm not the same poster, but that seems really offensive. You do realize that there are kids who can't do activities regardless if they want to or not.

DP. True, but 20:36’s tone was dismissive.

If your talking about me saying that some kids can't do activities at all, I don't understand how that's dismissive? I wasn't trying to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not acceptable in our house. Each kid must do at least one weekly activity for their brain and one for their body. Either they choose or we choose for them.

What activity are you having them do for their body if they're not good at sports? And do you get endless complaining? I guess I need to get better at ignoring that.

Not PP but my children are required to be in a sport every season regardless of their skill.

Yuck.

Are you the same poster of the "activity for non-sporty teen" post?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

Me too. There was zero activities after school, but I grew up in Eastern Europe. We just played with neighboorhood kids. We all grew up pretty smart and successful.

And you spend your evenings here...

I'm not the same poster, but that seems really offensive. You do realize that there are kids who can't do activities regardless if they want to or not.

DP. True, but 20:36’s tone was dismissive.

I think young boys should partake in some sort of physical activity. As they hit puberty, having an outlet for the raging hormones is a necessity. If not team sports, Martial arts, track, biking anything active will help them with managing stress, aggressions and competition.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

Me too. There was zero activities after school, but I grew up in Eastern Europe. We just played with neighboorhood kids. We all grew up pretty smart and successful.

And you spend your evenings here...

I'm not the same poster, but that seems really offensive. You do realize that there are kids who can't do activities regardless if they want to or not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

Me too. There was zero activities after school, but I grew up in Eastern Europe. We just played with neighboorhood kids. We all grew up pretty smart and successful.

And you spend your evenings here...

That was a large thread. It seems like those poster ha bigger issues more than just lack of activities, but I can see what you mean now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

1. When fewer kids were available for playing after school
2. When college admissions changed and then again when the volume was cranked up

3. When people wished their parents had done better.

What do you mean by that?

Someone else’s thread, but relatable:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/737411.page

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not acceptable in our house. Each kid must do at least one weekly activity for their brain and one for their body. Either they choose or we choose for them.

What activity are you having them do for their body if they're not good at sports? And do you get endless complaining? I guess I need to get better at ignoring that.

Start a biz mowing lawns or gardening. Doesn’t have to be sports.

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

Me too. There was zero activities after school, but I grew up in Eastern Europe. We just played with neighboorhood kids. We all grew up pretty smart and successful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

1. When fewer kids were available for playing after school
2. When college admissions changed and then again when the volume was cranked up

3. When people wished their parents had done better.

What do you mean by that?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also when did activities become some sort of childhood necessity? I didn't grow up with many kids who did activities.

1. When fewer kids were available for playing after school
2. When college admissions changed and then again when the volume was cranked up

3. When people wished their parents had done better.

If he likes to read, how about a creative writing class? Or photography? He could do yearbook or newspaper in high school. This was my main activity in high school, looked good on a college app as I was editor my senior year. I went to school events and then wrote about them.

Other ideas:
Speech and debate
Frisbee golf
Bowling league
Key club
Robotics

He’s not interested in clubs Bc he’s shy and it’s awkward. It’s easier to say no and avoid the uncomfortable early moments. You have to push these kids, in a kind and understanding way. They are being allowed to turn inward in themselves and be anxious and fearful due to an anxiety based culture and reliance on devices. The only way past it is to do what makes you uncomfortable, not avoid those situations.

That’s not to say don’t let him have downtime - if he’s busier during the week, chilling at home is ok.