Comments on: Keeping the Activity Level Sane

By: Cave Mother

Cave Mother — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:54:51 +0000

I’m a joiner, then a go-for-a-bit-er, then a quitter. Also, I’m a bit flaky. When I have more than one appointment a day, I get stressed. So I’m just not in your joining league I’m afraid.

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:08:53 +0000

I don’t think there’s anything WRONG with joining classes or being a “joiner” as you say. But if it’s becoming stressful, why not do as Lady M suggests and maybe set a self-imposed limit… “each family member will be in no more than _____ groups” or “we will spend no more than ____ days a week in classes/groups.”
.-= Emily´s last post ..screen time =-.

By: TheFeministBreeder

TheFeministBreeder — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:28:42 +0000

I am beyond guilty of this. I simply do not know my limits – or I think I don’t have any. It leaves me endlessly stressed, frustrated, and exhausted. I simply cannot stop. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think I’m probably manic though, but that works to my advantage in many situations, so I don’t want to medicate it out of existence.

The most frustrating part is that even though I take on all these extra tasks, I feel like I have little to show for it. I have little sense of accomplishment outside of my actual schoolwork where someone is required to grade me.

Bah. I don’t know, but if you find a way to slow down, send me the recipe!
.-= TheFeministBreeder´s last post ..John Scalzi, on “Being Poor” =-.

By: Lady M

Lady M — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:16:27 +0000

I used to be sooo oversubscribed to activities, but that was before I had kids. Then I cut way back and I’m worried that I’m depriving them of cool experiences. Sigh.

Maybe you could set a limit of one activity per person?
.-= Lady M´s last post ..More Balloon, Now with Lightsaber Options! =-.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:13:37 +0000

I want to join things but then I get scared and chicken out. A small part of me is scared of the commitment but a bigger part of me is a little scared of new situations where I meet new people. I can fake it if I need to and then it’s all good but it takes a lot of energy to psych myself up.

I’ve been considering joining some stuff though. We’re all cooped up too much at home. I’d like to try a yoga class myself and I think it’s time that K joined something – maybe swimming or soccer or… I think one activity per person in the house is good. That way no one becomes overwhelmed and there’s still some free time too.
.-= Marilyn´s last post ..Are Toy Guns Really Necessary? =-.

By: Francesca

Francesca — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:10:12 +0000

There are so many classes and courses I'd join if there were any available here! Apart from sports, there are a few classes for young children who, say, are just going to be playing with/"experiencing" clay, and nothing for older kids (and adults) who could actually learn to throw pots. And I've developed my personal theory that little children don't benefit all that much from these classes. .-= Francesca´s last post ..Thrifting in my neck of the woods =-.

By: *pol

*pol — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:27:50 +0000

I am so the opposite!

My poor kids have been born to home-bodies. Though I enjoy activities once I get there, I absolutely dispise the packing up of the kids and fighting of traffic to get there!

We tried Karate for the oldest, but he HATED the act of getting there. So we both were suffering every Thursday until we had a huge fight and he quit (much to my relief and disapointment). We also joined the BMX track last year and only went a dozen times. And there was the drop-in badminton for kids…. 3 times.

Maybe we just can’t commit?
.-= *pol´s last post ..Because you asked… =-.

By: heather

heather — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:06:08 +0000

I actually cut out all activities and it was only a few to begin with. I am going to do a music class in Jan. w/ my 2yo, but only him because he is showing an aptitude and never gets me to himself.

Part of why I got of the hamster wheel is that although art, pottery, kiddie gym or even organized sports may be fun, it’s not necessary. It takes away from the opportunity to learn to do something with four hours of nothing time.

So yes, the nature center classes may be interesting, but a six week investment is not necessarily better than a one day family trip, yk? I don’t think I’ll regret that they’re not good enough for travel soccer at age 9.

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:13:37 +0000

Running in all sorts of directions is challeging. Last year my stepdaughter (14) played soccer 3 days a week, driving up to an hour each way. She also played volleyball and basketball in school. Toss in friend time and family time and homework and she was a busy little thing.

I have always loved our library and so find myself one morning a week heading to story time. One morning a week I find myself heading to a local playgroup in a church basement. Two days a week Emma has playschool and Hannah and I have our own time.

Activites for Emma really started this year. She wanted to dance. It is a 10 month committment for one night a week. She also tried out for a musical and managed to get a part. Rehersal’s are two nights a week and run until 9 pm. Did I mention all of our evening activitis are at least a 25 minute drive down the highway? For Emma, this is it. This is all she can handle. Next year when she is five she can join Cubs here in th village and she can also travel on the ‘swim bus’ (a really great program our village offers, which picks up school aged children after school and drives them to the pool for lessons for 2 weeks straight, three times a year).

Hannah isn’t enrolled in anything specifically just for her. She is only three. Next year she can dance, or play soccer or do whatever she wants. I am sure both girls will play softball in the Learn To Play Program this spring.

Come June though we are done until the fall. Our days last year were spent splashing in the lake and playing in the park. It was nice to have the days to ourselves to do whatever with.

For myself, I have joined a book club and the library board. I am the playschool sercretary too. Steve is on the Fire Department now and some nights we have three different activies in two different towns, all at the same time! I can’t imagine adding any more to our already packed life. Plus, it is nice to have some time to just be together as a family, wihtout having to be here, there and everywhere.

When Hannah is four, she can join an activity like her big sister. But, only one.
.-= Heather´s last post ..Child Raising Refresher =-.

By: Recovering Procrastinator

Recovering Procrastinator — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:40:48 +0000

I don’t have a problem with joining too much stuff for myself. I actually would like to find more activities for me now that we had to cancel our gym membership.

But I also am wondering how many activities are appropriate for kids. Grace is in gymnastics every week and I plan to get her into a 10-week swimming class soon. But she wants to take ballet too. I can’t decide if that’s too much for a 5-year-old. She asks about it almost every day. :/
.-= Recovering Procrastinator´s last post ..A last-minute St. Nick’s Day =-.