More and more kids are becoming involved in multiple extracurricular activities. But at what expense?
The Problem of Overscheduling
Today’s kids are juggling a lot. In addition to school obligations, many are also involved in numerous activities such as sports teams, music lessons, dance, karate, church groups, gymnastics, and clubs, to name just a few. Many kids are involved in more than one activity at a time. In addition, the demands of some of these activities have increased from what today’s parents may remember from their own childhood. Competition levels have heightened, time commitments have grown, and the pressure to perform has never been so high.
Why are Kids Overscheduled?
Lots of reasons. For one, many parents feel that letting kids play freely outdoors is too dangerous. Many adults may remember spending the bulk of their time just “hanging out” in the neighborhood, but for many kids today, that isn’t a safe option. Instead, they are involved in organized, structured activities with lots of supervision.
Many parents may also believe that they are giving their child necessary “opportunities” by having them participate in as many activities as possible. Some may even feel that starting certain activities (such as sports, dance, etc.) at a young age, and keeping kids extremely active in these activities, is necessary for future success. And, for some parents, working long hours may necessitate finding care options for their child. They may feel that participating in a variety of activities is preferable to spending time unsupervised, and possibly getting into trouble.
The Risks of Too Many Activities
Being involved in too many structured activities can cause huge amounts of stress for kids. When activities are performance-based, like sports, kids may worry about their skills in comparison to other kids. Pressures to perform may diminish any enjoyment the child may derive from participation. Numerous obligations may also cut sharply into study routines, and grades may suffer as a result.
Shuttling kids from one activity to another impacts family time and even simple things like eating dinner together may become a thing of the past. Most importantly, too much structured time doesn’t allow the time needed for kids to relax, reflect, explore, and have fun. Creativity and imagination can suffer, and the pressure can quickly cause kids to become anxious and worried.
What Can You Do?
- Keep structured activities under control. Allow plenty of time for kids to hang out with their friends, use their imaginations, read books, and develop hobbies.
- Let kids choose their own activities. Avoid forcing kids to participate in an activity simply because its “good for them.” It can cause stress and resentment. A better idea is to research a couple of options and discuss them together, letting your child ultimately decide which one he prefers.
- Look of for signs of stress. A drop in grades, changes in sleeping or eating, an increase in physical complaints, experimentation with drugs or alcohol, complaints about or avoidance of activities: these can be signs that your child has taken on too much.
- Make family time a priority. Spending time together should take precedence over each family member pursuing their individual activities. Healthy activities like walking, biking, or gardening together can also help keep stress levels at bay.
