Comments on: The overscheduled child? https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/ Writer, Author, Speaker Mon, 03 Feb 2020 18:10:20 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Alice https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-107483 Mon, 03 Feb 2020 18:10:20 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-107483 I took the executive decision that no term time sports activities outside of school but instead intense sports camps in the long summer holidays with friends. AKA as holiday childcare without the whinge. During the term, it is homework and unscripted park exercise and running. Plus weekday playdates with friends whose parents are very happy to have extra evening childcare. Then they have them at weekends in exchange. For the moment it works…

]]> By: Friday Favorites: December 11 - Blessed by Brenna https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30587 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:34:36 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30587 […] activities feel draining and maddening is when the kids don’t want to do them.” – a good look at whether children truly are “over-scheduled” by Laura […]

]]> By: Donna Patterson https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30586 Mon, 07 Dec 2015 04:19:36 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30586 I love the concept of the 168 hours and see the value of planning that way. All the articles have trade offs though. I would love to see articles about people that have to be in the office from 9 to 6. No option of flex time, working from home,etc Having flexibility is a huge benefit that not everyone has available to them.

]]> By: Marie https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30585 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 16:50:16 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30585 I agree with Marg that middle school and beyond are game changers due to increased homework. Also, at least IME, practices, etc., tend to be scheduled later so that the younger kids get the afternoon. I’m thrilled that my 11yo has her green belt in karate; not so thrilled that her classes now end at 8:30 p.m. when she has to be up at 6 a.m.

Also, and again this might be just IME, but most of our carpools disappeared after 5th grade or so. Kids become more specialized in one or two intensive activities; I’m not necessarily friends with the parents of my kids’ friends anymore; many families are dealing with multiple kids and activities by that age; more instances of two parents back at work full time; and the like are just some of the reasons I have run up against.

]]> By: The overscheduled child? | Healthy Marriage Lin... https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30584 Fri, 27 Nov 2015 01:41:53 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30584 […] I wrote much of this essay in the space of time before I brought my 8-year-old to swim practice. He swims on a competitive team and has practice three times per week. His team practices year-round, and he’s quite happy with it. We never have to cajole him to go. We (meaning me, my husband, and our n  […]

]]> By: Ana https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30583 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 17:20:49 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30583 In reply to TKL.

I wonder about how to approach this issue, as well because of several childhood experiences in which I wish my parents had done the opposite of what they did (either pushed me to continue in something I hated and was terrible at it or let me quit something I enjoyed and was good at in a huff). I think having ongoing conversations with the child and getting at the bottom of why they want to quit is important. But at age 5, meh, I have no desire to argue with a kid about something like that.

]]> By: Marg https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30582 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 12:59:36 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30582 My experience has been that as they age, through middle school and high school, the demands of homework can get really tough.
Doing travel sports and/or 4x week dance can lead to really stressed out kids. (Don’t get me started on the honors and AP course loads in high school). It takes a certain kind of kid to juggle that. Knowing the limits of each individual child really helps make the decision to dial down or amp up easier.

]]> By: ARC https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30581 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 03:48:22 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30581 In reply to lauravanderkam.

Yep! A one hour dance class is a TON of time and they have free Wi-Fi as well. Even in T’s 30 min piano lesson it’s enough time for me to fill out my paper planner for the coming week.

]]> By: lauravanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30580 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 20:36:42 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30580 In reply to ARC.

@ARC – I think having something to do is key. When I’m on swim duty, I’ve brought my laptop and it’s been shockingly productive. Much like working in a (warm) coffee shop.

]]> By: lauravanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/11/the-overscheduled-child/#comment-30579 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 20:35:54 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=5796#comment-30579 In reply to Ingrid.

@Ingrid – I like this. Requests to sign up for activities must include a plan for getting there/back. Life-changing!

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