So true! I see it all the time, some kids are in 3-5 different afterschool programs and weekends are booked up too. I personally am not a fan of that and under schedule my kids a lot. I love when we are at home and they just make up a game to play or grab a book. I find it drives curiosity and growth. But it is against the grain as my kids are not in the sprint of math program with their friends or learning karate with their friends. Are they missing out on life experience? Maybe. But are they enjoying their free time, yes as they ask for all the time.
I think you are doing a wonderful thing for their development by doing so. They will remember the way they felt relaxed, free, calm and creative at home, and that is such a gift for them to carry forward in their lives. The pressure is immense so it’s no small thing that you are resisting it and protecting your children from it. They can let you know when they are ready for more. They have lots of time to explore new things and organised classes aren’t always the best context for natural socialisation anyway. The FOMO is real but it’s freeing to reject it sometimes if our deeper instincts are guiding us to.
Yes, and that freedom is what you remember as golden. I find it’s often the simplest of things that bring my children — and all of us as a family — the most joy.
It's like our kids don't even know how to play anymore...you know, like a normal kid. They have to watch a youtube video that teaches them how to play. Isn't this supposed to be their area of expertise? ;)
Yeah, that's messed up... play IS natural learning, so the impact of not doing it is major. Add in school which gives them facts and rules and tells everyone THAT's learning. Thankful for those of us who are aware of these inverted pitfalls and can consciously choose to avert them for our children.
So true! I see it all the time, some kids are in 3-5 different afterschool programs and weekends are booked up too. I personally am not a fan of that and under schedule my kids a lot. I love when we are at home and they just make up a game to play or grab a book. I find it drives curiosity and growth. But it is against the grain as my kids are not in the sprint of math program with their friends or learning karate with their friends. Are they missing out on life experience? Maybe. But are they enjoying their free time, yes as they ask for all the time.
I think you are doing a wonderful thing for their development by doing so. They will remember the way they felt relaxed, free, calm and creative at home, and that is such a gift for them to carry forward in their lives. The pressure is immense so it’s no small thing that you are resisting it and protecting your children from it. They can let you know when they are ready for more. They have lots of time to explore new things and organised classes aren’t always the best context for natural socialisation anyway. The FOMO is real but it’s freeing to reject it sometimes if our deeper instincts are guiding us to.
So true! I have FOMO that my kids are missing out but I try to remind myself that I was not over scheduled as a kids and it helped me develop
Yes, and that freedom is what you remember as golden. I find it’s often the simplest of things that bring my children — and all of us as a family — the most joy.
It's like our kids don't even know how to play anymore...you know, like a normal kid. They have to watch a youtube video that teaches them how to play. Isn't this supposed to be their area of expertise? ;)
Yeah, that's messed up... play IS natural learning, so the impact of not doing it is major. Add in school which gives them facts and rules and tells everyone THAT's learning. Thankful for those of us who are aware of these inverted pitfalls and can consciously choose to avert them for our children.