So, your child has joined a club, or two, or three, or . . .
It seems like you're headed somewhere every afternoon, every evening, every weekend. Is that a good thing? Certainly, that's a question every family will have to answer on their own, and it may even be different for each child within a family.
Here are some questions to help you think through that decision:
Is your child enjoying all the activities?
Sure, it looks like fun, but with so much to do, is your child really enjoying it all? Ask him. You may find out he really likes baseball and scouts but just detests drama classes. A child who isn't enjoying the club activities that are supposed to be fun, isn't going to get much out of it.
Is your child tired all the time?
I think most adults are familiar with burnout. Too much to do, too little time, too much pressure put on us to perform to standards. It just makes us tired. Children can suffer burnout, also. They spend a lot of time in school. Add multiple clubs, with the multiple achievements in each, and it can add up causing burnout and just making a child plain old tired. Take a look at your child. If she's tired, you'll see it in her face.
Are you tired all the time?
Yes, you. Sure, we all put ourselves out for our children, that's what parents do! But that doesn't mean we have to tote our children to every offered activity until we are burned out, ourselves.
How is your child's schoolwork?
Is his homework getting done properly or is it rushed and sloppy? Is he keeping up his grades or letting them slip? Yes, clubs can help build your child's future, but not without his education.
Does your child need more downtime?
In all the business that is life, your child needs a chance to relax and have some time to herself. Time that she can decide to spend however she likes. Perhaps it's reading a book or swinging in the backyard. Maybe it's chatting with friends or racing around the block. Downtime helps your child learn to make her own decisions, find things to do on her own, and just relax.
What else is going on in your family?
New babies, new jobs, grandparents or friends moving away, divorce, remarriage, illnesses, you name it, it can affect how your child thinks and feels. As things in the family change, your child's ability to participate in clubs may change as well. Sometimes a club or sport may be just what a child needs to burn off extra energy, find something stable and satisfying or just have fun. Other times, a child may need more family time, away from the rest of the world.
Pay attention to your child, as well as your family, when deciding in which clubs your child will participate. A little thought will help you find the right balance for your child.