Going back to school means lots of after-school activities, and while those activities can be great for kids, driving all across town all while making sure everyone is on time with their gear and gets fed can be a huge task for moms!
The key to getting through those busy afternoons is not over-scheduling, which can be easier said than done.
Research shows that parents who are overstretched are more stressed and children can sense that.
You don’t have to say “no” to all those beloved activities, but help your kids evaluate the important ones. If they’re really into soccer, but not so into karate anymore, discuss dropping the martial arts. Concentrating on one or two major interests might be better than dabbling in a lot.
The New York Times recently reported that the number of activities your kids participate in doesn’t necessarily have a positive influence on success in school.
When evalauting what to keep, also consider if your child is participating for their own interst, or yours. If your daughter is only a cheerleader because you were, she might not be doing it for herself and that could be something to skip.
Teaching your kids now that it’s okay to say no, and that you can’t always do everything will be a valuable lesson, as well as lightening your work load.
How do you keep a handle on busy schedules filled with activities?
