It’s Wednesday and that means that my friend Lisa Graf from Mom Blog and I are posting our weekly parenting blog. (Got one you would like to hear our thoughts on? Comment or contact us with it!) She is raising 4 small children 6 and under and I have 3 grown kids all in their early to mid-20′s. We thought it would be fun to show the different perspective that each of us have on the same parenting issues.
Outside Activities and Your Kids
Today we are going to talk about the children’s involvement in activities outside of the family. This was always a hard thing to gauge for me I think kids should be active but not busy. What do I mean by this? Behind every activity there should be a reason, something that the kids are learning. Now I didn’t say that to them but church, sports, 4-H were our core activities. With three kids I also looked for things that more then one child could be involved in. It didn’t always work but when they where young and without a driver’s license I tried to limit as many trips as I could.
I was strict about church activities Wednesday and Sunday were church activities period. Sports sometimes caused problems with scheduling practices or games during those times. But I found most coaches understood and soon learned that the Snyder kids wouldn’t be there on those days. Kids would be upset to begin with but they also learned that was just how it was.
I had a friend who owned a campground. She hired 14 year olds to rack the place and keep it picked up during the summer. All three kids started out their gainful employment there and worked all through high school. When they got in high school, our daughter managed the camp store; our oldest boy was in charge of the honey pot (if you know what I mean.) And our youngest worked the beach. He was on the swim team so it was a great place for him.
By the time the kids had their drivers license they had as much freedom as they wanted once their school was done, they had their chores done and they worked out a schedule with their siblings for the car that they were allowed to share. One memory that stands out in my mind is when the kids where fighting over the car in front of their dad. He took the keys for a week. Don’t fight in front of daddy. When each kid got their own car is looked like we owned a car lot!
The best thing I have to share is don’t let your kids get to busy to early. When they are in their late teen years it seems like they are always on the go. Make sure to watch them and know if they are taking care of themselves. Parents have to be the watchmen to protect your kids and to make sure the activities are fun and not stressful.
Lisa’s Turn:
Lisa has been traveling this last week and will get her part of the blog out as soon as possible.
I must be honest but with six children, we have chosen not to put them in activities at the same time. At one point we became overwhelmed from having too many outside commitments.
We try to do more things once the school year is over.
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With having six kiddos I can understand your thought process. We pulled way back with just 3 and it still seemed like we were always busy running.
Our son and daughter-in-law are very committed to having lots of outdoor time with 4.5 year old Bobby – it’s so good to see because he also loves video games, so they are working for a healthy balance. Short grandma story about Bobby and his golf game (!!) which he loves. He follows the steps his dad has taught him, the stance, the hands, the hit; then he shades his eyes to watch the ball sail anywhere from 10-15 feet and the last step is when he announces: “Golf clap”! I think he’s seen too many golf matches on TV and expects the applause. But he’s outside, isn’t he?
How cute! Golf clap. I’m sure grandma is happy to give it. 8) And your son & daughter-in-law are doing great to share outside activities with their boy. You can tell he and his dad must be great buddies!
Our rule is that we go all out September to March, cut down drastically from April to June, and totally chill for the summer. It works well to accommodate the early fall enthusiasm, and the winding down in preparation for end of year exams and recitals.
But boy, it’s STILL a ton of driving and crazy logistics!!
I enjoyed reading about your kids
Dee
Dee Ankary recently posted..Did You Unintentionally Go Viral?
Thanks Dee. I appreciate your reading & commenting. I like how you handle the activity shuffle with your kids.
i find it more complicated to get my son outside for activities … school is all he does!
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That might be his personality and if he is happy doing that then no harm. My oldest enjoyed computers and did that more then sports.
We have tons of things our kids are involved in…we are currently trying to prioritize and cut back. At this time we are out of the house 7 days per week including Sunday church. Heeelp!
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Jackie that is the war cry of the parent isn’t it? Heeelp! I feel your pain even if each child cuts back on the number of activities if there is more then one child it is still a constant taxi service operation. I can make you feel worse…wait till they start driving themselves! Your prayer life will increase, I know mine did.