We have had a pretty busy week — a lot of school functions and house repairs, a lot of running around and just generally trying to stay on top of it all. Hoping for a nice relaxing weekend full of reading and lying around!
And speaking of reading (and running around too much), if you’re up for it, head over to the Washington Post to read an article I recently wrote about extra-curricular activities and our choice not to engage the kids in them (just yet). Have a wonderful weekend!
Great article in the post. Your neighborhood soccer game sounds like a lot of fun.
We were adamant about no extras at all for the first five years. Because we both work full time, our summers are full of camps – so my oldest gets to really explore some of her interests between 9-4 each day, but the evenings are free. Both girls play the violin (which I love), but lessons are part of the curriculum (although practice time is after school or on weekends, of course). Their school also has some fun clubs, which are really easy ways to explore other interests in a very small group setting – things as varied as rocket club or ukulele club. We do have a membership at our local Y, and I love their inexpensive (and short) class offerings because our girls have so many interests but we simply don’t have the time (or the desire) to over commit. The little one did an 8 week dance class, and we’ve done swimming there as well.
Our one organized group sport is soccer. The season is very short, but it’s a lot of fun, and only a two hour commitment a week – one for practice and one for play. It was particularly beneficial for my older daughter – because our school is so small we team up with other city schools for things like this, and she’s made some really good friends over the years. I think it also made the transition from a tiny, independent school to a larger, more traditional middle school a little easier.
Our biggest issue with being busy is our grownup schedule! When I figure that one out, I’ll let you know! 🙂 Our girls really have to be in school or in some other organized club or sport during those working hours. We are careful with our evenings and weekends, but still – balance, it’s elusive sometimes!