When it comes to after-school clubs, I've found less is more.
After school clubs and activities have in the past caused a few headaches in our house not least because sometimes we take on more than we can handle.
If you have more than one child it makes the situation trickier as pick up times can clash and the expense mounts up. Add play dates to the mix, not to mention homework and we have a recipe, if not for disaster, at least for quite a few meltdowns.
One of my children, in his primary years, tried every club going. We went through learning the trumpet and guitar, horse-riding, fencing, athletics, football, tennis, swimming, art and craft classes and cricket, to name a few.
Eventually we suffered burn out because it became apparent that once he'd had a go, the interest died and we were left with kit like jodpurs, a guitar and a trumpet. Luckily he has younger siblings that I'm hoping might fancy learning to ride a horse or play a musical instrument (provided it's the guitar or trumpet).
But here's my problem - do you deny a curious child the opportunity to have a go or do you say "enough is enough, the bank balance can't stand it"?
Thankfully not all my children are like that, or maybe I'm just less enthusiastic to sign up children for classes unless I'm absolutely sure it's what they want. Although how do we know it's what they want without them trying it?
I also try to encourage them to do clubs at school as, selfishly, it means less running around for me (and more importantly my younger children who are not their best nearing tea-time) and less expense. So far they've done in-school music lessons, art, cookery, dance, drama, French and gardening but not all during the same period.
I'm also keen to avoid raising children who don't know how to entertain themselves. I feel lots of free-time with a dash of boredom is important for them.
My Family has some tips on balancing after-school activities and Supernanny has some ideas on how to avoid overscheduling children.
How do you manage after school activities? Do you limit them? Do you insist they do it for a set time before they're allowed to give up?
Photo copyright: Debbie Webber.
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admin
29 April, 2010
Interesting post. I haven't had to do any of this yet as my son is too young but I am thinking that when the time comes, in order to get him into a play/homework/dinner/family-time routine, that I would like to keep after school activities to once or twice a week so that the other things don't get disturbed too much. But I've no experience yet of the 'I want to do everything' requests Debbie! :)
Sue
Ready For Ten team
29 April, 2010
I feel quite lucky now I've read this - the only thing girly does is Rainbows, I suppose she'll want to do more maybe when she's older. But I really wouldn't want her to do too many things - just logistically it could turn into a nightmare.
30 April, 2010
I really enjoyed what you raised here - as a mum and a former teacher so many kids were suffering "burn out" going from club to club. It's great to open up kids to lots of different experiences but it's ALL about balance isn't it really ?
editor
30 April, 2010
Oh this has been one of my favouirite subjects, like Wendy says, it's the logistics, with my two being the same age but going to different stuff can be a bit of a headache. Like Sue says, I think balance is important. One issue we faced was Emily giving up dancing, she was v good at it but just couldn't be convinced to stay. I worry about whether we should have tried harder to do that but it's her choice and we didn't want to be pushy. They both go to Guides (started with Rainbows) they do two after school clubs - which are free - art and skipping - and go to disco dancing on a Tuesday. Melissa goes to pottery sometimes on a Saturday which she loves. I know children who go to some sort of "improving" activity every night - poor little mites wouldn't know what to do if left to their own devices. My family could never afford to send me to anything and we wanted to take the approach of encouraging them to find a passion. They are also both going to keyboard lessons on a Saturday now - but don't forget my girls are 11. Writing this down I'm very conscious it sounds a lot but they do love these different activities - some are free and Guides is v cheap - and really encourages fun and friendship, they went to Drayton Manor with the Guides this weekend and are off to Barmouth soon - they are much busier than I ever was, and they have lots of energy so good luck to 'em. I don't want to put any pressure on them but I do fear I will become pushy where school work is concerned as they get older.
mum
30 April, 2010
Good post. I've struggled with this one too.
Boy One has Aspergers and wouldn't go to anything unless ordered to but it's good for him - so he does Cubs and yoga. He also goes to a monthly youth club.
Boy Two would join everything, but can't so he is limited to the same number of things. He does Cubs and plays fooball which involves a training session.
We've toyed with more than this but this number is about right for us with one forced into it and the other held back. Otherwise it's too hard to fit everything in with homework too. I've no idea how those whose kids do 'improving' stuff every day manage it.
Over the years, however, we've done swimming, drama, tennis, keyboard and ski-ing so they have had a go at other stuff.
admin
04 May, 2010
This is also a topic I've been discussing with some of my mum friends recently... our daughter is just coming up to five and still in reception, and is absolutely exhausted at the end of the day. We did toy with the idea of French lessons after school as we are really keen for our children to speak another language, but decided that if she was this tired by 3pm, what would she be like by 4pm after a full day at school. This is something we are going to assess when she starts YR1 in September and see how she is getting on.
In terms of weekend activities, we tried ballet for a couple of months but because she has mild hemiplegia (right sided weakness) it was a no-go as she has very poor balance, and she just started swimming lessons again to try and help build on her strength, a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday. I think activities are good, but definately in moderation.
Leigh
Ready for Ten team