Do you get dcs involved in extra activities?

[ErikasMess]

DS1 was taking ice hockey lessons, but that fizzled out when he couldn't keep up with the other kids. He is taking piano lessons now that he enjoys and is doing well with. BUT... now he's asking for martial arts, swimming, soccer, and t-ball. How much is too much??

[melissab]

My DD who is almost 6 has one after school activity right now. She goes to dance once a week for 45 mins. I was going to put her in gymnastics too,but dh said that would be to much right now.

I think it depends on the child and how much you think they can handle. Next year when she's in first grade, she will be in gymnastics and maybe karate.

[califred]

We do one sport and one other activity a season, that's my limit.

[IvyGreen]

My oldest is 5 and just started karate. Right now we are limiting her to that one activity. She hasn't shown interest in doing anything else. I prefer for her to find one activity to focus all of her attention on rather than trying to do a little bit of everything.

[EvilBad]

DS is going to start soccer this year, and swimming lessons.

They'll both just be an excuse for him to burn energy, so I don't think it's too much.

Maybe next year he'll do karate, but probably just soccer again until he's old enough to express interest in something else.

He'll be 4 next month.

[charon]

Originally posted by ErikasMess
He is taking piano lessons now that he enjoys and is doing well with. BUT... now he's asking for martial arts, swimming, soccer, and t-ball. How much is too much??

I think piano is a great but challenging activity for any child. If you are going to allow him any other activity in addition to this, I would personally limit it to one only. However, you know your child best and what he can/cannot handle.

How old is he? In my book, that would factor into the equation big time, especially if he's in school right now. If he's in the 5-7 age range, I found through experience with my ds that he was interested in every sport under the sun but most things fizzled out and after trying on different shoes he found one that fit him perfectly and wore it well for several years later. ;)

[califred]

Erika,

Tball and soccer should be in opposite seasons, My son is allowed one sport a season so soccer in teh fall, tball in the spring, swimming lessons in the summer and then one other activity which is about to become guitar lessons

[HollyH]

She has a lot of activity at daycare/preschool (music, etc.), but I like to do something w/her on Saturdays. We've done Music Together a few times, and now we just started taking a movement class in January. I think we're going to do a swimming class in the Spring.

[ErikasMess]

Thank you for all the responses. He's 5 and a ball of energy. We thought that he'd really take to the hockey lessons, but $1000 worth of equipment and lessons later he has no interest. The piano he's doing great with, it's only once a week for 35-40minutes so I know that he could probably get involved in a physical activity...but 2 or more I am not too sure about. It helps to see what other moms are doing so that I can kind of compare his activity to other kids roughly the same age. Thanks again!

[justa]

Well, my ds is 5 almost 6 and he currently does Kung Fu 1x a week and will be starting soccer this season as well, which will be 1 pratice and 1 game per week; so 3 days per week of extra curricular activities. Since each thing is only about an hour at a time, I think he'll be abe to handle it. If he can't, then I'll know that for next sport season, and he'll have to choose between Kung Fu and whatever new activity he's interested.

[Dancemom]

I really think it varies from child to child. I started my daughter with once a week dance lessons when she was 5 years old. At the end of that year we were told she was talented and now at 10 years old she has a full load of classes including tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, stage, 2 technique classes plus 3 solos and a duo. 5 years ago I would have snubbed my nose at a parent putting their kid in so much, but my daughter loves it and would honestly do MORE if I let her.

I would never say all kids need that kind of load (and I'm a teacher who thinks MOST kids couldn't handle it), but I think you'll just know when you've found the right balance for your child. If I were you, I'd start with one activity and if that's going well, then add another. You'll know pretty quick if it's too much.

Michelle