Recently I've had conversations with a few friends about the pressure (some external, some self-induced) to have our children in extracurricular activities. We've done dance, toddler gymnastics, t-ball, ice skating, and soccer in the past. Our family is not especially athletic or sports-enthusiastic (besides the Olympics), but I see the value of sports for fitness, teamwork, discipline, etc. Yet, with all the other things I want to accomplish with the kids (and things I don't want to accomplish like dishes and laundry), it would be very challenging to shuttle one child to and from activities, let alone three. We barely make it to church each Sunday. Activity fees can also be very expensive, not to mention uniforms and equipment.
We are currently on hiatus from extra-curriculars, but for next season I will consider signing up for one activity per child. Would it be awful to do two activities per season, while one child takes a break? (Who takes the break first?) The 2008-2009 county activity guide is out, so I'll peruse, consider, debate, agonize, and get back to you.
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I have many thoughts. Some children can handle being driven around to multiple scheduled activities and some may say they don't like eating grapes anymore as a way to say "I'm stressed out". As long as we parents can read the cues I think it's fine to do 2 activities per child.
We all have our idea of being "well-rounded" (I guess this gets us into college). God has gifted us in certain ways and then we go and top it off by exploring our more "ungifted" sides to become "well-rounded" individuals. Is this what God wants for us? (this is what I'm asking myself) Or maybe it doesn't have to be so deep. He has already outlined for us what kind of people we are to be. As long as that is our focus I think our kids will be fine.
As a side note, and I'm sure I have lost some of you with my ramblings, soccer and dance are not the ONLY fun physical activities for children. A lot of these sports have become very "me" centered. It's about the position we play, winning and losing (yes we can learn lessons on being gracious losers, but it's still about us!). Here is where I zap all the fun out of being a child: are there enriching physical activities where we use our energy and bodies for the sole purpose of edifying someone else? Is there a Habitat for Humanity for kids? Or a 'Get Out and Recycle' activity for little ones? I don't know, but it's worth looking into.
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