Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

I realized when reading the responses to GoldenRod's post, that my kids don't really do any activities. My DS is 9 and is really not interested in organized sports. He does chess club at the library during the school year, and swimming in the summer. We did scouts for 2 years but the scout leader was a mess and the aggravation was over the top. We go to stuff at the school and are active in our church, but my kids don't really have ACTIVITIES.

My philosophy on it has always been that they have enough time to do extracurriculars in middle and high school. Now is the time to spend with family. He sees his friends every day after school (it's a small, tight-knit neighborhood) but I'm not willing to schlep all over the place with them and still fit in family time, homework, and a nutritious dinner, which I think are more important at this age. He doesn't get home until almost 4pm; I don't know where we would fit it.

Am I the only one???

Re: Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

I dought you are the only one. I think it becomes what works for your family and it sounds like it works . Though I will say kids can still have all the activities time for family and healthy meals

Message edited 5/27/2010 10:28:02 AM.

Re: Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

I would count chess club and swimming as activities. Team sports are not for everyone.

I think its all about balance and every family has to find their own balance. We are a one child family so DS loves his activites as much for the peer socilization as for the actual activity.

Re: Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

my older dd is 13 and she really didnt do activities when she was younger(dance for 2 yrs,brownies and tball in kindergarden and basketball in 5th grade)
but it wasnt anything major and now she regrets not being involved the way all her friends are in afterschool activities and she was just coming home going on computer........now she is in track and she really likes being part of the team

my 8yr old is crazy into soccer and is busy everyday with either practice, training and games and she is very good and very close with her teammates etc
I feel its good for them to be involved and kept busy instead of just playing video games or on the computer or watching tv

Re: Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

My kids don't do the video game/TV/computer thing. They come home, do homework, and go outside to play with friends in the neighborhood.

I don't think it's EITHER a screen or an organized activity.... they do other things.

I think it's a struggle to raise well-balanced kids who aren't over-scheduled. Two of my son's friends do an after-school activity every day of the week. They can never play after school, and they can never go to birthday parties or come over on the weekends because of games. I think a lot of kids do too much.

Re: Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

I also think it depends on the kid......my dd loves to play soccer she would rather play soccer than do almost anything including bday parties. she is never forced to do anything she chooses what she wants to do....her Best friend is also crazy into soccer and she lives down the block so they are together alot after school they come home to my house usually grab a snack go to soccer then come home and i feed them dinner they do homework then go outside and play or play wii or ride bikes etc.

yes my dd is very busy with soccer but there is always ample time left to do other things

Re: Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

You are not the only one. Each of my boys plays ONE sport, but thats because they asked to play. Its one day a week, so its not intrusive to our time.

Re: Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

My stepson is not a part of anything. He did karate for a year until he quit that. And I heard his Tee-Ball career last one game, in which, it ended with him walking off the field at age 4 to get a hot dog.

unless you count his ability to master video games, he has no interest in anything.

Message edited 5/27/2010 4:23:17 PM.

Re: Am I the only one whose kids don't do anything?

Jade is 11 ,and was involved in band , chorus, and intramurals, but other than school things ,we don't do anything.