In a few weeks it will be time to start signing children up for after-school activities.  Please moms, give the kids time to be kids. 

Let them do their homework at a reasonable time, not 9 pm.  Give them (and yourself) a chance to have dinner with the family.  Children are usually more willing to talk about their day, the good and the bad, over snacks after school, then hours later.  It's amazing the things I learned from my girls over cookies and milk.

When deciding on which activity to participate in, talk about it with your child.  Don't sign up for "this week's fad."  Figure out what is right for your child.  Is it an activity that he/she will succeed in and will be fun?  Will it be stimulating and help his attention?  Is the coach or teacher good at what their teaching?

When you tell your child to do what Sam, Jake and Sarah are doing, you are encouraging "running with the pack" and "follow the leader."  This may be something that you regret years later when your child tells you these same kids are doing drugs.  Encourage individuality.  Support your child's desires to participate in an activity they like.

I also see too many children switching from one activity to another, learning a little bit of lots of things--completing nothing.  Encourage them to be selective about their choice, focus on learning the activity and seeing it through.  This in itself is an excellent learning skill.

Enjoy the school year with your child.  These years go very quickly.

And just remember as my Mama used to say, "I wish for you everything you wish for yourself."

Buddee

 

By the way, if you have any questions, or have ideas for something you’d like me to write about, email my daughter and she’ll tell me (I’d say to email me, but…well…let’s just say I’d won’t be giving advice on how to use a computer.)

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