Extra-curricular activities?

[HeatherJay]

Do your kids have any? My 3 year old doesn't, of course, but my 5 year old has done several things over the years. Gymnastics, tumbling, etc...but now it's softball. She's 5 and it's so much fun to watch her play. She's so tiny out there on the field...most of the game she's drawing in the dirt, though. She looks SO cute in her cleats and baseball hat! Her Daddy's so proud. I predict he'll be coaching in the next year or two.

What do your kids do to fill up their free time?

Love, Heather

 

[lucypevensie]

That's cute! My kids don't really get into athletics (surprise, surprise, mom and dad are all thumbs when it somes to sports too). Our church has these huge basketball and soccer clubs, but our kids have no interest whatsoever.

I signed up my kids for gymnastics this summer though. My daughter has been asking for that. She also wants to try tap dancing (and swimming, and ballet). We'll just stick with the gymnastics though.

 

[selune]

Don't much care for the organized sports and dance in our area, most require Sunday obligations (games, practices, recitals). Our kids get out and play though, just nothing formal. Pick-up soccer games in the park or skating at the local rink.

 

[tonya]

well..my baby is only 21 months soooo we have not started organized activities..but she loves to be outside and she loves to play ball...so who knows, i may have a ball plaYER ON MY HANDS...SHE IS ALSO A CLIMBER so i may have a gymnast...but whatever she decides we will do it..i am a firm believer in then being involved in things..but too many things is toooooo much. my best friend lets her daughter do something 5 days a week..they are NEVER home..YUCK!! they do cheerleading,softball,piano,gymanstics...and church activities..the poor child is 8 and i think that is too much pick 1-2 things you ate good at and do that...

 

[HeatherJay]

Don't much care for the organized sports and dance in our area, most require Sunday obligations (games, practices, recitals). Our kids get out and play though, just nothing formal. Pick-up soccer games in the park or skating at the local rink.

We're lucky...we live in a small town in which the majority of the city officials and decision makers are church goers. So, any county sponsored activities are held on non-church nights...no Sunday or Wednesday activities...unless it just can't be avoided, like some of the high school sports. I really love that about our town.

 

[Crofter]

My kids go to music club run by the council every saturday morning because I believe music is an important part of who we are. There they learn whatever instruments they like and join whatever group they like depending on our budget each year.

But all their life they can choose one activity... so at the moment both kids attend Scout groups.

As a baby we had a good gymn club for mobile pre school kids of any age which I took my daughter to from six months old until she went to full time nursery and she moved up to older gymn club until the times clashed with music.

All their activiies are for personal development and self satisfaction and old fashioned fun... not to achieve any standard... we are sooooo laid back as a family! lol! and we are very limited in what we can afford. Also I would not run round like a headless chicken taking them places so their activities are limited.

 

[HeatherJay]

I agree with you guys about not over scheduling kids. I was watching Oprah the other day about these poor kids who were pushed by their families to become famous (acting, beauty pageants, sports, etc.). It was so sad, seeing these kids forced to live their parents dream, when all the kids wanted to do was be normal and play and have fun.

And that poor little 4 year old who did beauty pageants all over the state...I would never, and I think any mother who did that should be ashamed. Well, I'm getting off on a rant and I'd better stop in case anyone here is a pageant mom. Anyway, I definitely believe they need time to just play in the sandbox or run around the park and just be kids.

Love, Heather

 

[tonya]

I agree with you guys about not over scheduling kids. I was watching Oprah the other day about these poor kids who were pushed by their families to become famous (acting, beauty pageants, sports, etc.). It was so sad, seeing these kids forced to live their parents dream, when all the kids wanted to do was be normal and play and have fun.

And that poor little 4 year old who did beauty pageants all over the state...I would never, and I think any mother who did that should be ashamed. Well, I'm getting off on a rant and I'd better stop in case anyone here is a pageant mom. Anyway, I definitely believe they need time to just play in the sandbox or run around the park and Hallellujah sister...not to offend pageant moms...that is your business and i do not judge you for that...BUT..i will not put my daughter in one of those..not unless she asks..then i will allow it..to me they are ALL pretty and how do you choose just a few???? what kind of self image does that send to the child??

 

[HeatherJay]

I agree with you guys about not over scheduling kids. I was watching Oprah the other day about these poor kids who were pushed by their families to become famous (acting, beauty pageants, sports, etc.). It was so sad, seeing these kids forced to live their parents dream, when all the kids wanted to do was be normal and play and have fun.

And that poor little 4 year old who did beauty pageants all over the state...I would never, and I think any mother who did that should be ashamed. Well, I'm getting off on a rant and I'd better stop in case anyone here is a pageant mom. Anyway, I definitely believe they need time to just play in the sandbox or run around the park and Hallellujah sister...not to offend pageant moms...that is your business and i do not judge you for that...BUT..i will not put my daughter in one of those..not unless she asks..then i will allow it..to me they are ALL pretty and how do you choose just a few???? what kind of self image does that send to the child??

Exactly. My hubby and I feel the same way about baby/toddler pageants. They're ALL beautiful! And when my girls get older, if they WANT to be in a pageant, I'd let them. But the little ones...I agree that it sends the wrong message...especially when pageants become their whole life. It tells them that outer beauty and what other people think of you is what's important.

I also have a huge problem with lots of makeup and hairspray on a little child. It's ridiculous.

Okay, I'm done now.

Love, Heather

 

[tonya]

I am just glad i am not the only person who feels that way..I come from a very small town and pageants are a BIG deal...if you know what I mean??

 

[HeatherJay]

I am just glad i am not the only person who feels that way..I come from a very small town and pageants are a BIG deal...if you know what I mean??

Me too, girl...we just got done last month with our town's yearly pageants. And I had so many people telling me I should enter the girls. But I don't need a panel of judges to convince me they're beautiful...and they don't need one either. And the LAST thing any child needs is a panel telling them they're not pretty enough!

I tell them every single day how beautiful they are...not only that, but how kind-hearted, how smart, how compassionate, how special, just how all around wonderful they are. And my hope is that when they get old enough to maybe WANT to do a pageant, they'll realize that outward appearence is NOT what makes a person beautiful.

Man, my rants on this just never end, do they?

Love, Heather

 

[tonya]

That's it exactly...girls need to know that they have inner beauty..if you have inner beauty then it radiates to the outside...i have known lots of beautiful gals but the way they acted made them ugly...my grandmother always said always act as pretty as you look...she had lots of wisdom..

 

[GinooKo]

I have signed up my children to different sports but have no interest in any organized sports whatsover. If I let them, they are just as happy staying home and draw till they drop. I know they are both artistic and creative so I signed them up for piano lessons. That was almost 1 1/2 years ago and loving it. There is not a single day I don't hear them play.

 

[Tini]

We discuss with our 5 y.o. son and decide what activity he is going to do. He makes the final choice from afew. But then he must stick to it for a term or a few months. A few have come and gone (e.g. guitar lessons) but now he is getting to do what he likes.

He has done swimming lessons; playball ( ball based multi sport activity); general music in the past

 

[sunshine]

That's it exactly...girls need to know that they have inner beauty..if you have inner beauty then it radiates to the outside...i have known lots of beautiful gals but the way they acted made them ugly...my grandmother always said always act as pretty as you look...she had lots of wisdom..

so true, I agree completely. girls shouldn't have to parade around in fancy dresses to convince judges (and themselves) that they are pretty. it's too bad that more girls don't have loving parents who tell them these things every day.

and Heather, your girls are beautiful!!