Too many?

[minniedot]

My Ds is 8, he goes to cubs, drumming lessons and a drama class once a week, which he enjoys.
He wants to start karate too, but I think he may be overdoing it.

How many activities are too much?

[Sammy3]

It depends on how much he really wants to do it. DS did karate, cubs, football, trombone & swimming lessons when he was 8 & they sometimes conflicted. The trombone lessons were during school time but he practised at home (sometimes ). He almost gave up cubs, but football season ended which freed up some time. The problem was that, when he got to the intermediate belts in karate, his sensei required them to attend twice per week. There were also sometimes additional karate courses (e.g. weapons training) and belt gradings. As kids get older they usually have to choose an activity to drop because they just don't have enough time, which I saw a lot in karate. DS is still managing his busy schedule (minus the football) & moves up to Scouts soon. He swapped to kung fu now & his sifu isn't as demanding about courses, etc. so he only goes once per week. He really enjoys his activities & wants to join a football team next year so I'm sure he'll have to drop something. We'll see.

[lljkk]

I think 4 things/week wouldn't be too much for most 8yo boys, but really depends on the child. My DS can barely manage 1 thing/week!

[mimsum]

it also depends on whether or not it's too much for you

I have 3 dc and I now have a policy that if they pick up anything new they have to drop something else, purely because I can't cope with getting them to and from assorted activities

at 8 ds1 was swimming 3x a week, doing football and gymnastics - he's now doing 5 swimming sessions so has dropped football, but has started cricket, but at least that's only in the summer

it makes is easier if all your dc like doing the same things, but in some ways it's nicer if they do their own thing because then they don't feel they're constantly competing with their siblings

[tori32]

I think lots depends on what time they are and what day. If they are all after school and involve being late to bed then I would say its too much. If some are at weekends then thats fine. IMO too many late nights mean that their concentration at school suffers and in MHO its important that school work doesn't suffer for the sake of extra activities.