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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are we over-scheduling our children's lives?

132 replies

thr335teen · 12/05/2025 15:20

My 7 year old Year Two child has quite a packed schedule but nothing compared to some children in his class.

A couple of the boys' weeks look a bit like this:

Monday - Thursday - after school clubs such as computer skills/STEM club/art club etc

Friday - after school cricket, All Stars summer cricket at the local rugby club followed by Under 9's cricket

Saturday - football in the morning, swimming in the afternoon

Sunday - rugby.

I just don't remember our parents being this involved in scheduling our whole lives?

Am I wrong that this is too much? What do your 7 year olds do?

OP posts:
doodahdayy · 12/05/2025 15:41

Most parents have to work full time. So it’s that or after school club. I think the weekend clubs are a bit unnecessary though

thr335teen · 12/05/2025 15:41

IDontDrinkTea · 12/05/2025 15:40

I suspect part of it is to do with the fact that now it’s normal for both parents to work full time. This means that kids have to do something after school until someone is available to collect them

Doesn't explain triple clubs on a Friday night

OP posts:
thr335teen · 12/05/2025 15:41

IDontDrinkTea · 12/05/2025 15:40

I suspect part of it is to do with the fact that now it’s normal for both parents to work full time. This means that kids have to do something after school until someone is available to collect them

Doesn't explain triple clubs on a Friday night

OP posts:
thr335teen · 12/05/2025 15:41

IDontDrinkTea · 12/05/2025 15:40

I suspect part of it is to do with the fact that now it’s normal for both parents to work full time. This means that kids have to do something after school until someone is available to collect them

Doesn't explain triple clubs on a Friday night

OP posts:
Loomy · 12/05/2025 15:40

My kids had something after school every single day and at weekends. They enjoyed it though and it made parenting easier for me.

IDontDrinkTea · 12/05/2025 15:40

I suspect part of it is to do with the fact that now it’s normal for both parents to work full time. This means that kids have to do something after school until someone is available to collect them

telestrations · 12/05/2025 15:39

It seems a lot. Personally I like to keep the weekend clear for family time so I would go down to swimming and one team sport moved to the weekdays if possible, and then filled in with the after-school clubs.

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