Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is this too much ? After school activities..

29 replies

Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 16:30

Dc1 -
Monday - after school club til 4.15.
Cubs til 8.
Tuesday - childcare I'm at work (hone at 6)
Weds - childcare I'm at work (home at 6)
Thurs - after school til 4. Swimming
Friday - sports club 5.45 - 6.30 but often stays after up til 8pm.

Dc2
Monday - beavers til 7.15.
Tues - as above
Weds - as above
Thurs - as above
Fri - as above.

Sports club on Friday is an 8 wk course.

I work 2.5 days, sometimes school hours on the extra 2 days.

It feels a lot but I can't work out what to drop. Feel like swimming is essential. Beavers/cubs good for them. They want and choose to do the after school activities.

Really I need to drop the work 🤣 so we can have easier Tues and weds nights.

OP posts:
OhHeyBabe · 02/06/2023 16:33

How old are they?

Lapland123 · 02/06/2023 16:42

Can you move swimming to weekends to ease up on the busy week?
I agree swimming is more an essential than an optional extra activity. It sure sounds like a hectic week for you all.

Wildflowersinthemeadow · 02/06/2023 16:46

I think it is fine, to be honest. I know there is a lot of criticism on here about not letting children have downtime or a chance to be bored and what have you, but there’s equally a lot of criticism about SAHMs, especially those of school aged children, and as you say, Beavers/Scouts and swimming is great for them, as is sports.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families
Original poster
Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 16:53

I'm.a single parent, they see their dad one weekend day so I try to keep the other day free.

I'm torn, sone children have parent/s who work full time and so are in childcare everyday til 6. My 2 days childcare is family and friend. So there's that.

OP posts:
IsThatReallyNecessary · 02/06/2023 16:54

Are they coping in school? If so, don't see a problem.
DD(11) does 430-6; 530-7; 530-7; 6-730 or 8 each with 30 mins travel time each way plus one 5-6 with 5 mins travel.

zerosugarcola · 02/06/2023 16:55

i dont have children but i envy all mums and dads how you guys do it i do not know you are brave .

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 16:56

Yes, they both do very well at school.

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 02/06/2023 16:56

What do they do at childcare?

A sport, swimming and a youth club sounds pretty average tbh.

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 16:56

To add, that wasnot a criticism of people working full time and using childcare.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 16:58

One day they're with a friend, depends on time of year. Currently they play in the garden.

In winter they did a performing arts club.

The other day they're at hone chilling out.

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 02/06/2023 16:58

It’s fine, personally I would drop Monday and Thursday after school club though, I can’t see the point in that.

KingOfThieves · 02/06/2023 16:59

It honestly sounds fine to me. I imagine childcare is pretty laid back?

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 17:02

@TeaKitten dc1 enjoys the Monday and doesn't want to give it up. The Thursday buys me a bit of extra time between finishing work and collecting them. It's often my only child free time other than the day their dad has them, I use it for housework, had a haircut the other day, etc. They could give it up but don't want to.

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 02/06/2023 17:03

Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 17:02

@TeaKitten dc1 enjoys the Monday and doesn't want to give it up. The Thursday buys me a bit of extra time between finishing work and collecting them. It's often my only child free time other than the day their dad has them, I use it for housework, had a haircut the other day, etc. They could give it up but don't want to.

I’m not criticising… you asked, I said what I’d do but that it sounds fine…

AppleKatie · 02/06/2023 17:30

Looks completely normal to me, if they are happy give yourself a break and stop worrying about this one.

tailinthejam · 02/06/2023 17:48

Too much for who - them or you?

If they are doing well at school, enjoy the activities and aren't over-tired then they are not doing too much. If, on the other hand, you are rushing around like a blue-arsed fly and getting frazzled by it, then perhaps something needs to give.

Fundays12 · 02/06/2023 18:08

I actually think it's a lot if they don't need to be in after school club maybe keep them home those days and let them go out to play with friends.

Here are my kids:

DC1 age 11
Mon -nothing often meets friends at the park
Tues - pre arranged after school activity normally trampolining, cycling etc
Wed - swimming lesson at 7pm
Thurs - meets friends at park
Fri - Football training
Sat or sun - Game of golf with DH

Dc2 age 6
Mon - swimming lesson -30 mins
Tues - free time normally park trip/playdate
Wed - swimming lesson -30 mins
Thurs - after school club
Fri - free time normally homework, play with friends or family film etc

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 18:38

@TeaKitten oh I didn't take it as a criticism, just explaining "what the point" was.

@tailinthejam possibly me 🤣

OP posts:
Foxesandsquirrels · 02/06/2023 18:42

I'm confused, what are you trying to find out? If you're kids are happy and managing what's the issue? This looks fine.

GoldenGorilla · 02/06/2023 18:47

Totally depends on the kids. That would be too much for ours, but if yours are happy and enjoying their activities then stick with it.

SleepingStandingUp · 02/06/2023 18:48

Are the Beaver and Cun having to hang around each others session?

Why are they in after school club on the says you dint work?

Otherwise I think I'd they're happy, sleeping well, keeping u with school work and are exhausted emotional messes by the weekend it's fine.

Original poster
Bemyclementine · 02/06/2023 18:51

@Foxesandsquirrels other peoples opinions.

@SleepingStandingUp there's an overlap but there's a park which they play in while waiting. They'll both be in cubs soon.

The after school stuff is specific activities which they asked to do

OP posts:
Foxesandsquirrels · 02/06/2023 18:55

But opinion on what? If your kids are doing well at school as you say, what does it matter if people think it's too much? My opinion doesn't really matter if this suits you surely? There will be kids doing less and those doing more. Is this a struggle financially and you want to cut down?

feeona123 · 02/06/2023 19:04

Mine do an activity on 4 out of 5 week days. They both have different days off so no rest for me!

Weekends are usually free but my daughter can do optional extra training if it’s on and she wants to.

I work 22.5 hours but split over 4 days so I’m there for pick up each day. I like that they’re busy as their just on the ipads when at home.

PuttingDownRoots · 02/06/2023 19:09

We currently have...

Monday... DD2 Drama (at school)
Tuesday DD2 Cubs
Wednesday DD1 Dance (at school) DD2 Scouts
Thursday DD1 cooking (at school)
Friday DD2 Rugby DD1 Scouts
Saturday DD1 Climbing
Sunday DD2 Rugby.

DD1s climbing is 40 mins drive away DD2s Rugby and Scouts is a 20min drive away (further for away games but thats once or twice a month).