Extra Curriculars for little kids

[VeryBlackCherry]

I would post on IABU, but looking at similar threads it seems I am unreasonable.
Does anyone else think that putting a 6 year old child through 5 extra curricular activities a week sounds like a LOT?
I am talking about structured activities such as violin, chess club, karate etc.
My own DC does 2 activities a week and I let them get a bit bored. And yes, we do watch some cartoons too. They mostly end up playing with blocks / in the garden or drawing.
One of DC's friends does lots of activities (of course they are the best at every single one!) and I wonder whether I am making a mistake by having such a relaxed attitude. We could easily afford to pay for more activities, it just feels very stressful and too much at this age? I don't want to force my child to do lots of classes just because their friend does, it feels a bit like 'keeping up with the Joneses'.
The child in question has become incredibly competitive. The mum slipped and said they complain about the required daily music practice too. It's something I'd expect more are secondary school age! Or am I delusional and it's the norm now?

I am not sure if it works for her child- I am just getting an impression her child is being heavily pushed into this, but it's none of my business I suppose.

One of my dc does football x2, kickboxing x2, drum lesson, running club and rugby. She thrives on it.

Another just has a piano lesson, and has no desire to do any other clubs.

Just follow your kids lead. Don't worry about what anyone else is up to.

At 5, mine did weekly swimming lessons.

They've increased activities as they've got older.

Chess club for a 5 year old is bonkers.

@FatmanandKnobbin that does sound like a lot- are they also just 6 years old?? Maybe I have old fashioned views. I was thinking up to 3 activities would be the norm.
It's probably not helped by the competitiveness of my DC's friend!

They are 6-7, not 5, not far off though. I am also lazy, thinking about all the time spend on extra driving 😅

Among our friends the norm seems to be between 3-5 activities. I think it really depends on the child. DS who's nearly 6 does swimming, music and cricket at the moment and he's about to start rugby.

Each to their own. My different dcs did different amounts of extracurricular. There’ll be a right answer for you and one for them.

Sorry I misread 5 as the age 😅

It's still a lot for a 6/7 yo.

But I suppose it depends on the child. Do they have their whole weekend clear?

But you sound as if you’re the one being anxious and competitive, and wondering whether your child should be doing more? Let her parent her own child. You parent yours and allow activities as you see fit.

@RareCheese I don't think I am being competitive at all. I believe in my child being able to find their own amusement. Then their friend comes over boasting about their newest badge/level and how amazing they are? I do think it is young to do so much, yes. I didn't say anywhere I will be matching my child's activities. I just wondered whether I am in minority, which it seems I am!

😂 This is hilarious. There is nothing stopping me from sending my child to do those activities, other than me thinking it's unnecessary at this age.

She started at 6, shes now 8, it's all been led by her, I could be doing without standing watching football and kickboxing etc for hours every week tbh, but it's just what she enjoys.

Is that you? Haha. If you have nothing else to say, you can move onto another thread. Thank you for sharing your opinion...?

I'm with you but I've outwardly taught myself to be more @BeKeenDuck

Had a friend who had their kid signed up to maths and reading clubs when they were 3. All I can say is it's not for me!! But a part of me wonders if I'm doing the smalls a disservice by not being that mum. Hard to know what's best for them, lots of free time and space to be bored/creative or structured activities so they discover new skills and strengths in themselves. Guess the right answer is a middle ground.

We've opted to introduce one activity per academic year until they're doing 3 things a week at which point they need to choose between things. So last year was swimming, this year it's swimming and martial arts.

I think it's fine if it's entirely child led, even if it sounds like a lot to me. It might be because my child is not very sporty. I am ok with them trying out some activities that are provided at school, so they can try different things. I will rather do it a bit slower, to match their pace!

My daughter is 4 ans she will do 3 activities this year, swimming,dance and maths class. If I had money and she would be keen to do more why not? When I was young I always did sports and languages after school but my parents allowed me to stop going if I did not enjoy it.