To wonder why we are making our DC do so many activities?

[Happyyellowcar]

Chatting to some other mums today and a couple of them start listing all the activities their DC (3&5) do: ballet, gymnastics, climbing, swimming, theatre groups, rainbows, after school computer group & tennis were all mentioned in the space of 5 mins chat. I did swimming from the age of 7 and a couple of other activities until I left home. Mostly I came home, played out with friends or watched tv if the weather was bad. Why do some people feel compelled to sign their poor tired DC up to a zillion stretching activities from such a young age these days? Is it competitiveness? Who is benefitting here? AIBU to not want to push my DC onto this particular bandwagon?

[Ragwort]

My DS is never 'tired' after school I wish, he is an only child and enjoys lots of different activities - it gets him out and about, we can afford it, he enjoys it and meets new friends and learns to interact with different adults?
We used to live on a main road with no other children locally so it was difficult to 'play out' independently.

What is wrong with that? He is now a teenager so has given up various after school activities along the way to concentrate on those he really enjoys. I would much rather he was out doing activities rather than wasting time on the Playstation/tv/youtube which seems to take up the rest of his time. .

[Claybury]

If you can get DC's into the habit of clubs when they are young hopefully they will continue at least one hobby as a teen. My DS (10) has tonnes of activities. Older DS now 17 had a few but nothing he was passionate about and one by one he gave everything up in favour of hanging around in the park smoking weed at 14. I have been pleased my youngest is so integrated into his hobbies and clubs and hope this will keep him gainfully occupied into his teens.

I only took up sport when I was 40 and learnt to swim at 43. I'm now a triathlon addict and train daily. I wish I had started younger and I wish my parents had noticed that I am a very disciplined person ( always have been, have grade 8 in the one instrument they let me learn, school suggested I took up a second and my parents said no, no point ).

My parents could have afforded it but it wasn't their thing to drive me anywhere or pay for activities. It was a case of ' you don't want to do Brownies do you ?' Rather than my attitude of 'you will try it and see if you like it'.
They sat down for dinner at 7pm then watched the news. They never would do what we do, the endless driving, supporting and encouraging.
My DS 17 has literally no hobbies but I can hand on heart say I did my best to introduce him to stuff. I feel as a parent that is my job, if possible.

[babybythesea]

Interesting idea that your kids do the same things you were into.
I did music. I learnt 3 instruments, and by the time I left school was in 7 different bands/orchestras/choirs. I tried ballet (lasted about six months) and gym (lasted 2 weeks!). I did not do sport except in PE lessons and even then I spent most of my time devising ways to get out of it.
DD1 is only six so there's time for this to change but so far, she's been doing ballet for 3 years. She asked to do it, I scoffed thinking she didn't know what it was but she was persistent and so I found a class for young children near us. She hasn't looked back. She has added on tap and modern dance and has just passed 2 exams with distinction and merit. She is pestering to do gym.
I had visions of teaching her the piano but no joy so far!

[Ragwort]

I think children gain a lot from commitment to a hobby/club or sport. The understanding that they need to take part every week, listening to instructions etc with adults that are not teachers/parents, not letting team members down by skiving off if they can't be bothered etc. Obviously this is only one small example but a friend has a son who has really 'gone off the rails' as a teenager/young adult and she says that with hindsight she wished she had been stricter about encouraging him to commit to clubs and activities when he was younger rather than constantly giving in when he said he 'was bored' and letting him give up. .

[Laquitar]

Claybury
thats a good point about teenagers and hobbies .

[Starlightbright1]

I was at all musical or sporty.

My DS is not sporty but giving cricket ago because he wants to..Who knows how long he will want to play but it is a life experience. He learns guitar as I have no idea how to then I need to send him for lessons. He tried football and hated it. He loves swimming and is very good.

He biggest passion is beavers and now cubs. I have mentioned the Duke of Edinburgh as I think he will enjoy that although he is too young for now..

I wanted Ballet lessons as a child and didn't get them.

My DS will play out on the cul de sac on his bike or scooter but gets bored if no one else is out