After school activities

[Christmasda]

What is the obsession with having kids attending activities 5 days a week? Do they really benefit from all the activities? We have a four year old and family are shocked that he is not attending any.

Mine don't him to any 😓 I have three under 6 and can't find much available nearby where I can accomdate all three without some getting grumpy with tiredness, boredom, etc. I feel.bad but am going to wait until his nect school, where they offer loads of after school.clubs, and hope I can get him in some.

Urgh, sounds awful. Why do people do this to their kids? My 6yo does piano one night after school and does extra ballet classes within school hours. Apart from that she has regular play dates during the week and time just to chill out, read, draw, play, whatever. There's plenty of time for all that.

but I just can't seem to tire my ds out out! He's been to after school dodgeball and then beavers tonight and he's still running around now

My DD is the same. She does sport after school 3 times a week, 1 evening dance, rainbows and then often pesters me to take her to weekend activities but yet still bounces around at home. She often wakes early to read or write

Absolutely isn't me pushing, my DD just has a silly amount of energy. I'd much rather have most evenings and weekends at home.

There's 5-6 hours between end of school and bedtime (or more hours before school), an hours activity doesn't mean there's not a few hours of unstructured time.

There isn't 5 hours though. Lots of people pick their kid up at 3:30 then ferry them to an activity 4-5. Get home at 5:30, get them washed up for dinner. That's done about 6:30, they need to do their school reading book. Then it's 7 and it's pretty much time to get in the bath when you're talking about a 4 year old. An older kid will go to bed later and be less tired anyway.

I don't think anyone is saying that 1-2 activities for a four year old is terrible (although some kids are too tired after school and shouldn't do any).

How do you all get your kids to this these things? I must be being really thick because I can’t figure out to achieve this, when the clubs all seem to be 4-5 but I don’t finish work til 5!

Does your child’s school not have any activities? DD’s school have various after school activities including: gymnastics, karate, yoga, swimming, drama, singing, judo, computing, dance, French, German, football, music, Lego, science, art, debating, sewing, cycling, running, roller skating/hockey, sport etc. It obviously works really well for parents who work.

@OnlineShopping

Yes they have some, but each child can only do one per week, 3-4pm, and it changes each term, so can’t be relied upon. Some terms there is nothing suitable for one or the other of my children, or both.

@Rinoachicken that’s a shame. Whilst we really liked all aspects of DD’s school, the before/after school clubs were a huge pro when it came to choosing it.

dd did swimming in reception and now in y1 doing that and a dance club. that's enough for her.