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AIBU?

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Original poster

To let DD have 6 after school activities?

39 replies

Carlessly · 17/09/2023 20:43

DD is in Yr 6. She currently does sport A on a Monday (pm) and Thursday (late); music lesson Wednesday after school then sport B Wednesday and Friday.

She wants to go to a third session of A on a Wednesday and then to sport B after (I would have to try to rearrange her music lesson).

Her argument is that several boys in sport B have either swimming or football before or after so it's not too much.

But is it? I'm not sure. But she's desperate to win a medal this season before she shifts age groups. Her coach is happy with her going twice a week as she's "missing" the other session for a sport. [I might have let him believe it's a time clash rather than a mummy thinks two lots of 1.5 hours training is too much for her psb😳]

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 18/09/2023 06:36

My yr6 had a 2.5hr sport session yesterday, rested for a bit in the afternoon, then was out with her friends... and still needed 30 minutes on the trampoline before bed to get rid of excess energy.

I'd be more concerned about the matches clashing, as this will be the thing that has to make her choose eventually.

TeenDivided · 18/09/2023 06:37

How old is your DS, and is he getting appropriate attention? Not just someone at home working, but actually interacting? Teens need people around so they can mentiond problems in passing but also just keeping in touch.

Switcher · 18/09/2023 06:42

Doesn't seem like too much to me. When else will she be able to do it if not now really. If it was my kid I'd give her all the tools to win that medal.

DinnaeFashYersel · 18/09/2023 06:52

My daughter (11) only has one day off a week and on 3 days does 2 different activities.

She is sport mad and loves each and every one.

Better than being at home on the play station.

Lahdedahiam · 18/09/2023 06:57

user1846385927482658 · 17/09/2023 20:44

It seems unnecessary to me and I wouldn't be happy about doing two sports sessions on the same day. Over training is unhealthy.

I've just read another thread where a boy has been on roboblox for 8 hours...

Not been outside his room

Now that's unhealthy.

SummerDayz63 · 18/09/2023 07:02

She’ll be fine from a training perspective, however if she’s not managing her homework etc I’d consider that an issue.

Both my older DC play multiple sports, they’d both play more but it’s getting them there alongside working, running the house (staying sane!)

Glittertwins · 18/09/2023 09:13

Lahdedahiam · 18/09/2023 06:34

If she's enjoying it, encourage it!

This, absolutely!

Helpwithfamily · 18/09/2023 09:40

Also, research shows that the more variety of sports girls take part in, the longer they are likely to stay playing sport. If the times don’t clash (too often) then I would just go for it.

Emanresu9 · 18/09/2023 09:43

Sounds fine if she’s keen. My y6 son does similar and loves it. If she’s exhausted then reconsider.
I love active, healthy, enthusiastic children.

edwinbear · 18/09/2023 09:59

DD, just started Y7, does back to back sports sessions a few times a week. School athletics club for 1.5hrs, followed by club athletics club for 1.5hrs on a Tues, Thurs is 1.5hrs netball followed by club netball for 1.5hrs. Friday she does 2 club athletics session back to back (hurdles followed by throws). She’s absolutely fine.

RuthW · 18/09/2023 10:38

She is not going to be able to carry on with that many in year 7.

arethereanyleftatall · 18/09/2023 10:46

RuthW · 18/09/2023 10:38

She is not going to be able to carry on with that many in year 7.

Of course she is. In fact kids who do a lot of sport, and enjoy it, are MORE focussed. They know they only have an hour to do their homework, so they do it. No procrastination. If a child has all night to do their homework, then first out comes their phone, then all of a sudden it's too late. You see this time and time again,both anecdotally and stats.

BlingLoving · 18/09/2023 10:49

I'm a bit surprised by people who think this is too much. The logistics of it might be too much for you - if you're fetching/carrying or negotiating matches, but that's a separate issue that only you can assess.

DD is only 8 and does dance classes for a total of 3 hours a week, musical theatre for 90 minutes and swimming, as well as music at school. DS is in year 8 and plays football at school and at a club and trains with his basketball club 2 sessions a week. He has football matches weekly and basketball matches fortnightly (at least) as well as some matches at school. And if he doesn't have matches, he goes to the gym on the weekend too. Plus quite an active PE program at his school.

When I was growing up, in another country, after school sport was compulsory, and we did at least 2 training sessions a week, plus matches. As well as PE - multiple times a week. Most of us also walked/cycled to and from school.

Lots of physical activity at this age is a really good thing.

SavBlancTonight · 18/09/2023 10:50

arethereanyleftatall · 18/09/2023 10:46

Of course she is. In fact kids who do a lot of sport, and enjoy it, are MORE focussed. They know they only have an hour to do their homework, so they do it. No procrastination. If a child has all night to do their homework, then first out comes their phone, then all of a sudden it's too late. You see this time and time again,both anecdotally and stats.

Show quote history

yes - we find this with DS. He's far more likely to do his homework when he comes home, has a snack and gets it done before heading off to a club than when it's sort of hanging over him all afternoon/evening on the days he doesn't have something on.

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