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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

No clubs/classes at 5

59 replies

Searchingforaname · 03/11/2023 21:09

What age did your dc start extra clubs (if they did/do?) My Dd used to do gymnastics when little, which was fun, but now she’s at school, we come home, decompress, take the dog in the forest and she plays etc. Her neighbour pal who is one year older has clubs almost every night-swimming, running etc etc. He gets home after, has dinner, then bed.
Should I be actively putting Dd in more clubs at this age?

OP posts:
TheMagicDeckchair · 04/11/2023 11:12

My almost 6 yr old started swimming lessons in reception as soon as she turned 5 (minimum age for stage 1 at our leisure centre). She also has a half hour dance lesson on Weds teatime. Learning to swim is a non-negotiable for safety reasons, the dancing is for fun.

DH put her name down for beavers so she’ll be starting that at 6. I wouldn’t want to do any more at this stage as it leaves no time for play dates or down time. Also we both work and have younger twin siblings so that limits what we can do around the little ones.

NotSorry · 04/11/2023 11:15

Searchingforaname · 03/11/2023 21:24

We can afford them, I just wasn’t sure if it was necessary/overloaded them at this age? Shouldn’t they relax a bit after school, she plays with neighbour friends, goes on her bike, in the woods, in the garden etc

At that age my eldest just did swimming lessons - I was chatting to a mum in the playground thinking I was doing him a disservice as the all the other kids were jam-packed with activities after school and she said to me "at this age it's enough that they go to school"

When he was about 8 he started cubs and karate and that was it - more than enough!

Garlicnaan · 04/11/2023 11:18

Mine don't do any clubs at the moment but is learning an instrument. Much older than 5. In after school club 2-3 times per week, do sports clubs occasionally, we'd never see them if they did much more. Each to their own I say, don't compare. . If anything children are typically overscheduled these days.

Tiddlywinkly · 04/11/2023 11:26

My primary school age kids have always either gone to after school club or taken part in some clubs that the school runs after school because I work full time. They've done stuff over the years like Lego Club, Poetry, Football, Philosophy (?!) etc. Anything that takes their fancy. Does your school offer that?

They do swimming lessons at the weekend (a non-negotiable life skill in my view) and Brownies/Beavers during the week.

At 5, start small. Maybe just swimming one night?

BendingSpoons · 04/11/2023 11:32

We have just scaled right back on the clubs so my 4yo won't do anything and my 7yo will do 1 after school and 1 on a Saturday. This includes pausing swimming for both of them, although my 4yo will need to return at some point as he can't swim yet.

They are both repeatedly telling my they don't want to go to school because they don't get enough time to play at home. I think that unstructured free play is really good for them (and can't stop school!) so this is what we have decided.

IhearyouClemFandango · 04/11/2023 11:32

Neither are wrong as all kids are different.

My just turned 6 year old has done gym for a year and has just started Beavers. He also wants to do football on a Saturday, and maybe rugby on a Sunday.

He's a very physical child though, my middle child is less so and he only does Scouts and badminton after school. He's very fit etc but not that interested. Cricket in the summer.

Older child would be rowing every day if she could, and swimming or skateboarding as well as Scouts/Explorers.

In warmer months we tend to swim every day either at the beach or a private pool, which keeps us busy.

BecauseTheWorld · 04/11/2023 11:34

Swimming lessons and Pony Club. We tried extra clubs but she’s just too tired after school.

stargirl1701 · 04/11/2023 11:38

We did swimming and Rainbows at that age. Library visits, Sunday School and play dates too.

Wolvesart · 04/11/2023 11:40

I would wait until Spring and the return of lighter evenings then maybe try swimming and one other more fun activity.

I’m a bit lols at some commenters earlier in the thread describing 3 year olds doing extracurricular activities. They can’t be extracurricular until they start doing a curriculum 😄

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