To not go to any clubs

[thatsnotmynamebruh]

Dd is 6,5 and not at any clubs. She went to a toddler gymnastics, tried ballet and didn’t like it and can already swim well.
At weekends and after school she plays and sees friends, goes to the playgrounds and dog walks etc.

Do your similar age kids go to clubs?

Am I holding her back? I see some that have most nights after school booked up and just think it seems a bit much, I feel a bit sorry for the kids that they can’t just relax and play after school

When DS was her age he was doing Beavers, kickboxing and swimming lessons. I feel it’s good to expose children to various activities if you can afford to/have the time, but 1-2 things at age 6 is enough because as you say too much scheduling and little down time isn’t good either.

There are so many things you could look at - Brownies or Beavers, various sports, other types of dance like Street Dance, musical theatre, martial arts, etc.

We have them every day, mainly for childcare (as DS doesn't love the after school club). That being said, DS adores literally any activity and will ask to attend any class his friends go to! I think I'd probably encourage him to do 1 or 2 if he wasn't keen - mainly to broaden his experience outside the school friendship circles.

Mine only do two clubs - swimming as they aren’t competent yet, and Rainbows. They only do rainbows (in the nearest large town) as they go to a tiny primary school and I want them to mix with other kids. I find it hard doing these two things every week… the kids get tired too, and they have homework and play dates etc! I wouldn’t do clubs for the sake of
it… ideally I think they need decompression and unstructured time. But we will
maintain the two clubs for a few more years as I deem them necessary.

Lol I thought you didn't want to go clubbing.

It depends on the child and their personality I think - I have one child that did nothing after school despite being offered all sorts of things (introvert and much preferred informal playdates and just making their own entertainment) and one that from about five has done a different activity every weeknight plus Sunday mornings and still keeps asking to do more. Relaxing after school is very much not their thing and no one needs to feel sorry for them!

So long as the child is happy, has lots of opportunities for socialising and they’re doing ok at school then it’s all fine as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think not doing activities at six is holding them back, they still have time to take loads of things up later if they want to - though be aware for things like football it is harder to start older.

DD yr6 pre covid (age 5/6) only did swimming (necessity) and Rainbows. Covid then unfortunately stopped everything. It took a few years to get back into the swing but now does Netball x 2, swims (lifeguard) x2, Guides, Am dram and then there is the odd afterschool club too (generally sports related. She absolutely loves them all, I find it too much she doesn't, I do wish she wanted to stop some of them. However, she will be off to secondary soon and will likely drop both swimming and 1 of the netballs as there will be homework to factor in.

My point is 4 years ago we did nothing and now we do loads, DD doesn't have many playdates though as her friends are equally as busy. If she didn't do clubs she would just be sat round at home and so that suits us and gives us some structure to the week. Cost is a big factor and we do have to make sacrifices but we are fortunate to be able to do that. Everyone is different just do what suits you best.