Kids clubs....should I get my 51/2 yr old to do judo even though he doesnt know what it is?

[pepsi]

Ive been listenting to other Mums chat in the playground and its all...."Ive got to rush here and then there and we dont get home until such and such...you know what I mean. We dont do anything at the moment but am wondering if its me being lazy and that ds would like to do an activity but at 51/2 doesnt know whats out there. I saw in the local newspaper a free hour long Kickfit session of martial arts which I thought Id try him on. When I phoned I realised that it might even be suitable for my 31/2 year old dd, which has then got me on to think is it fair to combine exta activities like that, should I give each of them something special. DD would always be with me at any activity so Im thinking she may as well join in but Ive got a niggle in the back of my mind. My ds is not currently sporting and is missing his play at home so Im worried doing something outside the home might not be his idea of fun. Hopefully someone will reply to me that has had similar and has a happy ending story to tell.

you have to work out what is best for your child. At 5 he may think school is enough and jsut want to play the rest of the time. that is fine! some friends kids did dso much so young they burnt out, whereas mine are now starting to ask to do things ( 5 yr old doesn't want to, 7 and 8 yr old do...) kids are onl;y little once. don't rush and don't feel pressurised to do stuff unless you really think he will benefit

Thats where Im not sure....how much do they benefit. Have there been any studies on children who do extra sport and stuff after school and children who dont. Im worried that our weeks will become so scheduled that there is no time for spontinaity. I dont want him left behind but also I dont want to jump on the bandwagon.

ask him and let him try out a session (most places let you do this)

dd (5) does swimming lessons - last term she did ballet as well because she was desperate to do it (I think because her friends were doing it). I didn't think she would like it but because she doesn't make friends that easily and she really wanted to do this, I let her do it for a term. At the end of the term, she told me that even though her friends were going to carry on doing it, she thought ballet was a bit boring and she'd rather stop doing it. So we did.

Children can be remarkably sensible when they want to be. If it seems like he'll enjoy it (when you try it out) let him do it. If not, then don't worry because I'm sure once he gets older, you'll be paying for all sorts!

My ds was 6 in June and we have just started after school activities only because he wanted to. Though saying that I did feel a bit like you last year all the mums picking up the kids and saying oh we are off to swimming etc etc. My ds goes to football on a Mon eve and Anchor boys on a Tues eve. Its been hard fitting in teatime and homework but we are adjusting around a tight schedule and ds is very happy, so I suppose thats whats important! He actually announced the other eve that he might like to join swimming too! Ahhhh

dd1 is nearly 6 and she does swimming and ballet and also wants to do horse riding which I am in 2 minds about. The worst thing about swimming is that it is at 8.30 on a saturday morning and ballet is 5pm on a Friday so she is knackered by saturday poor thing.

meant to say she is a very physically active little girl so I think those classes give her something that school doesnt.

Best thing to do is to phone up and see if they can go along and watch, if they then express an interest in the activity ask about the costs etc and wheigh it up from there. Any good martial arts class will let you go along to watch a couple of times till you make your mind up. They should explain the safety aspect to you and also about fees, licences and correct clothing. Many only charge per lesson but some try to tie you into a monthly or term payment scheme. My advice would be to avoid a club with a monthly or termly payment scheme unless you are one hundred percent certain that they are going to enjoy it.