Modern childhood

[ineedtoknow123]

Do you agree or disagree that modern childhood has too much competition and too much testing and comparison? I dont put my kids into competitive hobbies because it seems to take up alot of ppls weekends and seems intense. There also seems to be alot of emphasis on being high achieving. I dont think this is great for the mental health of children. I dont do it and i really notice that i do things differently.

I dont put my kids into competitive hobbies because it seems to take up alot of ppls weekends and seems intense

It varies. DD took part in a competitive team sport from the age of 7 to 18. It made her very fit, gave her focus, self discipline, great friendships and lots of fun. She learned to manage nerves and accept disappointment at times.

What do your kids do instead?

Both of mine did loads of competitive sport right through their childhoods. One still does sport three times a week. She’s 19.

Neither of my now adult dc have ever had any issues with their mental health.

Being involved in competitive sport has given them opportunities to make friends who aren’t at school, be involved with adults who volunteer and have a stable influence on them, learn that if they work hard they can improve at something. They have learnt to win and to lose.

I think having a hobby that is theirs and not anything to do with school or home has been really good for them. As is the knowledge that they are good at something. I think if you aren’t very successful at something then having something elsewhere that you are good at must be good for your mental health.