How many activities is too many?

[Linguaphile]

Just that really. DDs each play an instrument and play tennis. They also have weekly lessons for music theory (which they dislike but school makes them take it if they want to play instruments) and on weekends they have scouts. They have just asked if they can take on horse riding as well. It all just seems a bit much, and I worry they won’t be able to just be kids and play if they are always going from one lesson to the next...

How, as a parent, do you know when it will all be too much between lessons, practice, competitions, and homework in the evenings?

How old are they?

They are twins, age 7.5.

It really depends on the child - their energy levels, their time management skills, whether they are extroverted or introverted, how much downtime they need, how much sleep they need etc. So many variables!

For me, I think it's about monitoring your child to see whether they are thriving and energised by their activities or whether they seem drained and tired. Plus, of course, what you can afford financially and how much energy you have to facilitate lifts etc.

It doesn't sound like adding horse riding itself will be too much, if by horse riding you mean go to some sessions at local stables and your DC are happy, thrive on activities and you have enough float in your family time budget.

The thing I would be concerned about is if wanting to do horse riding turns into wanting to own their own horses with all the cost and time that involves. A colleague has horses and primary aged children. She is at the stables daily, most weekends, there's competitions and events, and the costs mount up. I would probably describe it as a lifestyle choice rather than a hobby. In those circumstances I'd be very wary of the impact on family life and finances.

I don’t think it sounds too much time wise, but horse riding is notoriously expensive hobby. I would be more concerned about the expense if they really get into it. Ds is 8 in normal circumstances he does: football (2 training 1), swimming lesson and rugby/cricket depending on time of year. Dd is 5 she does swimming lesson, then loads of dance (ballet, tap, modern/jazz, hip hop and acro). They love their activities so I don’t mind, but the cost does add up.