After school classes. How many is too many?

[bubble99]

I ask because some of the children at the boys' school seem to be signed up for everything. Football, tennis, chess, 'Mindlab' (a strategy games class,) choir....the list goes on.

Both Mr Bubble and I are fairly musical. Him with the piano and me with the flute (when I have time.) DS1 tried the choir, but didn't like it and plays in the recorder group. He is doing really well with the recorder and visibly enjoys playing in the school assemblies which we've been invited to. He wanted to give up playing this term and I talked him into staying. I felt bad about this at the time and wondered whether I was right to do so.

DS2 has joined the weekly football class, and both of them go to 'Mindlab' once a week.

I don't want to force them to do anything they're not enjoying, but equally, I think that if I don't persuade them, they'll do nothing.

Do you think the children doing lots of after school activities really want to? Or is it pushy mums like me putting pressure on them?

Kids need time to be bored - then have the skills to be able to occupy themselves without parental guideance (imo)

I think that when children are involved in clubs and sports there is less chance of them hanging about in busstops drinking Buckie and getting in trouble, before anyone gets excited I am not saying everychild that doesn't do clubs is going to be a criminal.

There are a lot of young kids in our area that get to just hang about being bored. They are the ones who are vandalising and following the older ones about that drink and cause bother.

My DH was very involved in scouting and as he got older he saw many of his friends getting into trouble, drinking and just hanging about while he was leading cub groups and going on adventure holidays and international camps. Following on from the clubs I went to as a child, I ended up doing lot of voluntary work as a teenager and took the chance to travel and work at a activity centre I had visited with one of the groups I went to. Many of my freinds had never left the town never mind ride horse, canoe or camp under the stars.

mine are still a bit young to comment - but I do feel my mum got it right with me. she has always said that she wanted to give me opportunities to try things, in the hope that something would become really enjoyable. over the years I did Brownies, piano, swimming (though to an extent I think that's different as it's pretty much essential); gymnastics, dance(inc ballet, tap, modern) and riding. when I expressed a desire to give them up she didn't say yes straight away. but if I pestered she would agree. by the time I was 14 they had all gone out of the window, in preference for shopping make-up and boys and whilst part of me does now regret that I take full responsibility for it. my mum did the right thing not to force me.

i forgot, I did tennis, and played in the school hockey and netball teams