I've over committed myself / children....

[SavemefromPFBitis]

.... Ok, I admit it, I was suffering from complete PFB and hadn't realised how tough school was going to be for my DTs.

They are 4. I have enrolled them in:
Monday Spanish
Tuesday ballet
Weds gym class
Thurs horse riding
Friday swimming

First day of term was yesterday and it is as obvious as can be they can't do all of this. Will classes refund money or do I just need to lie to the loss of it and learn my lesson.

I feel really stupid . The only things the kids want to do are horse riding (one twin) and swimming (the other twin).

What an idiot I am

my dd1 wasn't capable of doing after school things until year two, but my dd2 did two things after school halfway through reception. Different children can manage different things. Don't beat yourself up about it, it's not that bad.

I would approach each organisation and see if you can do any of them at the weekend and if nor 'defer' for a term.

Why couldn't I have just taken the approach that school is quite enough for now??!? Honestly, the two of them were ready for bed at 6pm last night, and in bed by 6.30. They were totally shattered.

I have to get out of most of these commitments, or it will really spoil their first term at school (partly because they will be knackered and partly because they will have no free time to actually PLAY with new friends)

Honestly, and I like to think of myself as intelligent

ask the organisations that you want to quit whether they will refund, maybe not but worth a try

two after school activities per week is more than enough for reception, partic this tough first term to Christmas (I would argue that none is perfectly reasonable too)

Don't stress .... It is an easy thing to do.

My advice would be to speak to the teachers/coaches and perhaps the lessons can be delayed or refunded.

I haven't even thought about after school activities for ds. He started yesterday! Maybe next year

I would just phone them and ask if you can have a refund or a delay on starting.

Some places may offer a partial refund to cover the first weeks or so until they can fill the class.

Do you know anyone who's dcs would want a place?

My DD did ballet last yr, from turning 3 but she was at preschool for only 4 half days a week. She starts school on Thurs and I'm going to cancel it as I just know she'll be absolutely shattered and will get nothing out of it. The school has 'advised' to try and not enrol them in any after school activities in reception yr.

I'm not sure if you'll get anything refunded, maybe they'll offer a partial refund?

As with anything in life... "More isn't always better"! Stick to one activity they really relish, as you've already said, one with horseriding, the other in swimming. Also, is there any weekend slots you could switch to? I know in our area, there's lots of early morning swimming lessons at the wknd.

Oh, I thought you'd over committed yourself with the amount of DC you have (which can easily be done with twins).

Only me who now thinks three DC is probably two too many, then?

Seriously, though, OP, I would ask if you could defer, if not,you will just have to mourn the loss of the fees....I think you should just go with the swimming, and maybe riding, for this term.

DS1 did no after school activities in reception, and swimming on Saturdays...he even fell asleep in the car on the way to that.

Have made progress today:

Spanish: Cancelled (No charge! can rebook next term / when I want)
Ballet: Cancelled (No charge! can rebook as and when!)
Gym: Cancelled (Have lost deposit, but was minimal. No need to pay remainder)
Horseriding: Is actually week to week, so we will leave in place, but cancel if it's not working out.
Swimming: Moved to Sunday.

Both DTs will do horseriding and swimming, but I think that's a reasonable result.

MN... You have saved me. I can now namechangeback without all of you knowing what worrying PFB tendancies I'm channelling!!

We had no activities, one play with friends a week and horseriding at the weekend once a fortnight. DD1 is a very tired child though as she runs round doing everything and talking at 100mph
She managed one afterschool club by the summer term.

Well done on managing to cancel (and realising v early on that it was a very extreme schedule!)

Hurrah !

Well done!