When your child is doing too much.......

[Earlybird]

After an action-packed weekend, I have a very ratty child.

It is becoming clear I need to think about 'pacing' dd, and start being selective about what we say 'yes' to. It will inevitably mean missing out enjoyable/interesting opportunities and invitations. A tired child is no fun for anyone.

I think I am coming quite late to this realisation. Just because something 'fits' our schedule, doesn't mean we should do it.

Do you 'build' quiet time into your child's schedule? What is your balance between going out and staying in?

Yes we have quiet Saturday mornings when we do nothing much till lunch. The kids love it and they are usually tired by Saturday as they do swimming and rugby on Friday nights

We try to have quiet Sundays. Lie in, then showers and hairwash. Pancakes for brunch. Play, lounge, read, tv, maybe a walk until roast dinner at 5.00. Family telly (Strictly Come Dancing at the moment) early bed. We find the week gets very stressful if we don;t manage our Sundays.

we have Sundays boxed off as 'chill out day' - we all lead hectic lives and really enjoy just playing in the garden, drawing, making a mess, dressing up (the kids i mean) - whatever. Sometimes we go out to a park or national trust place, but mainly we are at home! Thought I sounded mad to do this until i talked to some friends and it turns out that a lot of us do it, it's called preserving your sanity!!

we lounge in PJs and talk and cuddle and play mornings.

we often go for a swim midday. Then lunch outside and back home to read/listen to music/play in garden/crafts

sunday pm we usually do walks/zoo/beach or anything else simple and outdoorsy then head home for early dinner and movie.

We are not pro active about organising activities. Unless there is an invitation to smthg like a birthday, we just like to chill out and improvise.
DS would stay in his PJs if we let him. I think it's great to respect some sort of sabbath, make ourselves relaxed and available for each other.

I think you're all correct that at least one 'low key' day a week is essential to rest/relax.

DD is at the age where most everything interests her, and she wants to do it all. She's currently pestering to begin music lessons, and her teacher suggested we look into a Saturday morning class for kids who want/need a bit more stimulation outside the classroom. We may do both of those things, but dd is already doing ballet, swimming and a kid's French class. Combine those things with birthday parties (still at the age where the entire class is invited to every party), a few playdates, church, family gatherings, etc - it's just too much.

One last thing - the thing that seems to tip her over the edge is having a late night. I posted initially on Sunday, after we had a very late Saturday night at a village Halloween event. It was great fun, but we paid for it the next day with dd's grumpiness. Some selective schedule 'pruning' is in order, IMO.