On another note.....Emily is just like me....she LOVES school cafeteria food. Ha! She has started eating school breakfast and loves it too. I am the only mother in the world that goes to school and eats the cafeteria food with my child. Most parents bring in fast food. I always like to go when they have burritos.
TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY??????
My girls take dance. Sarah Kate loves it! Emily does great at class but cries almost every week before class saying that she does not like it. I literally have to dress her as she is crying. Once class starts, she seems very happy and is really good at it. I like the dance instructor and the studio. I like taking them. I think it is good for them. BUT, do I continue to make Emily take??????? She seems to have more of a problem transitioning to her outfit than she does with the class itself. Both girls have close friends in their class. This is a BIG plus!
Then......sadness struck me yesterday. The girls say they want to play soccer. A lot of their friends play and Emily's best friend plays. I called yesterday to sign them up and I just could not do it. At least not yet. We would have two games per week and a practice. The girls would be on separate teams so that means SIX soccer engagements per week. It is for 10 weeks in the Fall and 8 in the Spring. What to do, what to do????? I HATE HATE HATE being busy. I don't know why I am that way. I just don't need a lot of activity to be happy. I LOVE to be home and settled in at night. I value eating together as a family. I want my girls to have plenty of sleep and not be on the run ALL THE TIME.
All that to say, I don't want my girls to miss out on something they really love or they are really talented at. I don't think a 4 and a 6 year old should make the decisions about these activities. It is left up to me and I just do not know what to do.
They also tell me all the time that they want to take "nastics." That would be gymnastics. As Emily is crying on the way to dance class she always says," I want to go to nastics class."
I am just writing out my thoughts and feelings. Makes me feel better and more confused too. I need clarity and wisdom.
Comments
there were many practices that he ate a PB&J in the car on the way to practice....but it was only for 8 weeks and well worth it. the first few games he would say he didnt want to play, but then he got comfortable with everyone and by the end of season, was running out the field without a second glance.
i would tell them they each get to pick one and as long as they dont coincide, you just grin and bear it :)
I have an 8-year old who takes karate and he was the same way as Emily is with dance, for months. Every time it was time to put his karate clothes on he would cry and pitch a fit and say he didn't want to go. Then, we would get there and he would have a great time, and do a great job. Then one day recently, it all kind of clicked for him. He even earned his yellow belt the other day.
Also, I agree with the others who have said, let them choose one activity per season. We do this in our home, too. I don't like tons of activity either, especially when it cuts into family dinner. Soccer where we live is only 5 weeks long, so during that time I just grin and bear it because I know it will be over soon!
Loved the sock hop pictures!
Amy
She and her husband decided their children would rotate, and only one would be involved in an activity per season. Only one child at a time in one activity. That way the whole rest of the family, including all the 'benched' siblings, could be present at everything to support the one.
I'm not sure I'd choose that for our family, but I just found it a great concept to consider. Especially when kiddos are young. I know it might not be possible as children progress through grade school years.
You're in a good spot having girls. I have two girls and one boy, so there's no chance their activities will overlap. Haha!
We've been lucky so far that most of the girls' dance, cheer, tumble & swim classes have overlapped because they're close in age. But that all changed this year when my oldest began K and got bumped up a level in everything. Now we're looking at two different classes for them both. So I'm beginning to really evaluate things, too.
So many parents don't realize that a slow childhood is okay. Really..that's how WE were all raised.
I lift up a prayer for guidance for you and peace about the decisions you make.
blessings girl.
I think it's just our society that makes me feel that way. And if it makes you feel any better, the best memories I have of my childhood are the ones where we were all cozy at home. :-) Try not to stress. Easier said than done!
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't feel like one or even two activities a week is too much for a family - especially in a family with a SAHM. Busier nights mean leftovers, crockpot meals or sandwiches. No big deal. In a few years they wont remember what they ate for dinner, but they will remember the fun they had at soccer practice.
Honestly, if my kids weren't in activities, I think we would all get a little stir crazy. You know your girls though, and this is about your girls. Sign up for the fall first. There is no commitment to do both. Lastly, you may luck out and they won't even like soccer:)
My two year is just in swimming but he wants to play soccer in the fall too.
I'm the same about nights. That's our family time. I even had to say no to VBS this year - the one we go to has always been during the day but they changed it this year to the evening (5-8:30 I think). I hated to say no but I did. She still goes to bed fairly early and being out that late is never a good thing.
I also love staying home too. We have so much to do here I just don't feel the need to leave! :)
Good luck. I am sure you will end up doing what works best for your family.
Good luck in making your decision! :)
before I had children I heard Dr. Phil (I know, right) say that kids should only do one sport/activity at a time.
I told my daughter she could pick one- dance, soccer or whatever, but she cannot quit mid-year. She MUST finish the activity.
She started crying on the way to class about mid-year. I took her to the class, dropped her off crying & kept going. I didn't stand there & reason with her. She was fine when I picked her up.
I also took her to see the Rockettes. If she played soccer I would take her a professional soccer match. My parents never showed me what any of my sports might allow me to do if I kept at them.
She continues to love dance and I hope my experience helps you in some way:) I liked reading all these comments. Multiple opinions are good!
My oldest 2 are 14 and 12... both active in swimming lessons & aquatics. This summer, my 5 year old starts swimming lessons too. Next summer, I'll have another one in them, and the summer after yet another one. My stomach already hurts just thinking about the chaos I know will be coming.
Best of luck to picking what to do and what to NOT do!!
You're a good momma! I'm sure you'll make the right decision for the girls!