Are You Overburdening Your Child?

Well, how much is too much for kids when it comes to their doing extra curricular activities? This is one question that time and again comes up whenever I see parents in a quest of making their kids learn too much, too soon

I see so many kids these days who besides going to school have a jam packed schedule wherein they juggle between coaching classes, sports class and some art class too. Eventually they get tired and sleep. I have seen some who have gone quite and are too mature or serious for their age.

We all know that it’s a tough competitive world out there for our kids and learning something extra is never bad.period but should it come at the cost of sacrificing the simple pleasures of childhood and mY time which even a kid deserves. Shouldn’t they also have some time for free play where nothing is planned.

I am not trying to question the intent or wisdom of parents vis a vis their children as they know best about what is good for their kids, but sometimes don’t you think some of us go overboard to an extent where our kids get pressurized!!

When I look back into my childhood days, they still bring a smile on my face. Playing with cousins for hours, eating blackberries together, getting wet in the rain, giggling, even getting bored, planning a party by collecting money are a few memories which I will cherish for a lifetime. It’s not that we never studied or learnt anything extra. Most of us have made good careers and are doing well in life. I have friends who besides studying concentrated on just one hobby like learning classical music or dance for years and today are content in it.

I sometimes look at my daughter who apart from studying, which these days are any which ways tougher than our times, can just dance well and is interested in writing a bit and coloring!! And think maybe I am not doing enough to make her more talented but isn’t talent something which is within a person and can be developed or should we create it somehow?

I really don’t know, as everyone else I also want my child to do well in life. It’s just that I want her to do what really interest’s her. I want her to enjoy her childhood and maybe she is good at one or two things instead of 6 or 7. It should be the best!!

#extracircularactivities #childsdevelopment #busykids