Are My Kids NOT Involved in Enough Activites?

I highly recommend gymnastics. It's a great basis for any sport because you learn coordination, balance, strength, and listening skills. I coached gymnastics for 6 years, and now my 7 and 4 year olds are involved. My 7 year old is on the team. She started when she was 3 years old. Gymnastics is something you have to start early in to be any good at it, but there are still benefits to starting later. I think they get over the shyness after going for a few weeks.

Another idea is some sort of music lessons.

Although I do value kids having down time, many kids have too much of it and spend too much time watching TV and playing video games.

I watched a special segment on the TODAY show about how parents today have their kids WAY too busy with activities. Families don't have enough 'together time' because kids are always here and there and everywhere with sports and activities. One or two things is plenty!

My 9 yr old son does karate 2 days a week, wrestling 2 days a week for 3 weeks a year, baseball (changes every year), and cross country (this usually lasts for a few of weeks). He has done scouts, basketball, football, 4H, everything he has been offered he has tried. I think perhaps addressing the reason they don't want to join in activities (being shy) might be the real issue. Sounds like they have plenty of energy for them. To be honest the one thing that I think is paying off the most at this point for us is karate. Around here the classes are small so they get plenty of attention and there is TONS of positive reinforcement. Since we started the karate classes my son isn't quite as shy acting, his grades are improving, he's active, and he's building confidence. If you are looking for a way to pull your daughters out of their shells, I suggest karate. We go to Okinawa School of Karate in Williamsport, In. Hope this helps. Shannon G.
PS. Contrary to some belief, karate is not all about fighting. It is about focus, self control, and physical endurance.

They sound healthy and well-adjusted. You're doing the right thing. Our culture is crazy.

I'm a single mom, so I also make my girls choose one activity at a time. Personally, I think that's plenty. Like your girls, they are very active and social, so I don't worry. I also think many kids are overscheduled, and miss out on just being a kid.

I'd like to share a little different perspective, though, if I may. I wasn't involved in ANY activities as a kid (other than music lessons), and I knew other kids that took dance or gymastics, or played softball from a very young age. So when I got to be older, I shyed-away from those activities because I assumed I wouldn't be as good as everyone else. In hindsight, I wish I would have been encouraged to try different things at a younger age. I think it would have boosted my confidence, and made it easier for me to try new things in junior high and high school. So for that reason, I do encourage my girls to try new things, even if they're a little bit shy about it.

My oldest daughter was VERY nervous about trying softball, but she'll be playing her 3rd season this year, and she absolutely LOVES it. She's no hall of famer, but she's having fun, getting exercise, and building her confidence...and I think that's the whole goal of these activities.

Sorry for the wordy reply. I hope this helps.

I would just make sure they know that they can join activities and give them choices. I would not push them to join more than they want...it wouldn't be any fun for them if you did. All kids are different in their interests. Keep the options open and they will find things they enjoy.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this! I am going to try my best to only allow my kids to be in one activity at a time. Otherwise, the importance of family life gets lost in the hustle and bustle. It sounds like your kids are usually in activities, so just because they're not at the moment, doesn't mean that they won't be from now on. Maybe they're just wanting a break. Your 5 year old is probably just burned out. I had mine in dance class, and she HATED it after about 3 months. I took her out, and about 6 months later she came to me and asked to take gymnastics. So, at the YMCA they offer 6 week sessions, which is PERFECT! That way, she can take it as long as she wants, but can take 6 weeks off whenever she wants too. I love the programs they offer there because they're all like that. There's nothing that you are committed to for the entire year. My five year old is in TBall during the first part of summer that she loves, but once again, it's only for 2 full months, so it's not a huge committment. I think it gets hard when they're doing something every single week, they just get tired of going. So, NO there's nothing wrong with not being in activities!!! There are SO many more things they can fill their time with! I was never in any activities until 4th grade, when they offered cheerleading/basketball at my elem. school. Until then, my parents couldn't afford any classes for us, and we were just fine!!

I only let my daughters be involved in one thing at a time and I usually don't have both daughters doing something at the same time unless it is the same event. I let the girls know what opportunities are coming and ask if they want to be part of it. If it is a major committment and they aren't thrilled, I usually don't sign up because they have gotten tired in the past and wanted to quit, then I end up dragging them there. Find something they are good at and try to steer them that way. We are very active outside and don't spend time in front of the TV. We read alot of books like you do. Try doing things together. Trash pick up days at the park or working on someone's flowers, baking cookies for the firemen etc. Things to serve others. My girls love that! I try to be the best influence in my girls lives. I want to have family dinners and know what kind of ladies I am raising. Hope this helps you.

As long as they are involved in something I would not worry. My son is 9 and he does sports (only 1 at a time) and scouts. That is plenty to keep him involved with school and other kids. Sometimes too much interaction can take away from school work as they get older and also there is so much demand from the sports with games & practices it can take away from sleep and spending time with the family.

I truely believe that the parent knows best. If you are happy with their activities and you also provide opportunities, they are old enough to make their own decisions.

I think family time at home is the most important thing for making children grow up into great people. i definitely think it's fine.

I feel like I have peer pressure with regards to activities. If you're not going somewhere every other day you tend to feel left out! It's good to keep trying new activities, in my opinion, until you find the one that they LOVE. Then they can focus on that one thing and feel less shy, make friends, etc.