Don't worry about being behind! i think the parents that are "ahead", are putting their kids through too much. think back when YOU were a kid... how many activities did YOU have?
I think that that many activities is INSANE, and I do not envy them, but pity them. We spend a LOT of our free time PLAYING TOGETHER, at playgrounds, outside, going to museums, going on hikes, coloring, reading, playing with play-doh, swimming (I teach them, no "classes"). they are PRE-SCHOOLERS for goodness sakes:)
Okay, to answer your question... My four year old (almost five) has pre-school 4 days a week, for 2 1/2 hours each day- for FUN). I'm a stay at home mom... and YET, I STILL wanna spend time with my kids. That's all she does.
My 3 1/2 year old has done -GASP- NOTHING!!! She's interested in ballet. Maybe in a little bit we will get her involved in that.
Umm, I also have a 7 year old girl and an 8 year old girl. They are both gifted and excel in school, they are BIG readers. They are also both in girl scouts. Last year they did ballet... and GASP, that's it. 8 year old loves the guitar, her dad teaches her that at home.
Why in the HECK should we fill their schedules UP?!?!?!
My kids are all smart, so i know VERY WELL what they are capable of. SURE, they are like little sponges at such a young age, they can be taught SO MUCH. But WHY? For the "my kid is better than yours" argument? OR "I'm a better parent than you" argument? That silly, petty, unimportant comparing. THEY AREN'T BETTER, they are RUSHED and BUSIER and spend less time with their parents and have less down time, less play time... YEAH, lets just turn them into OURSELVES- Stressed, rushing, busy and lets just let life be so fast paced for them.
I know a lot of these activities can be fun, but in moderation people, and GEESH- do we need to parent according to how others parent?!?!? UGGH.
Who cares what activities I'm having my kids do? Do what is right for your own child and stop worrying about what other kids are doing.