The school year is just started, and already some parents and their children are wondering if the kids might have a few too many scheduled activities. Structure and stability are good things for children to experience in their formative years. But too many activities can bring on burnout and a lackluster experience for the children involved.
Read on to learn more about the overscheduling of children’s activities.
Lack of unstructured time a problem
Once upon a time, about a generation or so ago, kids relied on other kids to provide them with entertainment and fun. Think forts in the woods and kickball in the streets.
But online activities and the comfort of air conditioning have lured children from the yards and street corners to cool bedrooms and online friends. It’s no wonder that parents seek plenty of organized activities to occupy their young minds.
How to spot an overscheduled kid
Parents who try to keep their children occupied with activities every day run the risk of their kids burning out completely.
Below are some worrisome signs to watch for:
- Depression
- Headaches
- Avoidance of friends or family
- Loss of appetite
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Nervousness
- Stomachache
It’s important to note that whether the symptoms are physical or psychosomatic, the child is still in distress regardless of cause.
Reeling in the schedule
In the case where kids are overscheduled, it’s important for the co-parents to put aside their personal feelings and work together for the children’s best interests. That may mean canceling some previously made commitments.
When co-parents aren’t on the same page
Here is where the trouble can begin to brew. If you can’t reach an accord with your co-parent about the situation of overscheduling the kids, it may be necessary to file a modified custody agreement that addresses your concerns.