by Tara Shafer posted in Parenting

Can we spend a few minutes considering extracurricular activities and the pitfalls therein" I am incredibly aware of the fortune of my life in that I have wonderful children to whom I can give time.
I remind myself of this as we schlep all over creation finding their passions.
I do not mean to be flip. I do love it. And cultivating interests in children is a very great pleasure that can deliver a lot of joy, friendship, confidence and all the rest.

Still, it is my sincere belief that we are starting our kids too early with too much and not enough perspective on what it all means.
I don?t cast back often about the many mistakes I?ve made as a parent. I?m too busy. Also, I feel as though my many mistakes are rooted in love and are therefore a little more forgivable that they might otherwise be. (At least that is what I tell myself). Here are 5 things to consider when thinking about kids and activities.

Time commitments grow as children grow. Meets, recitals, and tournaments involve a good deal of driving, and often take place over the course of an entire weekend. This can be a lovely experience ? but it isn?t always. Such experiences provide opportunities for close talks and early morning diner stops. The flipside is the growing anxiety that children may experience as they learn to compete. The chances of producing a Katie Ledecky, a Lindsey Vonn, or a Simone Biles are less than miniscule. Of course, we do know this. But it matters ...