Extracurricular Overload
As NYC families, most of us are intimately familiar with the wealth of opportunity that is available for our children here in the city. By five years old, many children have been exposed to the finest art, music, theater, museums. Even our children's palates have experienced more than many children growing up in other parts of the country - sushi, lox, exotic cuisine from around the world, all are accessible and at least part of our children's vocabulary, if not exactly to their taste. Because we live in a city that truly has the finest of everything, it's sometimes difficult to decide what, as well as how many of the various activities, classes and experiences are appropriate for our children.
Should we enroll our children in music school, art classes, theater programs? Wouldn't karate help them learn self-defense? What about having them audition to be in professional ballet programs or would it be better to give them a more diverse dance background? And don't forget about sports! We've heard that when boys or girls are part of a team, they learn cooperation and team work. Maybe we should also pursue soccer, little league, basketball. Then there's private piano lessons. After all, shouldn't everyone know how to play the piano? Don't forget swimming...every child needs to learn how to swim, if only for safety's sake during summer vacations! The list is endless.
Most parents want the best for their children, and with the best of intentions, many times end up signing their children up for a full load of extracurricular activities. But when does a good thing turn into too much of a good thing? How much is too much for a child of five years, or ten, or fifteen years?
The answer is not an easy one, because every child is different. An extracurricular load which might be just right for one child might be disastrous for another. Your child's age, temperament, interests, and activity level must be considered when choosing appropriate classes or activities. Keep in mind, however, that no matter what your child's age, ANY child can fall victim to extracurricular overload. In your zest to give your children the best of New York, don't fail to recognize the warning signs which may indicate burnout. Catching this early can help prevent it from worsening, and leaving you with an unhappy, stressed, fatigued child whose schoolwork, social life, and home life suffer. To determine if your child has fallen victim to extracurricular overload, ask yourself the following questions:
* Does your child seem fatigued, irritable, or lacking in energy on a particular day of the week?
* Does your child complain about headaches, stomachaches, sore throat or other physical ailments regularly? Is there a pattern to his complaints?
* Does your child cry easily when she's not being actively distracted?
* Is your child unusually aggressive on a particular day of the week?
* Has your child ever mentioned not wanting to be involved in a particular activity for which he's signed up?
If you answered "yes" to any or all
