9-Year-Old Girl Takes On McDonald's CEO
Denise Albert: Mamarazzi
Is your pre-schooler over scheduled?
I first started to feel the "enrichment" pressure when my first child was three years old. As a new mom, I felt like a foreigner as I listened in on the new and strange conversations of the "experienced moms" as I waited for the end of my daughter's dance classes. That's when I realized just how many enrichment and extra-curricular activities in which other children were enrolled: tap dancing, gymnastics, community theater, kindermusic – the list was endless. My own parents couldn't afford to enroll me in ballet class and so I thought I was Mother of the Year for enrolling my daughter in ballet - -little did I know that many kids were enrolled in multiple classes.
But how, I wondered, did these mothers manage to juggle it all? How did they make dinner or help their other kids with homework and get everyone off to bed at a decent hour? It was a mystery to me.
On the one hand, I knew I didn't want spend my days harried, shuttling kids from one activity to another, or resorting to fast-food dinners because there was no time at the end of the evening. But with all the mommy chatter about the benefits of so much extra-curricular activity, I couldn't help wondering if I was short-changing my darling daughter in the process.
Luckily, my second child soon became a certifiable playmate to our first and I quickly decided that their playtime and bonding was far more valuable than any pre-school enrichment program. To this day, I reserve extra-curricular activities for my school age children (age 6 and 8). My son is in hockey, my daughter is in gymnastics, and they both take an art class together twice a month. That's plenty running around in my book!
I have successfully resisted signing up our 3 year old daughter, Lucia, for any activities, in spite of the adorable names they give these classes – "wiggles and giggles" was particularly tempting. Instead, she spends her days playing with her little brother, changing into more outfits than Bette Midler in a Vegas show, and putting on endless performances for her favorite audience – me and her baby brother, John-Paul.Now that I am that "experienced" mom, nothing gives me more pleasure than letting new moms know that they don't have to feel guilty for not going down the pre-school enrichment road. There will be plenty of time for "enrichment", but so precious few for kitchen dance shows as her baby brother looks on with glee from his high chair and her mommy applauds her every leap and twirl.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- (department of defense)? hey can you build me a super duper all protector? yea what you want on it $$$$$
- If i own all or most of the property in dc think the mayor already knows. president and others including Embassies. on my property for 20 +years
- How many hickman towns,schools,and counties are in the united states
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Fun Activities That Get Kids Exercising
Fitness expert John Basedow shares his favorite fun exercise activities that will help kids get in shape.
-
Heidi Klum Learns How to Keep Kids Busy During Thanksgiving Dinner
Part of the success of a party is not having the adults running after their kids the whole time, says event planning expert Mindy Weiss. Her solution? Keep the kids busy with plenty of activities at the dinner table. From having children create their own place mats to cutting out fun animal shapes, Mindy shares her ideas with Heidi Klum for keeping the kids occupied during holiday dinners.
-
Childhood Obesity
In this episode of The Lab, DadLabs looks at one of the most important health issues affecting kids, childhood obesity. We talk with an expert who tells us statistics about how many children are obese and how diseases not normally seen until adulthood are not seen in childhood. What can parents do to make their kids more healthy? Learn about BMI, what non healthy foods shouldn't be in the house, and how to encourage physical activity such as sports.
-
How to Make Handmade Easter Cards
This year, send your family and friends beautiful handmade Easter Cards. Celebrations.com's Lifestyle Party Expert Jeanne Benedict of www.jeannebenedict.com demonstrates how to make these fun and easy cards at home. This is a perfect activity to include the kids in too.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-06-2008 @ 8:35AM
kim walsh said...I often feel the same way you do. I don't have my 4 year old in any activity. I do not want to fight traffic sit and wait with my other two kids while I can be at home making dinner. My oldest child 6 started Dasiy's. What activity do you know of where you put $20 dollars in a coffee tin for the year. Most of the activites are a fortune and I would rather save it for college.
Reply
3-06-2008 @ 2:14PM
KimberlyW said...Beautifully-put, Rachel! The foundation your little ones are receiving at home is so important, and something only you can give them!
Reply
3-06-2008 @ 11:20PM
Dena said...Our family rule is one activity at a time.
We feel it is a positive thing for our children to be engaged in an activity outside of the home, they seem to enjoy music, swimming, soccer, karate, etc... It gives them a chance to experience new things and new people; however they are only allowed to participate in one activity. We do not wish to see "burned out" 7 and 10 year olds in our home. Children should be allowed to enjoy unscheduled, lazy days!
Reply
3-07-2008 @ 3:28AM
hope said...I like the idea of "one activity at a time" for school-age children. But right now, my newly-3-year-old is enrolled in a weekly dance class, a 30-minute art class, and we make sure to attend storytime every week. Still, that's only 2 hours of structured activities each week. Personally, I think she's bored and I would have liked to start her in preschool (I know she wants to) but it was just too late in the school year by the time she was potty trained. She'll still have two years of preschool; in our state you have to be 5 by Aug. 1 and her bday is in Jan. So when we start next fall she'll attend the academic preschool at her dance studio, where she'll have a more creative learning environment, music and dance. I was concerned about her not attending preschool this year, but honestly...she's my only baby, and I love spending the bonding time with her. We do preschool lessons at home and she's so bright, I would almost hate to miss out on being part of this learning process :)
Reply
3-10-2008 @ 8:44PM
michele said...Amen! With everything going on with my 3 kiddos each one doesn't need more than one extra-curricular activity a week. They have each other to play with and that is wonderful in itself!
Reply