just calm down

I agree with you, I think we shouldn't make our children overscheduled. It's good for them to have some lessons outside school, like foreign language course, piano lessons or anything else, but don't make them do the courses for too much. They need some times to relax and have fun too, right?

it is important to occupy child mind as much possible as u can but proper segmentation between kids daily routine & new recreation activities.so plz keep proper track over certain small but invaluable things that make huge difference in yr kids life............

I think many people do overschedule their kids. My brother and sister are prime examples. They have their kids in an activity pretty much everyday of the week. On the weekends, my nephew has to be at the pool 6 AM on a Saturday, now he likes swimming but common. I think it gets to be too much. I do have my kids in one activity, and then I try and schedule time for fun outing, like visiting friends so they can PLAY... I actually wrote and article on it not long ago this is the link: http://homewithheather.com/kids/grow3.html

At some points, I think we are pushing our kids too hard. Believe me, I think education is of very high importance and physical activity is also important to keep them healthy....but when school sports push kids to over work every day, do homework after all day school and a 2 and a half hour practice, spend two more hours AFTER dinner doing homework and studying...I think that is a bit in over scheduling. Or how about a 1st grader that has just spent all day at school, now has to come home to read two more books and study for spelling. I understand that good study habits need to be formed early. But they have been at school all day! they need time to let off steam too! Or these writing assignments my son breaks home! He has school all day and comes home and has to two a 2 page creative writing thing that is due the next day. AND it HAS to be typed!!! I even typed it for him once because it was last when he got done writing it and he needed sleep! So, I think we could be making the ADHD or ADD by exhausting them that they can not pay attention. And when the school gives out candy as rewards...I don't see how that helps!

I do think it is possible to overstimulate your kids,and that it can have one of several effects on them. Yes, it can make them hyper, and "ON" all of the time. It also can cause them so much anxiety that they are tearful, for no reason, and develop nervous habits. I have also seen it just cause them to zone out, not even be able to function to the level of knowing what supplies you need and where to get them.(Like, I do not have a pencil, I need to write an assignment, I should go get one from my desk.) Kids need some simple play time, and some home responsibilities.

I tend to go with what my kids want, but ALWAYS with the question, "do you have time for it?" I'd also gauge their schedule to see if they can fit anymore things in it! My 3 kids who are in school all have swimming afterwards four times a week. They used to be able to do ballet, art, and even taekwondo (!), as well as voice lessons over the weekend. When their swimming schedule was upped by one more day, from 3 days a week to 4, event the kids realized that it was a bit too much for them and told us so. I was relieved of course, since i was about to tell them that we should drop someting! I think it's also a good thing for the children to realize what their time constraints can hold. Makes them feel responsible in making that decision for themselves :)

My girls are usually involved in a few things. They do not do more than 1 after school activity a day. That activity is never more than 1 1/2 hours. They seem to do fine it. I let them pick what they do & they actually ask to do stuff.

Children have ADHD before they even get to the age where most parents would be tempted to overschedule them. I know this because my son has ADHD. That is why; when he got to school age and was getting interested in extracurricular activities; we limited him to just one at a time. One activity per school year and we made him stick it out. We told him if he decided he didn't like it; he could switch with the next school year. Otherwise, with his flighty attention span, we would have been "overscheduled" with all of the things he was interested in.

I agree 100% here. I know several people who think their kids have to be in every sport, every extracurriclar activity. They have their kids running all the time- The parents are constantly running. I think they fear that they don't want their child left out of something. I say let kids be kids! Whatever happened to playing with the neighbor kids? Hanging out with your family? Lazy days? My daughter is only in the activities that she chooses-- And it is only 1 sport at a time (she is 10).. She is in band in school also, but stopped chorus as it was taking too much of her free time away in school. Some of her friends are in Dance, Band, chorus,basketball, scouts, etc. all at 1 time- Way too much!

I don't think that doing too make activities causes ADHD. However I think some children can't cope with them all. I think you need to take the guide from your child. If they want to do lots of activities and are enjoying them and are happy then let them.