What’s in Your Purse? - How Many Lists Do You Have in There? (Part Deux)

What’s in Your Purse? - How Many Lists Do You Have in There? (Part Deux)

IN ADDITION to obligations, something else in our handbags may be weighing us down: kid stuff. This topic is touchy for some women, but I think we should at least explore the idea that maybe our kids’ commitments are wearing us out. Some kids’ schedules rival those of the average CEO!

I’m not a child expert, but I’m fairly certain it will not damage children’s psyches nor will it thwart their opportunity to be the next Bill Gates if you tell them “not today.” Actually, our children might benefit from a bit of downtime themselves. What do you need for today? Children who are thriving. And they will thrive without dance lessons, piano lessons, soccer practice, and French lessons—all before Tuesday!

I’m sure I’m showing my age here, but I thought most people subscribed to the “one extracurricular activity per semester” rule—not ten! I was in a very different space and time when my kids were younger. First, we didn’t have the money to pay for tutors, coaches, music teachers, dance instructors, and camping fees at the same time. Second, I worked. I didn’t have the flexibility (or inclination) to shuttle my kids around. When I was off work, I wanted to be with my children, not sitting in the parking lot waiting for them to come out of a lesson. I fear we have traded the value of our teaching and time with our own children for the promise that they can tap out a good “shuffle-ball-change” at the spring dance recital, play the trombone on Friday night, and kick a goal on Saturday. Multidimensional kids are great—but have we taken it too far?

Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;wisdom is not found among fools. (Proverbs 14:33)

If tomorrow you learned that something was going to seriously alter your lifestyle or health, what would you change? Where and how would you spend your time to better nurture your children? I bet it would not be sitting behind the wheel of a car. It’s a mature, self-aware mom who learns to say, “no.”