Over Scheduled Kids, Stressed Out Parents. Who is Winning?

"So, today Joshie has soccer and piano, Amelia has dance and chorus, and Winston has Karate and T-Ball". Then she sighs. BIG.

This familiar rant is heard all around the car lines, the bus stops, and the play dates. The tone of voice and the exasperated looks are always the same as the day's schedule is announced.

Parents today spend so much time shuffling their kids from place to place they lose sight of their own needs and in the process, lose themselves, their sanity and their family structure. They complain, they whine, and they are just plain tired. (I will say this. There is a special heaven for Hockey Moms.)

It starts off innocently enough. After you have your first baby and get into somewhat of a groove, you start to venture out to "activities" for your little cherub. First, it's story hour at the library, then it's "Gymboree", and before he's one, you fear he's lagging behind so you enroll him in Mandarin Chinese language lessons. Then there are swim lessons, soccer, T-ball and karate, all before he's learned how to wipe. And for the girls, there is ballet, pageants (another blog), and Princess lessons.

We're so concerned that our child(ren) will not be able to "keep up" with the other children, we fall into the trap, thinking this insane rat race is normal.

Here's a little secret. It's not.

From my own Mom experience, I have learned that kids need to play; freely, by themselves, and with others. They love to explore, imagine, and create, all within their own space. How do I know this? Because I have 2 boys who fight over toilet paper holders and tape because they are too busy creating antennas, binoculars, robots, and microphones. They really don't need a lot to make them happy. Yesterday, they fought over a string and I had to set the timer to give each equal time playing with the string. I am not lying, people.

Parents complain about not having enough time but they do have a choice. In our house we have a 1 activity rule. Only one sport/activity allowed at a time. After it's over, you can move on to something different. Often times the parents are competing with each other to see who can do more. And in the end, does little Suzy end up in the New York Ballet? Does little Joshie get a full hockey scholarship? Chances are, no.

If you are a parent who is stressed from over scheduling, just ask yourself the following questions:
1. Does my child enjoy this activity? Ask the kid, s/he might surprise you.
2. Does taking my child to this activity place too many demands on the parent and family structure?
3. Is it too expensive? Are you sacrificing in other ways just to keep this activity going?
4. Are there alternatives to this activity?
5. How else would/could you spend your time if you weren't "sacrificing" for the child? (When do mommy & daddy get some play time is what I mean!!)
6. Is the child's school work suffering?
7. Is the child getting enough sleep and time to "be a kid"?
8. Do you think you missed out on something as a kid and are now trying to overcompensate?

Just some things to think about when finding the right balance in your family life. Personally, I was involved in softball, bowling, volleyball, Pep Squad, archery and school government. (I was the most uncoordinated participant out there, but I had fun). Most of my activities were "Intramural", free, and right after school. They did not seem to create any undue stress on my parents but at the same time, enriched my life, introduced me to new friends, and kept me out of trouble.

I hope this blog does not sound "preachy". My hope is that parents might take a step back and consider all factors. Childhood is already too short coupled with the fact that the life of a grownup is a constant treadmill. It sounds like a recipe for slowing down, doesn't it?

Just because everyone else is stressed and over scheduled doesn't mean you have to be too!

Would love to hear your feedback here on this blog. Please feel free to post your opinions here.

Jamie Oliver is My Hero

I am watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC. This poor man may as well try to climb Mount Washington in an ice storm wearing roller skates.

I am so furious, disgusted, and saddened when I see a program that showcases a world renowned chef from England trying to revolutionize how kids are eating in America's schools. How did it come to this? Why, all of a sudden do we need a superhero from England to rescue us? How helpless and clueless has this country become? Can we be saved? That remains to be seen.

His first episode is set in Huntington, West Virginia. He is taking on the monumental task of the resistant lunch ladies, children who can't even identify a potato unless it's in the form of a French fry, and a family who uses a deep fryer for every single meal. Jamie's goal is to bring the obesity crisis to the forefront and to revolutionize the school meals served to thousands of children every day.

This show is definitely not easy to watch, especially when you see just how much of the food is thrown away by the children. I have found myself screaming at the t.v. and crying for what Jamie is up against. I am so proud of him for his convictions as a chef and a parent.

There is so much blame going around. Do we blame the lunch ladies for preparing the food? Or the ones who mandate what's on the menu? Or, the food industry for producing high fat, high sodium, cheap, processed "food"? Better yet, do we blame the parents for letting the kids eat the cafeteria food? Why can't they make the kids' lunches? Are the parents too complacent? Shouldn't they question the status quo?

There are so many questions and not enough answers. But this I know: I think Jamie and anyone else who makes a stand about these issues is a big hero. I am still angry and feel now it's too little, too late and many kids' taste buds have been seriously brainwashed by fake food. And then there is the hopeful, idealistic part of me that wants to believe that the right people are watching this show and actually listening and taking action. I hope there is some major divine intervention and they all see the light before it's too late.

Things You Won't Read About on this Blog

Poopie diapers, breastfeeding, parenting tips, how to make your newborn read,timeouts, chicken nuggets, playdates (btw, who invented that term?),1st day of school jitters, being Super Mom, having it all, and potty training.

This is my solemn promise to you. If I ever sound like Kathy Lee Gifford, please stop me, ok? Thanks!