I don't think I will ever be one of those moms who puts her kids in a plethora of activities. I am against over-scheduling (let kids be kids), but I am kind of a slacker mom anyway. But at this point, I almost wonder if my kid will ever willing be involved in anything.
Growing up, my brothers and I were typically involved in one activity at a time. I recall taking dance lessons for a short time when I was three. For the first three years of grade school, I was a Brownie, and for the next few years, I was back to dance lessons. Oh, and one year I was an awful pom-pom girl (which was probably the year I did not take dance lessons). My parents were all about family time. But I am fairly certain that back in the '70s and maybe early '80s (and certainly long before that), that was the way most parents were.
I knew when Jordan was a baby, toddler, and even a young preschooler, I would not be taking her to Gymboree, an art class, soccer, or dance lessons. Because she was in daycare, she had plenty of social interaction, and I was not so willing to give up my precious little time with my kid anyway.
But when she entered kindergarten and again in first grade, I threw out all sorts of ideas. Unfortunately, nothing interested her. Since I was not working, I was not exactly heart-broken that she did not want to attend $60/month dance lessons. But I could not even get her to sing in the children's choir for Christmas or take a one-evening beading class at the library, things I am sure she would enjoy.
Mostly, she is scared of new things, and she really hates to be without me (in addition to being a slacker mom, I am also a helicopter mom). So I am now faced with the dilemma of forcing her to try something or letting it go for now, since she is only six. I particularly would like her to participate in the Catholic Schools Week mass in a few weeks. I am paying a lot of money for this school, and she likes it, so I figured she could at least be a greeter. We would be there anyway!
If anyone has any thoughts, I would appreciate it. Until then, I am planning to take her to an art class at the library tomorrow.
Growing up, my brothers and I were typically involved in one activity at a time. I recall taking dance lessons for a short time when I was three. For the first three years of grade school, I was a Brownie, and for the next few years, I was back to dance lessons. Oh, and one year I was an awful pom-pom girl (which was probably the year I did not take dance lessons). My parents were all about family time. But I am fairly certain that back in the '70s and maybe early '80s (and certainly long before that), that was the way most parents were.
I knew when Jordan was a baby, toddler, and even a young preschooler, I would not be taking her to Gymboree, an art class, soccer, or dance lessons. Because she was in daycare, she had plenty of social interaction, and I was not so willing to give up my precious little time with my kid anyway.
But when she entered kindergarten and again in first grade, I threw out all sorts of ideas. Unfortunately, nothing interested her. Since I was not working, I was not exactly heart-broken that she did not want to attend $60/month dance lessons. But I could not even get her to sing in the children's choir for Christmas or take a one-evening beading class at the library, things I am sure she would enjoy.
Mostly, she is scared of new things, and she really hates to be without me (in addition to being a slacker mom, I am also a helicopter mom). So I am now faced with the dilemma of forcing her to try something or letting it go for now, since she is only six. I particularly would like her to participate in the Catholic Schools Week mass in a few weeks. I am paying a lot of money for this school, and she likes it, so I figured she could at least be a greeter. We would be there anyway!
If anyone has any thoughts, I would appreciate it. Until then, I am planning to take her to an art class at the library tomorrow.
Comments
Yes, I know she is at school without me, and her first day she had the saddest look when I left her (captured on film, of course). Once she gets used to something, she is typically fine without me.
Still not ready to leave her at a party or on a playdate without me. Pathetic, I know.