Whether school is in full swing or you’re dealing with summer schedules, you may be asking yourself, “Where does the time go?” I was stunned the first time I realized my kids were feeling this way, too!

Children often feel the push to become involved in as many different activities as possible. And, parents, who tend to have their own wide variety of interests, don’t always see or set the limits that their children need. As a parent, it’s important to monitor your child for signs of activity “burn out” and to step in when you know your kids are being overloaded.

If you’ve got a “stressed out” kid, here are some simple strategies to help improve the situation. First, set priorities. Help your children pick activities that are most important to them, make sure they can handle these, along with other responsibilities, and then help them manage their time wisely. Second, check on their homework load. Making schoolwork the first priority shows your children how important an education really is. Third, be sure to schedule downtime. Time to “rest and relax” is just as important as the activities themselves. And finally, be a role model. Parents with too many activities in their own lives will likely find that “over-scheduling” is happening in the lives of their children, too.

Out-of-school activities aren’t bad for children. In fact, research shows extracurricular activities have been linked to higher grades regardless of the type of activity. The important thing for parents to remember is to help their children find a balance in their lives.

Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at familyalbumradio.org.

Take the Family Album Radio Survey

Podcast: Finding the Balance
Written by Minal Patel and Christa Guerrero
Reviewed by Donna Davis and Suzanna Smith

Sources

Cosden, M., Morrison, G., Gutierrez, L., & Brown, M. (2004). The effects of homework programs and after-school activities on school success. Theory into Practice, 43, 220-226.

The Nemours media room, the latest news. (n.d.). Retrieved November 3, 2006, from Are Today's Kids Too Busy? Web site: http://www.nemours.org/internet?url=no/releases/2006/060628