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by BTODD from Dallas/Fort Worth

Last Post 530 days, 2 hours Ago


Time with kids
Mar 21, 2007 | 10:56 PM
Category: News
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So what do y'all think about this study?  "Women spending more time with their kids.." is certainly a good thing right?  I mean when I was a kid I remember my Mom spending a lot of time with us, reading, playing, that sort of thing. I also remember Dad taking me to baseball games, football games, and fishing.  So are parents now days really obsessed with spending as much time as they can with their kids? Or are there just more activities these days to keep all of them extra busy? And what about that... my son is only a year and a half, so we're not at the T-Ball or Soccer point yet. Is there such a thing as too many activities? Can parents and kids get caught up in trying to do all of these things and forget about having simple "quality time"??

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Member Comments Total Comments: 8
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junecleaver read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2007 | 5:57 AM

I think it's wonderful when parents put their children first. But I do think many parents think that the time with their children has to be structured. I know some children whose "down time" is structured down to the last second. These children need their own PDA's to keep up with their tight schedules. Afterschool time is spent running to karate, soccer, etc., then it's off to home to scarf down dinner & try to squeeze homework in. The parents will sit by the child to make sure every comma of homework is done "correctly". Then weekends are usually spent running around on errands, soccer games, t-ball games, birthday parties, church, out to eat, off to grandma's, etc. These children are absolutely exhausted & so are the parents. Spending more time with your children doesn't mean in all structured activities. It means just being there for your children. It means maybe going outside to blow bubbles with them, coloring with them, or getting them to pitch in with household chores, or just listening to them talk. My daughters & I eat out once a week so that we can "reconnect". That hour of chat & good food is far more important than an entire weekend of constant things to do.
GratefulGrace read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2007 | 8:06 AM

One activity per kid PERIOD!!!
marcusbernau read my blog
Mar 22, 2007 | 8:33 AM

and we wonder why alot of the older folks end up in old folks home, i think quality time and having a strong family is important, other wise move the 18 year old out and see ya. and most want the 18 year old out cause they are bad caused babysitters and daycare raised them. most of us guys put our women to work to double our income. but at the end you just end up paying more taxes and end up kids that only resemble the looks.
oldi read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2007 | 8:56 AM

I had my daughters enrolled in a lot of activities.
Later, I went through a period of feeling guilty about it, but they are very organized adults.
I think that since they had to go to ballet, gymnastics, tap, baton, etc., they learned discipline. My youngest daughter had to take ballet for a ligament condition. This was physician recomended. They have thanked me for keeping them in activities that steered them away from bad influences. I guess everything has an up and a down side.
I always cooked the evening meal for them and we sat down and ate dinner together.
ryngwrayth read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2007 | 9:03 AM

Mom's spending mroe time is great...but one shouldn't forget the importance of father's. My dh took his paternity leave and spent it with us....but how many companies even OFFER such a thing?

I think good Daddy's might even be more important...

As to activities...my DD is 5 and she's done Basketball..we'll be continuing that and she might give softball a try this summer...and her swimming lessons will continue.

My son...he's marked for baseball as he's a lefty...lol. But he's only going to be 4 come August so he's young yet.

We aren't people who like to run around...once a week, on the weekends...that's what we prefer as to activities. And we always leave time for US....the grownups...to have alone time...so important. Your kids shouldn't take over everything.
ted-mania read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2007 | 10:21 AM

a couple of weekends ago my wife and i were at the old six flags mall...waiting for the dillards outlet store to open....out in front of the store, they had a pinewood derby set up for a local cub scout troop....this brought back memories for me...however things have changed now a days.....these dads were all control freaks....the cars themselves had airbrushed, custom paint jobs...hand crafted aluminum wheels....and intricately carved and shaped bodies....i KNOW that the dads did most if not all of the work on these cars...in my day we had to build the cars ourselves...some of the fathers wouldn't even let the boys handle the cars...it was a little sad watching the boys lined up with their hands behind their backs....and the dads getting to have all of the fun....some times parents need to just step back a little and let the kids have some fun....and yes....there was an argument or two over some close finishes...not between the scouts.....but between the dads...sad...
chardoney read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2007 | 11:00 AM

I think there's way to much time spent on 'activities'! Just being around your kids is the important thing... not filling their time. Dinner time and Sunday lunch are always important.
GRAYWOLF read my blog view my photos
Mar 22, 2007 | 1:11 PM

The amount isn't as important as listening to your kids. If they want to do more, then it is fine. If they decide they don't want to do something, when the season is over, they can quit. I think it is important to not let them quit in the middle of the season.

It is also important that these activities aren't done just to have a babysitter for an hour.

My daughter has no interest in playing basketball (much to my chagrin). I could try to bribe her by telling her I would coach, but I don't want her to do it for me.

I am hoping my son doesn't want to play baseball...but if that is what he wants to do, I will support that.

If he keeps up he will be one heck of a QB. He has been able to hit his target since he has been able to throw (only 2 now).

I guess the important thing is to keep the perspective and priorities straight. Winning is nice, but it is not the goal at the peewee level. That is the time to learn the skills and enjoy the exercise.
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BTODD

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