tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post3172197865936198423..comments2023-11-28T04:49:21.046-06:00Comments on We Are THAT Family: In Which I Confess I am Actually Not Mary PoppinsKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02608199440254905212noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-84943055347399697352008-10-16T13:51:00.000-05:002008-10-16T13:51:00.000-05:00Love this post. I could not agree more!!Love this post. I could not agree more!!Queen Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16974305034774639237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-90434113337501754232008-10-08T19:22:00.000-05:002008-10-08T19:22:00.000-05:00I truly wished I had done something like this earl...I truly wished I had done something like this earlier in our lives. With Jessie being 18 know and Syd 14 it will be hard to get them involved. I would love to try and do something like this though. :)Valarie Leahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03246244572843705930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-69659072652026062342008-10-08T16:44:00.000-05:002008-10-08T16:44:00.000-05:00I like all of your ideas. Regarding scheduling, w...I like all of your ideas. Regarding scheduling, we are using the popular one activity per child rule. Right now my three older kids are playing soccer, and the girls are on the same team. It works for us.nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06605426195521274662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-50864400426938982072008-10-08T16:33:00.000-05:002008-10-08T16:33:00.000-05:00It's so important for kids to have time to be kids...It's so important for kids to have time to be kids...to cuddle with Mama, to play with siblings, to run around the back yard, to color at the kitchen table.....why the rush to fill every waking hour?Sophy Nextdoorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06497203134629769077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-24122264196124243182008-10-08T12:27:00.000-05:002008-10-08T12:27:00.000-05:00Sounds wonderful! I do think all the activities f...Sounds wonderful! I do think all the activities for kids has gotten a little out of hand and you are made to feel like a bad parent if your kid is not involved in everything.<BR/><BR/>My son is doing baseball and that's it. No other activities. He told me in the past that he did not like to be "so busy" so I keep that in mind. I would love for him to take piano lessons and learn Spanish and work on golfing, but those things will have to wait or we will have to do them as a family.<BR/><BR/>You've given me some good ideas about scheduling some family nights.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06958936771590770427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-91776923172265359152008-10-08T07:06:00.000-05:002008-10-08T07:06:00.000-05:00We've done the same thing as far as scheduling. T...We've done the same thing as far as scheduling. The kids only have scouts right now and it's wonderful. We'll probably put Goober in some sort of sport next year because it suits him, but I don't have the time or the money to enroll each kid in scouts and some other extracurricular activity. And honestly, when do kids get to just be kids if they're running from here and there all the time?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166875964870812562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-72851304590207346542008-10-08T07:01:00.000-05:002008-10-08T07:01:00.000-05:00I think the choices you are making for your family...I think the choices you are making for your family are great - it sounds like your household is taking a big sigh of relief!<BR/><BR/>My mom didn't allow any of us kids to take any sports until we were in Middle School and she was very sparing in other activities as well. I think it's good. Kids need time to be kids.Alexiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09865654988923436719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-70922201225462091842008-10-08T05:20:00.000-05:002008-10-08T05:20:00.000-05:00I think you've made some great choices for your fa...I think you've made some great choices for your family.<BR/>Being busy and over scheduled can hinder a child's natural imagination. The kind they only get to use when they are exposed to a little bordem lol!Testhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12266055006487647881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-29643993429016789932008-10-08T00:42:00.000-05:002008-10-08T00:42:00.000-05:00This post made me want to better our lives, too. F...This post made me want to better our lives, too. Family nights are really important to me but it's getting hubby on board that is difficult.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15883583894037185964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-70733121146734650652008-10-07T19:56:00.000-05:002008-10-07T19:56:00.000-05:00wow. i actually just talked about this with my bes...wow. i actually just talked about this with my best friend yesterday. i was wondering out loud why we weren't in all of these things when we were young kids, was it that they weren't offered? was it money? was it that there were lower expectations for kids back then? and i think it may have been a combination. i mean, there is swimming, baseball, football, soccer, gymnastics.. and that's just for the TWO YEAR OLDS. when did we get this way? i give you a high five for s-l-o-w-i-n-g down!! your family time together is inspirational!Christie O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16119774914469200174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-71300860121092952302008-10-07T19:29:00.000-05:002008-10-07T19:29:00.000-05:00I too feel kids are over scheduled. I have cut my ...I too feel kids are over scheduled. I have cut my daughter down to one activity a session and then girl guides which she loves . I figure one year round activity and then one she picks is enough. She has so much going on at school which is all her choice that she doesnt need to have more than that. This time around it is drama which is great she is trying new things. It really makes her think when she has to pick one thing only though. I think that is great for the children.<BR/>Good for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05910109215934909401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-24828734955984968402008-10-07T18:16:00.000-05:002008-10-07T18:16:00.000-05:00Good for you for taking charge of your lives! I t...Good for you for taking charge of your lives! I think kids feel so much pressure because of all the extra-curricular stuff. And, you are right, if YOU have aspirations for your child to do anything in high school, it has to start when they are toddlers. Ridiculous.<BR/><BR/>My kids only do one extra-curricular activity at a time. They've tried a variety of things and have found where their passions lie.D...https://www.blogger.com/profile/12178201484420845742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-62445343786490225072008-10-07T17:46:00.001-05:002008-10-07T17:46:00.001-05:00You are speaking my language! I've been spending ...You are speaking my language! I've been spending time lately working on a personal mission statement and being intentional in all I do. I'm reading a book called, "Breathe" by Keri Wyatt Kent about "creating space for God in a hectic life". I'm giving one away on my blog. <BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/>JulieTales From the Eurovanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433375800509492630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-31807585033045482192008-10-07T17:46:00.000-05:002008-10-07T17:46:00.000-05:00You are speaking my language! I've been spending ...You are speaking my language! I've been spending time lately working on a personal mission statement and being intentional in all I do. I'm reading a book called, "Breathe" by Keri Wyatt Kent about "creating space for God in a hectic life". I'm giving one away on my blog. <BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/>JulieTales From the Eurovanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433375800509492630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-71967453633898311242008-10-07T17:08:00.000-05:002008-10-07T17:08:00.000-05:00Our kids are 6, 7, and 9. They are only allowed o...Our kids are 6, 7, and 9. They are only allowed one extracurricular activity at a time.<BR/>If something has to go, THEY choose what that is. <BR/>I say "amen" to your post!Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05708439514987552372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-24224349810623614602008-10-07T15:43:00.000-05:002008-10-07T15:43:00.000-05:00While my kids did scouts we didn't do anything els...While my kids did scouts we didn't do anything else either. Now, we are playing soccer with one child while the other concentrates on High School. You really do have to do what's good for your family, it may not work for someone elses schedule. Mine is in alittle limbo as we are transitioning out of AYSO into Club. I do see bright skies peekign thru thou.AGSoccerMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00578376700382710359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-27118412503987835192008-10-07T15:16:00.000-05:002008-10-07T15:16:00.000-05:00So well said. We have put a moratorium on organize...So well said. We have put a moratorium on organized sports. With three boys all 2 years apart, it would LITERALLY be every night out, all year long. I put my foot down and said, "No way". And my kids could really care less at their age. So they don't get picked for the high school team the first year around...it builds character. <BR/><BR/>They have just as much fun playing together or with the kids in our neighborhood (that congregate at our basketball hoop). Cassandra mentioned Kevin Leman's book, "Home Court Advantage"...I would so recommend it. Its all about how we pass on our busy-ness to our kids and over schedule them. Great post!Nicole Bateman | thepixelboutique.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03853575388689827090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-69934198375773450882008-10-07T14:28:00.000-05:002008-10-07T14:28:00.000-05:00I left you something on my blog! EnjoyI left you something on my blog! EnjoyHenley on the Hornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18200566259157298386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-16405564782763446742008-10-07T13:43:00.000-05:002008-10-07T13:43:00.000-05:00What a neat thing you're doing. My kids were ...What a neat thing you're doing. My kids were in tkd, too, and I finally said enough...4 days a week, for 5 & 6 year old children??? Seriously??? I don't know what I was thinking, other than, we started this, made the commitment, and now we need to finish the job. I was trying to teach them to reach for a goal and get it. But it became not-so-fun anymore.<BR/><BR/>I told each of the kids (except the 1 year old) that they could choose one activity. Choose a sport. That's it. Not baseball AND soccer, baseball OR soccer. And I have had to reign *myself* in because I have the tendency to want them to try everything, and see what they like. But can they really like anything, when they are so busy they can't see straight?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I think what you're doing is great!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-13247607639098554222008-10-07T13:24:00.000-05:002008-10-07T13:24:00.000-05:00good for you!!! I think it's great when families ...good for you!!! I think it's great when families take the reins and decide what is best for their family, rather than letting society dictate to them. You go, girl!!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12672381424366160396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-85863162443460601372008-10-07T12:46:00.000-05:002008-10-07T12:46:00.000-05:00Good for you and the fam!My kids are allowed one e...Good for you and the fam!<BR/><BR/>My kids are allowed one extra-curricular activity of their choice . . . Princess chose gymnastics, Dude wants to try tennis lessons. We do allow them to play soccer in the spring and fall while these others are going on. And Dude plays baseball in the summer . . . but there is no gymnastics or tennis in the summer then. I just refuse - I refuse to drag them all around and I refuse to lose the limited time I have with them.<BR/><BR/>My view on sports is this . . . if you've got it, you've got it and you'll be good at it - no matter when you start. When you're 8 or 9 you pick up things much quicker than if you're 4 or 5. So why cart them all over and lose that time with them if they aren't really into it? If they are into it at that age, go for it - but make sure they want to do it for the right reasons. If you love it, you'll enjoy it and play it well enough to do it with your friends no matter what age you are. But the most important thing is to let the kids be kids . . . organize their own baseball games in the cul de sac, play army in the woods, play street hockey with a baseball glove, gladiator vest, and baseball helmet.<BR/><BR/>We've never been a TV-watching family. My kids have never seen Sponge Bob and a lot of other shows. If we watch, it's an occasional football game or baseball game or a DVD. We don't have video games in the house . . . just no time. It's just how it's been for us. Without all that stuff, we're STILL busy all the time . . . I can't imagine what it would be like with those things as well.<BR/><BR/>Anyway - good for you! I think everyone needs to take a step back and examine what they do daily and which parts of it are an unnecessary drain and which parts are truly important. The answers are different for everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-12429394914322197512008-10-07T12:38:00.000-05:002008-10-07T12:38:00.000-05:00We cut soccer from the schedule this fall and it h...We cut soccer from the schedule this fall and it has made a world of difference. We've always said no tv during the week and limit the weekends but even that we're reconsidering.<BR/>I love your idea of craft night, I'll have to think about doing that. Thanks for sharing, its encouraging to know we're not the only ones trying to slow down our schedule.fortyb4fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07477503960241031367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-8164258777406091812008-10-07T11:53:00.000-05:002008-10-07T11:53:00.000-05:00I'm eagerly waiting for updates from you. My young...I'm eagerly waiting for updates from you. My younger brother passed away this summer and since then I've realized that I need to make every second count with my kids (not that I didn't realize that before... but I think I forgot somewhere along the way). For the next few months, we're cutting out all activities except our small group on Thursday nights. We haven't cut cable yet, and I get a little anxious about that ;), but it's on my list of goals.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for taking a stand and being so inspiring.Kristy Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816266165596643837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-41975371101883915062008-10-07T11:50:00.000-05:002008-10-07T11:50:00.000-05:00What a great post... I too at times have felt over...What a great post... I too at times have felt overwhelmed and pressured about kids activities and like you my kids are 8,5,3, and 1. <BR/><BR/>I decided to take a break at the beginning of school and my 8 year old has chess club one day a week right after school done by 3:30 and my five year old has art one day after school also done at 3:30.<BR/><BR/>They are also happy to be home with each other and I have noticed that they play so well together and have fostered close relationships this summer and fall. it has definitely helped our family connectedness... I'm sure we will do some sports in the Spring, but for now it is nice to have family be the main event!!<BR/><BR/>Hope all your changes really engage your family in a meaningful way!Storytellin' Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04490636535435174412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-18352440605505599332008-10-07T11:49:00.001-05:002008-10-07T11:49:00.001-05:00I think you are on the right track. We've delibera...I think you are on the right track. We've deliberately minimized outside activities and have started a family night of our own. Now if I could just get Drama Queen's teacher's on board and assigning less homework!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com