Finding Balance in Our Children’s Busy Lives

In our area, it's common for parents to fill their children's days with after-school and weekend extracurricular activities. We’re fortunate to have so many opportunities available—whether it's sports, music, or art, there’s no shortage of ways to keep our children active and engaged. However, while these activities offer benefits, from building skills to encouraging social development, we need to pause and ask ourselves: Is it too much?

As parents, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to expose our children to as much as possible. After all, we want the best for them! But there's a balance to be struck. Kids need time to simply be kids. They need downtime—a moment to breathe, reflect, and process all they’ve learned. Without this, they risk burning out, losing the joy that comes with learning and growing.

In our family, we've felt the pressure too. Our daughter is currently involved in ice skating, soccer, dance, and swimming. As wonderful as each of these activities is on its own, we’ve realized that it’s too much. We’re now working to scale back to a more manageable routine, limiting activities to at most three days a week. This will give her the space to rest and unwind.

But what should we do with this newfound time? Instead of constantly rushing from one activity to the next, we can take a step back and focus on what matters most: connection. We can spend more time talking about our days, practicing reading, or even cooking together as a family. These moments, while simple, are invaluable for helping children feel grounded, loved, and supported.

Ultimately, I want my children to grow up with the energy and enthusiasm to pursue their passions. But I also want to ensure they have time to recover and recharge. A packed schedule might seem productive, but in the long run, it’s not sustainable. Let’s give our children the chance to enjoy their childhoods, with room for rest, discovery, and connection.