Is Your Child in Too Many Extracurriculars? | Therapy in Greensburg

Every good parent knows that providing an enriching environment lays the foundation for future success.

...Or does it?

From summer camp,art class, to music lessons, and sports, library programs, how many extracurricular activities are too many and where do parents good intentions bleed into something less helpful and even have the unintentional consequence of creating a stressful and anxiety ridden environment for children?

Extensive research shows that kid extracurricular activities—such as sports, arts, and clubs—generally improve social skills, self-esteem, and school engagement, while reducing risky behaviors. However, studies note that overscheduling can harm mental health. Finding that balance? Harder than balancing ballet and softball on the same evening.

Warning Signs Your Child Is Involved in Too Many Extracurricular Activities

•Sleep. Is your child getting 8+ hours of sleep at night? Or are late-night football practices cutting into their sleep?

•How about grades? If grades start to fall because of academics, there's possibly too many activities.

•How do you, the parent, feel? If you're burned out... your kiddo might be too.

•Listen to your kids and teach your kids to listen to themselves. Helping your child to understand and respond to their emotional cues might be more impactful for their future wellbeing than mastering their tennis swing or perfecting their smooth violin strokes.

•Does your child have a lot of tummy aches, headaches, or have excuses when it is time to practice? According to the CDC, these things can be related to Anxiety. If you notice these patterns in your child, it might be time to have a discussion with your child about whether they want to continue to participate in this activity. any longer or a different variation that doesn’t stress outcome or skill.

•Does the child have time to just be? Just be means having free time that is not structured. Overscheduled children also have overscheduled families, this a form of performance based obsessiveness being passed between generations. Does your child have time to themselves everyday? Do you have time together to be a family? Eat meals together? Have conversations or are your moments spent shuffling from one activity to another, eating in the car then heading to bed when you’re home?

•Has your child verbalized that they don’t want to participate in a certain activity? Are they fighting you or resisting their activities? Has this been a source of conflict between you? Many parents who want what’s best for their child insist that they should stick it out and encourage them to continue with the sport, activity, or instrument. The fine art of parenting is to know what is healthy stick-to-itiveness versus what is pushing past a child’s boundaries or neglecting their emotional needs.

What Parents Can Do When Extracurricular Activities Cause Your Child Anxiety?

• Free play, as opposed to goal-oriented play activities.

While goal oriented activities can help a child develop certain skills, when those skills are scrutinized by parents, coaches or teachers, it can lead to self esteem issues, stress, and anxiety. This is especially true around the age of 12 when kids start to compare themselves to their peers in the formation of identity and self concept.

• If your child is experiencing burnout from extracurricular activities, evaluate if the activity aligns with your family values - are you having enough family time? Is it time to take a break and try a different activity? Or take a break from all activities for a bit?

Your kids are awesome and deserve that balance between too many activities and pursuing their goals and passions. This won't look the same from family to family, or even kid to kid.

For therapy in Greensburg, for children, teens, adults, parents, or couples, give us a call today - 724.201.9815.

This blog is written and maintained by non-clinical staff. Therefore, it should be taken as psychoeducation and opinion only and not as medical advice or a replacement for therapy. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis that is life-threatening, please call 911. For a mental health crisis that is not life-threatening, call 988.