Childhood Check: Are Your Kids Too Busy?
By Genevieve Cunningham
Living a full life means being involved. It means having hobbies and partaking in activities. While we already know this as adults, it applies to children as well. We all need to be engaged in life. But for kids, just a little bit of busyness can be too much. It doesn't take much before they become overwhelmed. As parents, how do we know when enough is enough? If you want to keep your kids busy -- and just the right amount -- take a look at how to check their schedules and keep them balanced in life.
What Kids Need
It's true that kids need to be busy. They need to be involved. But they also need plenty of time to play on their own -- without any restrictions or rules. They need time outside and time with friends. They need unstructured time! If they don't get this time, it can significantly slow down their progress and hurt their physical and mental well-being. They'll also need structure. Structured kids are better off in the long run. In order to get structure and free time, we have to find just the right balance between busy and too much.
Signs You Should Slow Down
If your kids need to slow down and be involved in fewer activities, they'll often let you know. Watch for changes in your child's behavior. Irritability, sleeping problems, and general unhappiness may mean it's time to slow down. If you can't fit in free time, it's time to slow down. If your kids aren't able to relax and just be kids, it's time to slow down. As parents, we have to constantly be on the lookout for issues. And when we see a problem, we have to act fast to give our kids the balance they need to succeed.
How You Can Help
In order to help your kids find balance, you can set some guidelines. Maybe they're only allowed one activity at a time. If they're playing soccer, baseball will just have to wait. You can also begin to teach them time management skills. This might include setting daily schedules and keeping checklists. Finally, don't be afraid to tell your kids no! As the adult in the situation, you know best, and if they're leaning toward being too busy, it may be time to step in and redirect their time and energy.
It's important for kids to be busy. It's important for them to try new things and take various classes and have a ton of fun! But it's also important to provide plenty of opportunity for free play and down time. Use these tips to keep your kids busy and balanced for better health and happiness long-term.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Riverdale, Utah.