After School Activities (inspired by another thread)

[Zandy595]

Are there any kids out there who don't do after school activities? DS10 is in Cub Scouts, but that's only once a week. He doesn't want to play team sports. He says other kids get mad at him in PE because he isn't good enough. He's more of an intellectual kid. He's on the highest honor in school. It's different from when I was young and the smart kids got picked on. In DS's school everyone thinks it's really cool to be on the honor roll.

What kinds of activities are out there for kids who don't want to play sports? Everyone around here is always taking their kids to "practice" after school and DS doesn't do anything. I feel like I'm doing something wrong, but I don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to do.

 

[Karel]

Well, my kids play mostly team sports and while they are not all that athletic, they have a good time. We do it for exercise and socialization but I don't think it's bad for them to develop their skills either. I think it depends on the type of team and coaches too. Their teams lose a lot so it's not like the team is competative.

How about looking at individual type sports, like martial arts? Maybe a 4-H? As he gets older, there will probably be more options for him in after school things, like a math league or a chess club.

 

[MamaLema]

Well my kids love to play sports, but there are plenty of after-school activities that aren't sports.

How about chess club or computer club? Swimming is good also, it's non-competitive unless they're on a team.

How about playing an instrument? Cooking clubs seem like they're for girls but in my experience 1/2 the class are usually boys

 

[Zandy595]

Well my kids love to play sports, but there are plenty of after-school activities that aren't sports.

How about chess club or computer club? Swimming is good also, it's non-competitive unless they're on a team.

He would love computer club, but they don't have anything like that around here.

 

[LindaR]

Know what? I wouldn't worry. My daughter did some activities when she was younger, then stopped for many years. She worked on her homework and read books, read books and read more books! Parents sometimes push kids into doing too much. There's nothing wrong with letting kids be kids, come home, chill out, play, spend time with family.

 

[Christine]

You aren't doing anything wrong. I know how you feel though. Early on with my kids, I felt the pressure to have them be "in something." And then when my kids didn't like anything I felt like something was wrong.

I've come to terms with it. They are not competitive, they feel pressured by team sports. Hey, if you don't enjoy it, don't bother.

I did want my son to have some exercise though. He has asthma and his doctor prescribed some sort of physical activity. About the only thing he would consider is Tae Kwon Do. He doesn't have to compete with others and his performance does not impact ANYONE else in the room. He is very happy and comfortable with this. But, even if he decides he no longer wants to do it, I am now comfortable with just letting it go.

 

[KiminChicago]

I teach for the Hands on Science Outreach program for my children's school. We meet once a week for 8 weeks and the kids all seem to really enjoy it. This 8 weeks we are doing a unit called "Toymaker." If your school doesn't offer this, you might want to look into getting it at your school -- the lesson plans are all laid out, you might even consider teaching it if it fits into your schedule. I have both of my kids in my class and they both critique my teaching style after class, but we're all having fun!