Mothers Day Tips for Helping Kids Find Balance

Kids are so busy these days with sports and other activities.  School is more demanding and just like most Mom's kids need balance.  They need time to play and ride their bikes.  They need time to do their homework and to feel supported and successful.  They need time to hang out with friends and downtime by themselves.  We all need family time at dinner, doing something fun or just being together.  So how do we help them find balance?

 1. We have a rule, one sport per season.  It is tempting to play soccer and lacrosse, but you and they will likely not have a free night or a day on the weekend to do yard work or go for a hike. When did sports become so all encompassing?  The commitment of an 11 year old to a sport including every long weekend to me is crazy.  Long weekends should be time for family, extended family and friends.  If we spent this much time and effort or academics, music or art we would have some pretty talented kids!  It is important to get the physical activity and to be part of a team, but it feels like it has gone overboard.  

2. Plan play dates or encourage your kids to call a neighbor to play.  Them let them play.  We are lucky to live in a neighborhood where the kids play wiffle ball and kick ball and they make forts in the woods.  If you don't, meet someone at a playground or a baseball field for kick ball.  Get them started and walk away, a lot of social life skills are learned in free play.

3. Once a month plan a family event.  A friend of mine used to call it "forced family fun".  When we hike my kids complain on the way to the trail, but are happy and running ahead after about 10 minutes.  Expose them to different activities, a museum, a concert, any event that seems different and interesting.  I think it is our job to help them find their interests and talents, by having all kinds of experiences we not only form bonds but they may find something they love to do.

4. Set a time and place for homework and be around to help.  My son Ryan had a 5th grade teacher that suggested that they have all of their supplies in one easy place.  She also used homework as a way to learn time management and organization.  I need to work on this one with the kids!

5. Downtime and time alone are as important as healthy nutrition.  Our kids need to know how to relax.  It is not a waste of time, it is important to let them find ways to be comfortable with quiet time.  

Happy  Mothers Day!  Follow Your Bliss, Kristan