Tim Jordan, M.D., a longstanding counselor for teenage girls, emphasizes the negative impact of overscheduling on children by their parents. Notably, he highlights successful parents who, out of fear for their children's future, fill their schedules with numerous extracurricular activities. This approach often neglects the child's actual interests and well-being, resulting in stress and burnout, as seen in a case of a high school student torn between cheerleading and dance. Jordan further urges the importance of free time for children, advocating for a balance between structured activities and personal exploration.
The overscheduling of kids in extracurricular activities stems from parents wanting them to be successful, but it often ignores what children truly enjoy.
Parents fear their children will be left behind and mistakenly prioritize extracurriculars over their children's actual interests, leading to burnout and dissatisfaction.
I advocate for allowing kids to choose their activities and ensuring they have some free time to explore their interests outside structured events.
Successful parents often feel they can't say no to their children's requests for new things, contributing to a culture of overindulgence in parenting.
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