Re: After school activities - am I over doing it?

cjra wrote:

I'm not a fan of over-structured activities, however, I was like your
daughter as a kid. Drove my mom batty, but she gave me room to create,
for which I am always appreciative.

And it's not terribly to guide this creativity a
*little* bit, to avoid complete household destruction.
Friends have a room (really sort of a large closet near
their family room) that morphs into all sorts of different
things. Sometimes it's the "Art Lab" and is filled with
all sorts of basic arts and crafts materials. Sometimes
it's the "Lego Lab" (they have a huge collection, as one
kid is a major fan). Sometimes it's other things. By
changing it around every so often, it remains interesting
but provides a little structure for the creative outlet
and contains it from sprawling all over the house for
days on end. You wouldn't have to have a room--you could
just dedicate a specific area as a place where creations
wouldn't have to be dismantled each day.
Instead of spending as much money on activities,
you could use some of that money to put into basic supplies
to nurture the creative impulses she has. It's great that
she takes the initiative to use whatever you have around
the house, but sometimes it's safer (for all concerned ;-) )
if you provide some of the materials so that she can be
creative a little more safely.
She may also require a bit more personal supervision
if she's going off and doing things that you aren't
comfortable with. With two WOH parents, that may take some
doing if you're used to getting things done while she's
in these various activities. It's not a crime to involve
her in the things you need to do around the house as well.
She can go shopping with you (and learn a bit about math
and all sorts of other things). She can help out with
the housework and yardwork (and learn things, and make
it more fun for everyone). Life doesn't have to revolve
around keeping her in fun activities all the time.

Best wishes,
Ericka
.

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