“I know it sounds absurd,” she admitted. We found ourselves sitting side by side at the local skating rink, admiring our daughters as they twirled around together. After months of trying to coordinate schedules, we finally managed to get together for a playdate. Her family was juggling an astonishing seven extracurricular activities among their three children.
She explained how each of her kids was engaged in multiple sports simultaneously, leaving their weekdays and weekends packed with practices and games. Despite having a newly acquired home complete with a stunning pool and ample space for soccer, those features remained largely unused. “We just don’t have time,” she sighed.
I couldn’t help but smile as I shared our contrasting approach. Our four children participate in only one activity at a time, often leaving us with entire stretches of free time. “What do you do with that time?” she inquired, sipping her coffee.
I told her we cherish free play, creativity, and family bonding. Our Friday nights are dedicated to enjoying buttery popcorn while watching movies. Saturday mornings often involve pancake breakfasts, basketball games, bike rides, or inviting friends over for dinner. Sundays are for church and household projects, with only a few weekends each year spent visiting family.
In essence, our weekends are ours; we dedicate them to one another rather than to coaches or tutors. My kids are not isolated from social interactions. My oldest is taking ballet, my second daughter is transitioning from basketball to drum lessons, and my son is starting a short ninja warrior class. My toddler’s activity consists of following her siblings around, while I prefer to skip organized Mommy-and-Me classes.
While some may perceive our lifestyle as dull compared to others’ packed schedules, the reality is that we find joy in our peaceful, harmonious home. We relish our Saturday mornings without alarms and our leisurely Sunday afternoons spent building forts in the living room or swimming during the summer while enjoying music and popsicles.
The fleeting years of childhood are precious, and those unscheduled moments are invaluable. We are crafting memories as a family and reaping the rewards of being present in each other’s lives. In many ways, this is the greatest adventure we could embark on.
This lifestyle may not suit everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. I’m not concerned about my kids’ college applications or whether they can master the piano by a certain age. Instead, we find delight in running through sprinklers, and my children certainly don’t seem to mind.
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In summary, while many families thrive on busy schedules filled with extracurricular activities, we’ve chosen a different path—one that prioritizes family time, creativity, and joyful moments at home.