• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lighthouse Psychological Services

Lighthouse Psychological Services

Children and family counseling and therapy

  • Services
    • COVID-19 and Telepsychology
    • Appointment Request
    • Rates & Insurance
  • About
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Mental Health Links
  • Contact

Finding the Sweet Spot: Is Your Child Over-Scheduled?

Shontinese Huey · November 10, 2019 ·

Families are busy these days. Between a parent’s busy home and work life, and kids in school with after school activities, it can be hard to figure out a balance. Certainly activities outside of school will enrich your child’s life, but at what point is it adding value, and when is it pushing your family over the edge?

 

Lack of Sleep

It’s important to make sure your child is getting enough sleep. After they’re done with school and their extracurricular activity, they should have enough time to do homework, eat dinner, and get at least eight hours of sleep. If you have trouble getting them out of bed in the morning, if they’re lethargic all day or sleeping in class, your child may be over-scheduled because they’re not getting enough sleep.

 

Lack of Down Time

Kids benefit from unstructured time. Unstructured time helps them relax and decompress. It’s important to note however that screen time is not unstructured time. Time spent using electronics doesn’t relax them or help them decompress from the day. It doesn’t add stress, but it doesn’t take it away, either.

 

Your Child Acts Out When They Get Home

One of the biggest signs that your child is over-scheduled is if they come home from school and have a meltdown. When kids are at school, there’s much that’s expected from them. They have to have self-control all day, and a lack of unstructured time over the week can make them feel like they can’t take it anymore.

 

Finding a Balance

It can be difficult to find that sweet spot between a healthy number of activities for your kids, without your family having to sacrifice in other areas. First, evaluate how much time you’re spending on an activity. Include time spent at the activity, the time preparing, time spent at practice and driving to and from. Research shows that eight hours a week works best for children. Five to seven activities over the course of a year is at the top end of the “sweet spot” before extra activities start to have a negative impact.

 

Make a conscious decision to have some down time over the course of a year. Maybe pick a season not to have any activities scheduled for your children, so you can all enjoy some structured family life. Things like doing chores, helping with dinner, etc. is a boon to both children and families. Everyone benefits from family engagement.

If you’re a parent and you’re struggling or just need some support, call my office today and let’s schedule a time to talk.

Parenting, Teens/Children

Primary Sidebar

Recent Blog Posts

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions by Parents

April 17, 2020

How to Cope with the Stress and Anxiety Caused by COVID-19

April 14, 2020

5 Foods to Keep Your Immune System Strong

April 7, 2020

5 Signs of Childhood Emotional Neglect

March 13, 2020

How to Help Your Child Manage Their Anxiety

March 2, 2020

Schedule a Free 15 Minute Consultation

Get Started

(209) 451-9475 • lighthouseinfo@pauboxmail.com

Schedule a free 15 minute consultation

Lighthouse Psychological Services

Copyright © 2016–2021 Lighthouse Psychological Services · CA License #21817 · Privacy Policy · Log in