Choosing Extracurricular Activities – Episode 220

by Saren Eyre Loosli on Aug 9, 2017 3 Comments Posted in: Power of Moms Radio, Routines, Structure and Rules, Teaching Values/Character

Here’s Eliza (the blond) with cross country running teammates

As we head into a new school year, many of us are trying to decide which extracurricular activities we should sign our children up for. It can be such a challenge to figure out which activities are right for our children! You can visit this website with your children to see is they would like these hobbies.

In this episode, Saren and her 14-year-old daughter Eliza share experiences and offer ideas to help navigate the world of extracurricular activities for kids of all ages.

Questions answered include:

How do you decide which activities are right for your child and family?
How do you know when is a good time to start your child on an instrument, sport, etc.?
How much is too much? How much is too little?
Should you force your child to try an activity?
Should you let your child quit an activity if they get tired of it?

Show Notes

Thank you to our podcast sponsor, RXBAR Kids!

You can find RXBAR Kids at Target stores or you can visit RXBAR.com/powerofmoms and enter promo code “powerofmoms” at checkout to save 25% off your first purchase.

Saren’s kids enjoying RXBAR Kids on a recent hike

You’ll love these bars!

Music from Creations by Michael R. Hicks

Audio editing by Emily Peterson

About Saren Eyre Loosli

Saren adores her five energetic, adventurous, precocious children but doesn't totally adore the mess and busyness and bickering that that comes with them! She grew up all over the world, got her Bachelor's degree at Wellesley College and did her Masters in Education at Harvard University (these days, the diplomas on her wall mostly serve as visual aids when she's trying to convince her all-too-smart teenagers that she DOES know a thing or two!). She went on to design and implement enrichment programs for kids and training programs for teachers. But it was only after she finally found her Mr. Right, Jared, and had five children in five years, that her education and work experience began in earnest!

When she's not trying to answer five - or six - different needs and questions at once, she works on this website (she's Co-Director and Co-Founder of Power of Moms).

She currently lives in Ogden, Utah and loves reading, hiking, and biking with her family (or by herself when possible!). She often struggles with balance but finds joy in being involved in many things that are meaningful to her.

Comments

lyndsey says

August 9, 2017 at 3:02 pm

loved this one. and eliza you were great! so well spoken and accomplished. hope my little kids turn out like you one day. 🙂

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Allison says

August 10, 2017 at 7:52 am

I really loved this podcast today…and needed it. Contemplating not putting my son in soccer for the third year because it’s a lot of work and not much fun for anyone. My daughter is only four and I will probably try and put her in soccer next year so for now, I am happy we will have Saturdays free to hike or explore or do housework together. This podcast reaffirmed that!

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Laurie Webster says

August 10, 2017 at 1:34 pm

I enjoyed your episode! You are darling Eliza! Some of my thoughts: over the years we have spent a lot of time deliberating about extracurricular and here are some of the questions that have helped us make better decisions.
1. What are the short and long term benefits of this experience?
2. What does this experience require me or my family to give up?
3. What are the pros and cons related to this activity (there are always pros and cons) in the present and often as the sport or activity develops?
4. Is this activity in sync with our family mission statement and family values (kind of thinking along the lines of begin with the end in mind).
5. Will this activity be one the individual or our family can enjoy far into the future or is it limited to childhood?
6. What qualities and personality characteristics can this activity help our child develop.
As we go through these questions we consider cost, risk of injury, long term benefits (such as balance, coordinations, and flexibility), transportation time, how will our child benefit from time with this particular coach or teacher, extra expenses like traveling, and so much more. Some sports pave the way for other sports over the years. In the long term I hope my kids become fit adults with active lifestyles and so we consider whether a particular sport has the potential to increase or decrease that likelihood in years to come. I think often about the adults I know who reap the benefits of an active lifestyle and what that looks like. The majority of fit adults I know either run, swim, bike, hike, or participate in fitness programs or classes at a gym and so we try to make sure our kids have at least some exposure to these activities so when they are grown up and may not have access to a hoop or team or rink etc they have some experience what fitness commonly looks like as an adult. I also think exposure to music is a great benefit even if the child does not end up excelling or enjoying it. Some things are worth the cost to learn even for a basic understanding (however this is probably not worth a long term parenting struggle for sure). Our families success with music seems to stem from children practicing in the morning. Now I am rambling- I just thought I would share a little of what we have considered when making small and sometimes huge decisions regarding extracurricular activities.

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