Overscheduled family in 3...2...1

[GeekMom]

I was sitting 2 seats in front of 2 women I know on the train today. Their kids are both in 3rd grade at the same school as my kids. I overheard their conversation (hard not to - one of the moms has one of those REALLY LOUD VOICES. Like the woman whispers at 685 decibels. But I digress.)

Anyhow, loud woman said the following:

"My son is playing soccer because my husband's the coach, and he's also on that travel hockey team. But he really wants to do baseball too, so we're going to go for it. It's going to add up to 4 practices and 3 games a week. I just wonder if it's going to be too much."

 

So, you are pretty much committing to being in one or more sports every day of the week, on top of your work, husband's work, and older daughter's activities as well, and you are wondering if this is going to be too much to handle? Not to mention 3rd grade homework, the MCAS coming up for the third graders, and other assorted school stuff.

Better you than me, honey. I got tired just listening to it.

[BPE]

My neighbors do the same thing. I don't know how they handle it. I'd go crazy. 

[GeekMom]

I mean, I get it. Some kids are into sports, and some kids are really good at sports. Sports is their thing.

But at some point, ya just gotta say no. 3 different sports at the same time? The money involved? The driving? The potential for overuse injuries (this kid just turned 9 for heaven's sake)? It's just crazy.

[Monica]

Anyhow, loud woman said the following:

"My son is playing soccer because my husband's the coach, and he's also on that travel hockey team. But he really wants to do baseball too, so we're going to go for it. It's going to add up to 4 practices and 3 games a week. I just wonder if it's going to be too much."

 

You think.  That is nuts.

[Fruity]

Is she really naturally loud or is she one of those people who don't-want-others-to-hear-their-conversation-but-really-they-talk-so-damn-loud-you-can't-help-but-overhear-how-freaking-fantastic-they-are?

[GeekMom]

Is she really naturally loud or is she one of those people who don't-want-others-to-hear-their-conversation-but-really-they-talk-so-damn-loud-you-can't-help-but-overhear-how-freaking-fantastic-they-are?

Both. I mean, she seems to have one volume: LOUD. She also just thinks that her kids are endlessly fascinating and don't you want to hear about everything little Buford and Brittanee are doing??? You can barely get a word in edgewise with this woman.

I don't particularly care for her. I used to be in a scrapbooking club she was in. But she would let her whiney daughter join in on what clearly was supposed to be a mom's scrapbooking night, not a "I'm going to bond with my daughter and you can watch" night. Blah. I stopped going after two meetings because it was so obnoxious.

[Mtlchick26]

You think that's bad? Some chick at work has a 5 year old. Her kid is in swimming, dancing, and karate....all on the WEEKEND!! How the F do you cram all that shit into 2 days? Plus she was thinking of adding in another thing...whaaa? THEN she had the nerve to complain that all she spends her weekends doing is driving around to these things. I had a very simple solution to that problem but I kept my mouth shut.

[ronin]

Ugh.  Hubby and I have already set a "one activity at a time" rule.  C is still a year and 1/2 from Kindergarten. 

[GeekMom]

You think that's bad? Some chick at work has a 5 year old. Her kid is in swimming, dancing, and karate....all on the WEEKEND!! How the F do you cram all that shit into 2 days? Plus she was thinking of adding in another thing...whaaa? THEN she had the nerve to complain that all she spends her weekends doing is driving around to these things. I had a very simple solution to that problem but I kept my mouth shut.

Our town is riddled with folks like this. The idea of unscheduled time just sends them into a tizzy. Most of these families have kids who are in daycare until 6 every day since they both work. Then they worry that their kids are missing out on activities so they pack the weekend full. But really, the kids would probably rather just have some down time on the weekend with mom and dad...

[TypeA]

I have neighbors like that, except it is with both kids.  Funny thing is, I said to the 4th grader the other day that it's been nice seeing him around the neighborhood, and he said, "Yeah, I was getting burned out.  I dropped out of baseball."