Full Schedules for Teens

Having a child that thrives in many different areas is probably one of your dreams as a parent. Activities are great for kids. They help teach discipline, responsibility, teamwork and conflict resolution. School sports help kids get exercise, and all after-school activities and clubs look great on college applications. Plus, when you consider the trouble that kids can get into these days, you might be relieved to see that your child's jam-packed schedule doesn't leave him or her a lot of free time to get in trouble. It all sounds pretty great, doesn't it?

The Downside of a Full Schedule

Between soccer practice, drama club and academic decathlon, there is a good possibility that some of your child's needs could get lost in the mix. Partaking in activities is a wonderful thing, and for particularly extroverted teens, a full schedule may be something that fuels their fire. For others, too much pressure and not enough time for rest can lead to an increased risk of disorders like anxiety and depression. The last thing any parent wants is to have to consider putting a teen on medication.

Kids take on too many activities for a variety of reasons, including:

• The need to get into a good college.
• Pressure from parents, friends and other loved ones.
• The hope for popularity.

Living a Balanced Lifestyle

In order to establish what your teen wants out of his or her daily life, you have to develop honest communication and focus on finding balance. This is crucial at any age, but the chaos of the teenage years makes this an especially important time to seek equilibrium. It's good for all children to be challenged, but the type of challenges that are best will depend on their individual personalities. Some children can take on more than others, but all of them need a healthy balance of schoolwork, activities, free time and rest. A healthy nutrition plan can also help busy kids feel energetic and capable. All parents want what's best for their kids, and there are many legitimate reasons to push your children to challenge themselves. You don't want to let a shy, lazy or unmotivated teen sit back and do the minimum throughout his or her high-school years. Finding the balance between pushing too hard and not pushing enough can be hard, but it's your responsibility as a parent. Debra Beck

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