Well, well, well. Time Magazine is publishing an article that will appear this week summarizing research that (supposedly) found the MORE scheduled our kids, the HAPPIER they are and the stronger their well-being. Hmmm. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a strong believer that kids are indeed happy when they are active and busy (obviously doing productive, healthy things). But I’m a real naysayer about any report that says parents need to micromanage their children’s lives and schedule their every waking hour to assure their mental health and happiness.

I’ll be appearing on the Today Show talking about the study, and giving parents tips including:

1. How to Balance Children’s Activities with Play and Work

2. When To Know Your Child IS Overscheduled

3. When to Know You’re Overscheduled (Don’t forget that one…)

4. How to Choose the Right Kind of Activities For Your Child That Will Nurture Self-Esteem and Well-Being

Hope you tune in! This segmetn should prove to be interesting.

(Now for your Reality Check: Are the activities you’ve set for your child balanced? Does he have active and down time? Time to develop his social and moral intelligence as well as academic? And have you built in time for your child to learn to manage BOREDOM??

One hint is to think “HEART, HEAD, and HANDS.” It will help you find the balance in choosing your child’s activities.

Heart activities are ones your child is passionate about and does with others: friendship clubs, play dates, scouting, youth group, service projects, etc.

Head activities are ones that enhance your child’s academic or cognitive side or special interests: violin lessons, computer, tutoring, chess.

Hand activites are active ones or hobbies or sports or things your child does actively: soccer, gymnastics, karatee, skateboarding.

Now just tally up your child’s activites (structured and unstructured, planned and unplanned by you). How are Hand, Heart and Head activities distributed? Are they balanced or way lop-sided? Do you need to make any changes?

Just a thought!

Michele Borba
www.micheleborba.com