22/08/2021
Like most things in life, we often don't appreciate the value of something until it's gone. Childhood is one of those things. And it’s coming under increasing pressure. To be scheduled, outsourced, enriched.
We rationalise that if starting soccer at five years of age is a good idea, then starting at two must be even better. That enrolling our children in art class is more productive than drawing with chalk on the driveway. That playing in a baseball team hones skills more effectively than casually hitting a ball at the park on sunday afternoon with a group of friends and made up rules. We’re wrong.
We need to give our kids the space and freedom that a simple childhood provides and then support them by making opportunities available when they show an interest. We need to release the pressure, guilt and obligation we put on ourselves to give our children more than they need; organised activities can be wonderful, but it’s healthiest as an a-la-carte experience not an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Of all the elements of simplifying childhood that I’ve written about, simplifying schedules seems to be the one that causes the most controversy. Yet, it’s a relatively easy thing to do. It’s as simple as paring back, being mindful, choosing our YES’s and NO’s wisely. I think what stops us from simplifying is fear.
Fear of missing out. Fear that we may be impeding our children’s future success. Fear of what others may think.
It takes a leap of faith and a brave parent to trust that simplifying our children’s lives and giving them downtime to play, connect with their families and create simple joy is what our kids really need. To truly BE with them, not just DOING things for them.
Our kids don’t need to be enrolled, entertained, scheduled, supervised, coached, or assessed in an adult-directed activity to be happy. While busyness may have been glorified in our culture, it is not a badge of honour and we need to prevent it from stealing our kids' childhoods.
So, let’s give our kids the space to be unbusy. Let’s unschedule. Let’s “miss out”. Let’s hold the space for childhood. Because childhood isn’t a dress rehearsal for adulthood. 🌿
Blessed Sunday K’sters😘
