Programs for Children?

I've been reading a blog on a consistent basis for a while now and, while I started out as a blog stalker (one who reads and never comments), I seem to have graduated to one who actually participates in the discussion. While Lesley never fails to engage me, yesterday's post was one I felt I had to respond to. And I figured you might be interested in what I thought too! I'm sure not everyone will agree with me but that's not a bad thing. If everyone had the same opinions life would be pretty boring.

So read Lesley's post here, ask yourself what you think about all the programs available for young children and then read my response.

Now that I live in a city where I have the option of various classes for my children, this has become a struggle for me as well. We take full advantage of the free storytimes offered at our library and I take them to the pool as a treat every few weeks - partly for something different, partly so they get used to the water and partly so they get wiped out (especially with winter on its way). The thing I have noticed the most, however, is that as much as my kids like activities (of whatever kind) they LOVE the days we stay home and be us. Whether it is playing play-doh, reading books, building a train track or kicking a ball around in the basement, my boys love spending time with me. Those are the days they are the happiest and, coincidentally, I usually am the happiest as well. 

I grew up being allowed to participate in one activity a week; I think a similar rule will be implemented in our house. I do my children no favours by over-programming and over-stimulating them. I agree with previous commenters in that family responsibilities are important - and so is feeling like you have worth in your family. My husband and I are not willing to trade the brief time we have with our kids for the slim chance one of them might be the next hockey wonder. We want them to feel loved and be loved, to feel like part of our family and to be part of our family. They will succeed in life because they will know their value, not because of the classes I put them in when they were 2.

I also think that sometimes classes are used as a crutch - parents not knowing what to do with their kids or how to connect with them - so they enrol them in a program and transfer the responsibility of engaging their children to a "professional". As a parent, you are just as qualified (if not more) to engage your children as the professional you are paying. You know your child the best and it is your attention your child craves. So give them your FULL attention and be prepared to be blown away as you discover the person your child is.

What are your thoughts? Parenting can be a scary undertaking; but it helps to remember that you can do it - and you're not alone. We're all in the same boat, even if the boat doesn't look the same from the outside. I'm always amazed to find out that the things I struggle with are very similar to others' struggles - but first I have to be willing to share what I'm going through which is probably the hardest part to do.

So there. That's my two cents worth. What's yours?