helping them find their way & a fall sneak peek from John Wind

 

i think one of the most challenging aspects of parenting

is helping our children find their way through the maze of  opportunities

both afforded in academics and in extra curricular activities.

finding their 'thing' if you will

& yet not overcrowding their schedule.

if anything, i've always leaned a little more towards

the 'let's not overdo it' end of the continuum.

especially when they were younger.

in fact i vividly remember the days when the girl's schedule & obligations

ended by 5

dinner before 6

& baths and books read by 7

& lights out by 8.

i remember seeing families with older children and wondering

how on earth dinner schedules had gotten so wonky

& maybe just maybe

even criticizing ( in my mind. quietly) choices that seemed

to make their children appear over scheduled.

yeah. i learned quickly the reality of life with multiple children

in various sports and activities.

 sports are so much more intense & competitive now than when i was growing up.

little girls are shuffled into gymnastics and ballet at age 3.

if they have talent or natural abilities

placed on , or encouraged to join,a competition squad or company by age 10 with classes 5 days per week.

travel ball. tennis. they're all like that.

our community is a very competitive one regarding sports.

to play recreation soccer or take dance just to take a dance class is almost 

unheard of.

dan & i

desire for our girls to find something they love

& if it's something in which they excel

well that's icing on the cake!

trying to balance their 'thing' with rigorous academics

is a whole new ballgame.

so fastforward to caroline.

she danced when she was 3 for a season.

she also took a tumble class.

nothing crazy just a little something to do.

& honestly, being the 4th of 4

i didn't go overboard with her schedule.

she began to dance again last september.

she is a natural in dance.

 she is a natural with tumbling.

she loves both. intensely loves both

she also has a very rigorous school schedule with every academic

being an advanced class.

throw in the middle school program at our church

which we value very highly

she is packed out.

i wish her homework schedule was lighter.

i love when little ones especially can come home & just play

after being in class for seven  hours.

however,  we're also seeing the benefits of hard work & rigorous academics

as savannah attends a college whose admissions alone was competitive

she has academic scholarships & is in the honor program.

anyways

not trying to stir up everyone's views on education & extra curriculars

just journaling my thoughts on decision making.

i know it's completely different for each child.

not knowing whether this 'thing' is something that they will love for years.

something that besides the obvious benefits of the particular sport,

an opportunity where they learn leadership, commitment, how to work well with others.

 just to name a few.

or 

is it something that will overwhelm them with expectations.etc.

sports, academics, homeschool/private/public

all aspects of parenting where we can easily judge others 

who may be doing things differently.

i don't have a clean cut template for this one.

i don't think there is such a thing.

over here, we're just trying to do the next best thing

for each of our girls, individually

& taking it one year at a time. 

all the while, planning for the future
yet

enjoying and making the most of the
today.

 

madison danced for 11 years.

dance has been a sweet connection for them

 

madison is modeling several pieces of John Wind

& featuring a piece from the new equestrian line

soon to be released from John Wind. 

another fabulous piece of modern vintage glam!

follow John Wind Maximal Art on facebook

& twitter

be sure to check their retail website in the coming weeks

as they receive a fashion makeover!

 

 (image from john wind)