As your child heads back to school, her calendar is probably quickly filling up with school activities, sport practices and games, and that doesn't even include her social calendar or time spent on homework. Most kids these days are being pulled in a hundred different directions and always seems to be on the go.
Offering your child many different opportunities and experiences is priceless, but the more activities and responsibilities a child takes on, the more likely things will be left undone or done poorly.
Your child will be much happier, confident and less stressed out when she makes the decision to prioritize her activities and let some things go. In order to excel in a particular area your child may have to make some tough choices. Trying to do everything may be a recipe for mediocrity.
I relieved myself of several unrealistic expectations and subsequent guilt the day that I realized the expression, "You can have it all," is a myth. I realized that I can only keep so many balls in the air at one time and if I get overzealous and add too many, they all come crashing down. Gravity gets me every time!
Before the 2004 Olympic Games I gave a talk to a church group. During the question and answer time a woman raised her hand and praised me for being able to juggle my cycling career, marriage, job, travel and my responsibilities at home. She wondered if I had any tips and suggestions on how they could do the same.
I looked at her and chuckled a bit as I explained that I didn't always juggle it all very well and that something always had to give. I could train, travel, race, work, and spend time with my husband, but I hadn't dusted in a month, there was a pile of undone laundry on my floor, and I hadn't seen my friends in months. She looked a bit horrified by my answer, but that was the simple truth. (Hopefully this won't fuel your child's argument against cleaning her room.) In order to be successful, your child will have to make the choice to focus her time and energy on what is most important to her and subsequently make sacrifices elsewhere.
Teaching your children to prioritize her activities and responsibilities at a young age is important. It will help ensure that she is spending her precious time on things that matter to her and help her to find success.
Links:
[1] https://www.momsteam.com/node/2934
[2] https://www.momsteam.com/sports/goal-setting-tips-for-children-parents-role
[3] https://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/balancing-sports-and-family-13-tips-for-parents
[4] https://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/survival-skills/balancing-sports-family/balancing-sports-with-family-a-high-wir