In Search of the Perfect After-School Activity

I made a real effort last school holidays not to overwhelm my daughter with planned activities.

Kids need time to be kids. They need to be able to just muck around in the backyard, play at the local park, invent games with friends and – yes, I admit it – slouch in front of the television.

The school terms are busy. Children often come home far more intellectually stimulated than we were in my primary school days.

And then most are so busy with extra-curricular activities as well. It’s hard to know how much is too much.

Having said that, it is important for children to have at least one activity (as well as swimming, which is not up for discussion) outside school. I like the idea of children having a different circle of friends and exploring new talents and skills.

But we’ve been having difficulty finding the ‘right’ one for our seven-year-old, Sophie. Nothing has quite fitted yet.

All around me, other children race off to piano, flute and cello lessons, martial arts classes, drama and dance groups and junior athletics, tennis, footy, soccer, netball and cricket programs.

We’ve tried gymnastics – a carryover from kindergarten that just was a bit too far from home and too tiring in Prep last year. So that was dropped.

We gave the terrific Auskick program a go. Sophie likes footy (despite supporting Richmond) and we thought it would be fun to do a ‘non-girly’ sport. Not, as it turned out, when she was one of three girls among about 50 boys.

My nieces, who live in Ocean Grove, loved Nippers (junior lifesaving) when they were younger. So we headed to our local beach last summer. We were unlucky to cop a few really chilly Sunday mornings, which deterred Sophie from the idea. Not even a sizzling sausage afterwards could convince our girl to hit the sand and water. She curls her lip in distaste when I suggest it for this summer.

Jazz ballet was next.  She loves dancing at home, I reasoned. But it was a different story at the studio. Strutting around like a junior Lady Ga Ga wasn’t really her thing (which didn’t concern me too much!).

So, am I being a horribly pushy parent or a reasonable one who is just trying to find something my daughter can enjoy outside school? I hope I’m the latter.

Anyway, we think we might have found a good option: Girl Guides. It comes highly recommended and seems a great mix of outdoor activities, community work and good values. And it encourages self-esteem and independence in young girls.

But will she stick with it? I’ll keep you posted!