I think that *really* depends on the individual child and their personality. I can only speak from my own experience obviously (and you yours) but my kids over the years have had all extremes, from many activities at the same time, to nothing going on, to everything in between. They definately don't need to be 'entertained' and play well on their own and always have, even before we started actitivies/sports/classes.

Man if you are considered cruel then I must just be insanely mean! *Imagination is a MUST in our home...what ever happened to playing with sticks, and trees, and other things found laying in the yard??

My kids don't do any activities....not only because of the time commitment but also the expense * (classes x 4 = broke parents! ). *Any activity that they have done has been educational (after school programs - by choice) or something like swimming lessons ( a mandatory skill IMO).

__________________

we dont have a rule..but dd only does one thing...she cheers....the cost of it is enough....I was making some pumpkin rolls to try to sell to help with the cost because the coach dont know what we are doing...pay out of your pockets or fund raisers...and we know how much we like to do fundraisers now dont we:

__________________
CHOOSE TODAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE!!!

Well even though my kids had tons of activities didn't mean they didn't do imaginative play things. I guess I don't get the parallel between those two. Actually both of my children were very imaginative children. If a child has 98 waking hours per week (7X12) and they're in 15 or 16 hours of scheduled activities, that still leaves 80 hours for imaginative play. And I certainly think activities, sports, music, etc. are better than sitting in front of a TV or video game half the day. I just think if she wants to put her dd in activities, and her dd wants to, and she can afford it, then she should. I don't think there's one rule that fits everyone.

__________________

Melissa, I think, you should weigh the pro's & con's of her being involved in after school activities. Maybe enroll her in a couple of classes after school to participate in, determine the cost for each one, and her particular interest in which ones. I have tried to get my sons interested in activities, most of the time, as they are growing up. I have noticed sports fees per sport in school cost alot for them to participate in per season. I agree, it is important to keep them busy learning & doing things, that will have a positive impact in their lives. JMO

__________________