Busy does not mean productive. Busy does not mean importance. Busy does not mean a good education. We often busy our schedules and our children’s schedules so we feel like productive families who are preparing our children for the demands of the future. We busy ourselves so much there is no time for family. Spending time as a family to instruct our children is our primary purpose along with growing Godly children.
After signing up my preschooler for swimming, gymnastics, and homeschool co-op, with plans for the next semester, I began to wonder if I was getting too involved in activities. All the kids were signed up for several activities. Days were spent running from one thing to the other. Every week night, save Fridays, we had an activity. Friday during the day we had an activity along with a few other days of the week. I was getting exhausted and longed for a day to be home just to play some board games or even sit and watch a movie with my kids. After a while we were all getting exhausted. We were spending all our time together in some capacity but only by proximity. At some point the madness had to end. We had to cut out the fat, but where to begin?
If something does not profit your child. If something does not profit your family. If something does not further the kingdom. If something does not enhance education or character then do not be afraid to cut it out. Children need family time more than activities. It’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to take time off of outside activities. In fact, it may be the best thing for your family. Family life is not a sprint but a marathon…let’s not rush it..the preschool years end too quickly as it is.