NANA SAYS LESS IS MORE FOR SPRING/SUMMER LESSONS

As some sports like hockey lessons and games are coming to an end planning for spring/summer ones such as baseball and soccer begin. Dance and music competitions and examinations are occurring but will stop for the summer. Surviving all the lessons and events in a child's life is the norm for working parents. Being the third generation to have this stress- yes  it is part of the Canadian experience. Are there ways to handle it with less stress, probably not. Just organizing and knowing each activity has a beginning, middle and conclusion. One of my grandsons went to his hockey banquet. I remember my girls' Brownie and Guide banquets at the end of the year. The next two months will be busy then if smart do less over the summer. For example, swimming lessons occur year round but it is just as easy not to have swim lessons in the summer. What did I do? I used to take my girls to the pool, to the lake and other venues where they could practice what they learnt in their lessons. An experiential event rather than forced lessons. If in planned sports such as baseball, make the trips to the games fun and outdoorsy. Maybe a picnic afterwards or a quick trip to a local beach. How to make the time a family time may take some creativity too! Remember we put ourselves on these busy schedules. Music lessons can be lessened with more informal practice time at home. Getting off the treadmill of "busyiness" can take planning. I know some parents think it is a badge of honour to be busier than all the other parents around them! A good thing to do is to ask your child what he or she may want to do. Some kids really like the social aspect of their lessons or sports. Friends are made there too. Coming into the warmer season after this brutal winter could be more relaxing if you let it. Families sure have earned it. So a day at the beach practising all those swimming skills or just floating on a raft down a lazy river can be a learning experience too! Parents give yourself a break!