It all started with swimming lessons. After a frantic dash to the community center with our four kids on a Monday evening, I found myself wrestling with a curious toddler eager to explore and an adventurous 2-year-old who had a knack for dashing off when I least expected it. Let’s just say, managing kids at the pool is no small feat.
Post-lesson, we crammed into a tiny changing room where I was frantically urging my 5-year-old twins to hurry up. By the time we reached the car, I was a bundle of nerves, the babies were cranky, and my older kids were frustrated with my constant reminders to speed things along. That was it—I realized we couldn’t maintain this frantic pace any longer.
That year, my husband and I took on the role of foster parents, adding two more little ones to our family. Suddenly, our calendar was packed with activities like swimming lessons, tee-ball practices, and gymnastics—all while juggling the needs of our busy household. Managing multiple schedules became a juggling act, and I felt the weight of it all.
In today’s world, it’s common for families with kids to be constantly on the go. We often end up carpooling, coordinating schedules, and planning outings weeks in advance. While we want our kids to be engaged and explore their interests, I started to question whether this was the life we truly wanted.
That fateful Monday afternoon, as I struggled to buckle the kids into their car seats after swimming, I knew we needed to reassess our commitments. My husband and I discussed it and decided to take a break from all extracurricular activities. We finally had time to breathe. Our weekdays were free, and our weekends opened up. The stress began to melt away, and it became clear that we needed to adapt our lifestyle to accommodate our new family dynamic.
When spring arrived, each child chose one activity that required only a single weekly commitment, preferably on a Saturday. Our daughter opted for cheerleading, our son chose soccer, and we signed them up for swimming. And that was it! One commitment during the week and a couple of weekend activities. This approach has worked wonderfully for us over the past few years.
Though this lifestyle may not suit everyone, it has brought us joy. It’s about recognizing that we have choices. If a busy schedule fuels your energy, go for it! But if you feel overwhelmed, know that there’s another way. Our children are social and happy, and we now only have one evening commitment each week. Our family time is richer, allowing for gym visits, impromptu playdates, and relaxed evenings.
Sure, there may be skills our kids miss out on, and they might wish we had pursued different paths in the future. However, I want them to cherish the memories of quality time spent together, the freedom of unstructured weekends, and the comfort of coming home without a packed agenda. I envision them inviting friends over spontaneously, enjoying family dinners, or playing cards without a care in the world.
There’s plenty of time for a busy life down the road. For now, let’s relish the moments we have together.
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In summary, slowing down our family life has allowed us to focus on what truly matters—time spent together as a family.