Years ago, I taught a Year 7 student who was one of those cruisy, capable kids who seemed to take everything in her stride. She was calm, happy and generally just got on with things.
One day, she was asked to complete a small task at home that night for a group project, and she completely fell apart.
It took me by surprise because it was so unlike her.
“But I don't have time tonight. I have dance after school. Then tomorrow I have dance and swimming, and then the day after that it's the weekend, so I ski all weekend. And then it's Monday again, and I have...”
Her list went on and on.
I remember standing there thinking, Wow. This kid needs a break.
She had so many opportunities and was doing lots of great things, but there was barely a moment in her week when nothing was expected of her.
I quietly filed that moment away in my memory for the day I might become a parent myself. And when I did, it came back to me. I've always been conscious of how many afternoons we fill for our own girls and have deliberately tried to leave space in their weeks. Not because extracurricular activities are bad. My kids have done plenty of them. But because I learned from that Year 7 girl that even the calm, capable kids can reach their limit.
Children don't only need opportunities.
They need space between the opportunities too.
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About Brain Essentials
Victoria Jenkins is a primary school teacher, author, parent and founder of Brain Essentials, helping parents understand what growing brains actually need. Brain Essentials turns the science of children's brains, behaviour and development into simple, practical tools families can actually use in everyday life. Less parenting noise. More of what matters.