Extra curricular activites - important?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-11-2006
Extra curricular activites - important?
11
Mon, 12-11-2006 - 4:28pm

Does anyone else have bright, seemingly well-adjusted kids who have absolutely no interest in doing anything outside of school? I am not sure if this is really an issue with my kids or if its me making a mountain out of a molehill. Its just that I see other kids doing everything from student council to basketball to ballet lessons and my kids (DS15 and DD13) don't wanna do anything except sit around the house! Both are good students and aren't into drugs or anything (trust me, I would know since they won't leave my side!)and they are good kids at home, but that's about it.

DS has never really been "into" anything and its always been a source of contention. We've tried for years to find something for him to get involved in, and he's "tried" a few sports activities & 4H, but nothing he's stuck with. He does like to ride horses but he won't join an organization or team, so that activity is sporadic even though we have our own horses.

DD was a dancer from ages 3 to 10 (obviously I initiated that). She was great and seemed to love it. She suddenly quit when she started middle school and hasn't picked up another activity since. I've been trying to help her get involved in something else for a couple years now and its like talking to a brick wall. She just wants to sit and draw pictures. According to her everything is weird or boring or she's just not into it. Is this just normal teen angst? It just kills me because I hate to see these kids piddling away they childhood when they could be having so much fun, making new friends, etc.

Thanks for any advice you all might have!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 12:55pm
I think you have the right idea. It's good to help them grow their interests. Continue to encourage them to venture out of their comfort zone. I wish my parents had more strongly encouraged me to engage in more varied pursuits when I was in high school. How about you? My daughter is sometimes reluctant to try new activities outside of her comfort zone but often finds she loves the pursuit after she learns more about it.

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