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| Mon, 08-20-2007 - 8:00am |
This is about my DS, who is not quite old enough for this board, but since I'm active here, I thought I'd toss this out to you guys and see what you think.
DS is nine and is on the chubby side. He needs to be active, but would rather sit in front of the TV than get out and run around (complete opposite of DD). My boyfriend and I go walking nearly every night after dinner and we always ask the kids to come with us. DD comes about half the time, DS comes very rarely. I've started an incentive chart with him where he can earn stars each time he goes with us (and he can cash those stars in for a special toy, treat etc.). Now he wants to take karate. I LOVE the idea, however, we live in a very small town south of Amarillo. I work in Amarillo and the class that he is the best fit for (and that I can actually afford) is in Amarillo. It starts at 6 and I got permission from my boss to leave by 4:45 on Wednesdays to take him. I went to sign him up online and it's Monday AND Wednesday. Mondays are insane at work, plus now I'm not sure I want to take on that kind of commitment. That means twice a week (and on a day I usually come home and collapse) I have to drive home 20 minutes, feed the kids, get DS changed into his uniform, drive back into town (about 30 min to where the class is) and then hang out there for an hour and a half. I don't feel comfortable leaving DD home alone until 8 on those nights, so she'd be dragged with if my BF can't come over to be with her. What about homework, etc. What about spending time as a family? I know this is important for him and he NEEDS the exercise, but I'm not sure what to do. I know my boss will let me leave early on Monday too if I ask. What would you do?
Melanie
PS The class runs from September - December so if we are going CRAZY from all the running around we're commited for several months.

Ramona Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!
What a great idea--incentive chart!!!!
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What I would do and what you should do are likely different things lol. People think I'm crazy for hauling my oldest 25 minutes to her theatre 5 days a week during rehearsals (though it's only about 8 weeks at a time and we limit the amount of shows she can do.) I spend a lot of time waiting around for my DD with DS in tow. We find productive things to do and he actually enjoys my being a captive audience but it's a lot of hours away from home. Not everyone would do it but, it's the place where DD is most happy. It's where she has high quality friends who adore her and don't care if she's smart, appreciate her wry humor, respect her beliefs, ect. There are closer youth theatres but this one is the best. DS has activities as well but he stays local. He takes Tae Kwon Do but through the community center and only once a week. It takes longer to move up the belts with only 1 practice but it's still educational and enjoyable.
If my child were passionate about it, I would likely do it. My parents did it for me. If they were lack luster, or there was a better program (or at least comparable) I'd do that.
Thank you for all of your responses. Unfortunately the dojos that are close (but not much closer than this place)n charge literally three times the price with half the amount of classes ($75 1x a week for a month vs. $71 for 2x a week for three + months). I don't have the money for that. The Y is not close to me either but they don't have kids' classes other than day care and after school care. This class is offered through the local community college. The class is a set day/time and we don't have the option of going more or less times during the week. I'm concerned about the time commitment, but I got the go ahead from my boss today and literally every mom I asked for advice from at work today said they'd do it. Of course, they all live in town - LOL. We may try it and see what happens. I don't know if it's something he'll be passionate about because he's never done anything like this. He's not a real sporty kid and I'm hoping this will be a good avenue for him. Thanks again!
Melanie
What about using the incentive chart to earn screen time?
I'm the last person to ask advice on for evening activities. The less the better for me. Aly's in a book club that's now once/month (was twice/month) and in Girl Scouts which is twice/month. I'm glad she doesn't do sports/cheering/gym/dance,etc because *I* can't deal with that type of out-of-the-house during-the-week commitment. I work 30 minutes from home, get up at 5ish, and am ready to hit the sack as soon as I get home, but still have school work to do almost every night (somebody's gotta write the lesson plans, prepare the materials, and grade the assignments...lol).
Alysha
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I agree w/ Vicky.
I have a DD, now 11, who was in the same boat. I think we have tried almost every sport you can think of, and I found out that a sport that is not team related works best for her. This is totally oppsite my DS who is a natural athlete and is goos at almost anything he tries, team or not. So, this year, Mon & Wed are DD days and tues and thurs are DS days, and it takes an hour on good days just to get DS to his hockey practices. I find it stressful, and days when either one whines about not wanting to go are the worst, but both never seem to want to leave once they get there. So,I think each has found his/her niche. Hopefully that happens with your DS too.
JuneMarie