https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:31:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids/page/2#post-2035620 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 13:10:01 +0000 ValentineMommy 2035620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@farawayviolet: 100% agree. I'd like to expose my kids to many different classes/activities, until they find what they're interested in and what they want to further pursue.</p> <p>I also think swimming is a must. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035538 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:37:22 +0000 aegie 2035538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 2.5 year old so I'm not sure how relevant my answers will be ... but .. I signed her up for Little Gym as a 18 month old last winter because I needed her to have an outlet during the cold months. She loved it. I try to go by her interests. I thought she would like music classes, so I took her to a few free music class introductory classes and she wasn't interested. But she LOVES her ballet classes. When she's a little older, I will probably put her in gymnastics or continue ballet since she loves those activities. Maybe art classes since she's an artsy fartsy crafts girl. Sports? I think I'll let her try a lot of things and see what she's interested in. But I'm probably going to force piano on her just so she can read sheet music. She can quit if she TRULY hates it, but my kid will be able to read sheet music. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035426 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:46:27 +0000 .twist. 2035426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will most likely have activities be mandatory but he can choose whatever he wants to do. </p> <p>I wasn't ever pressured or forced into taking any sort of classes or volunteering or anything. It is one thing I wish my parents would have done for me. I feel like I'm pretty lazy now as a result. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035418 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:40:39 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 2035418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going with the cop-out answer and saying Both. :silly:</p> <p>She's enrolled in swim class right now because I think swimming should be a mandatory skill for safety purposes. I'm glad she loves it!</p> <p>I asked her what she'd like to try next, and threw out some suggestions for her - dance, soccer, gymnastics, art - and she picked gymnastics. So we'll likely give that a shot next, but if she doesn't like it after a season or two we can try something else.</p> <p>Piano and Chinese may be two other mandatory ones eventually. I think kids can grow to love and appreciate classes if encouraged the right way.</p> <p>There are some activities I see more as hobbies, and others I see as skills that should be pursued and honed. I don't know any kid growing up that enjoyed learning Chinese or practicing piano, but parents have foresight that kids don't always have. </p> <p>I just think there should be a balance. I was allowed to give up everything I ever tried, and my maturity levels weren't quite there at the time to understand why certain things would be beneficial for me. I just gave up because I "didn't feel like it anymore" or was lazy and wanted to do other things, like play with my friends or watch tv. For the longest time I was so non-commital about a lot of things - if I came across any challenge I'd just give up. Took awhile to reverse that mindset! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035386 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:25:59 +0000 Greentea 2035386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess I do have some musts! Reading this made me realize that they will have to take swimming. I am not a huge fan of it, but consider it kind of necessary- as a skill for safety (we live on a bunch of lakes and frequent them)- but just the basics- I'll do it with them when little. I'd take language with them as well and music of course (I could teach them almost everything if necessary. I didn't love studying music theory but I could make it fun). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035318 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:54:18 +0000 Rubies 2035318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 is still young so I'm choosing for her to get her out and about with other kids (right now she's doing toddler ballet). Swimming and taekwondo will be musts. She will get to choose what instrument and sport to take. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035300 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:45:20 +0000 stiletto_mom 2035300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Choice within our choices.</p> <p>Swimming (required)<br /> Language (required)<br /> Leadership (required - when they are older)</p> <p>One other sport (their choice)<br /> One self-defense (their choice)<br /> One arts (their choice)</p> <p>The overarching theme is, something active, something useful, something creative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035176 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:00:26 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2035176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: you do realize that is EXACTLY what I said, right? And you just proved yourself wrong?</p> <p>You quoted one line to justify your argument, but if anyone else took the time to read the entire piece they'd understand: at age seven, a catholic child will make his or her reconciliation, which is when we are considered old enough to understand ("reason") right from wrong, and confess our sins. "Innocent" people are those who cannot distinguish right from wrong, and is a term usually reserved for the mentally disabled. </p> <p>In modern time, as the article goes on to explain, it isn't age 7 that is associated with age of reason but puberty - typically age 13, because we are in 8/9 grade when we make confirmation and are seen as adults in the Catholic Church. </p> <p>BOOM, mic drop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035119 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:37:32 +0000 LuLu Mom 2035119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She will pick what she wants to participate in, activities are so pricy, I want to make sure she's doing what she wants to do! We won't force her into things we would like her to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035094 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:27:30 +0000 Skadi 2035094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: The Catholic Encyclopaedia confirms it:</p> <p><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01209a.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01209a.htm</a> </p> <p>It's in the Code of Canon Law.</p> <p> "A minor before the completion of the seventh year is called an infant and is considered not responsible for oneself (non sui compos). With the completion of the seventh year, however, a minor is presumed to have the use of reason." [Catholic Code of Canon Law # 97 §2]</p> <p>Consider yourself schooled. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035071 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:12:16 +0000 Bluebonnet 2035071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When they are older, we'll let them pick. Right now, we pick activities that will be fun and interesting and also teach a skill. </p> <p>Both LOs take a music class to foster a love of music. Both LOs take swim class in the Spring to be confident in the water. LO1 is in gymnastics right now to develop gross motor skills and coordination. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035066 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:09:08 +0000 illumina 2035066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mostly her. Though I imagine in the next couple of years, it'll be more us suggesting activities for her and seeing how she likes them. When she gets older she can do what she likes, as long as it's not expensive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035056 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:04:56 +0000 looch 2035056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think so much of this is child dependent. It's impossible to know how a kid is going to react to something until they are in it. </p> <p>Case in point, we tried soccer last year. It was a bust, so we're not doing it this year. </p> <p>There's also a great podcast from Freakonomics on the Benefits of Quitting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035032 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:43:54 +0000 Dandelion 2035032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kid picks. But they have to follow through. D wanted to play basketball this winter but isn't liking it. He has to finish the season, though, because his teammates need him. He doesn't have to play again next year. He wants to take tae kwon do after the season is over. I will let him explore his interests as much as I can afford it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035028 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:40:38 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2035028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: Wikipedia is wrong in terms of the Catholic Church.</p> <p>The age of reason is when kids can accept holy communion. Innocents are children who are unable to determine right from wrong, ie have mental disability or instability. Please girl, don't school me on Catholicism. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035025 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:38:18 +0000 Skadi 2035025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: According to Wikipedia, the age of reason is also when a a person begins to have moral responsibility (thus why they are able to receive sacraments). Young kids who do not have the use of reason are called "innocents" because of their inability to commit sins: even if their actions are objectively sinful, they lack capacity for subjective guilt. </p> <p>I think until a kid is older--seven or eight or nine--they don't have the reasoning capacity to choose what instrument to learn or weigh the pros and cons of joining in a certain activity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2035013 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:30:21 +0000 mediagirl 2035013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll let her pick but I'll also tell her what I did as a kid and what I enjoyed. I did sports and music as a kid and got to figure out what I liked - I'd like our daughter to do that, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034994 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:15:41 +0000 Mamaof2 2034994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Growing up my mom let us decide and I have all these pics of me in Ballet when I was younger and then it stopped - I asked my mom why and she said "because you didn't want to do it anymore so I took you out!" I was like "what? you should have made me do it!!!" LOL</p> <p>I didn't do anything on my choosing until High School and then became a cheerleader.</p> <p>Then I had kids - I always ask if they want to do something and if they say yes, I sign them up. I do expect them to finish 1 season and after that they can quit.</p> <p>As of now neither of my kids want to do any activities and I am letting them take the lead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034981 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:02:28 +0000 Anagram 2034981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure I'll influence what they pick--or give guidance. I don't think kiddos have the foresight to always know what's best for them in the long run.</p> <p>They will definitely have to learn a musical instrument, but I would let them figure out what they are interested in.</p> <p>They will definitely have to be in some kind of physical activity (martial arts, dance, a sport, whatever).</p> <p>But once they pick an instrument and put a few years into it, I'm going to do everything in my power to get them to continue. I quit piano lessons after 8 years and I sure wish my parents would have switched instructors or something rather than let me quit. I was bored with what I was learning, but I had so much more to learn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034971 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:46:38 +0000 blackbird 2034971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will pick while she's little, until she has an opinion, but a variety. I can already see her having preferences for certain things based on her play. My SIL implements a "new activity every season" (one at a time) to expose them to a variety of stuff. But God please no soccer or dance LOL. But my kids have to do SOMETHING active. If they start something, they have to finish it. I probably wouldn't have ever been interested in softball had my parents not put my brother in it, for example. Sometimes I think parents do have to nudge a little </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034958 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:37:35 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2034958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: pretty sure age of reason refers to receiving Eucharist, not choosing piano over soccer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034935 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:14:41 +0000 Orchid 2034935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband is so happy his parents made him stick with music instruction and I am so sad my parents let me drop it. My stepdaughter has taken piano and violin since 5 and was told she could drop at 9 if she wanted. At 10 now, she loves it and plays for our church if the regular pianist can't be there. She loves to go to class and learn new pieces, sooooo I think I may take the same approach with LO. Swimming skills are also a must. That said, I don't think young kids need to be too involved in structured activity, so probably only 1 thing at a time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034933 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:14:12 +0000 Skadi 2034933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We'll decide. Catholics believe that children reach the age of reason at age seven, and I think there's something to that. Before that, I don't think they know themselves (or the world they live in) enough to decide what they should do.</p> <p>So we'll start activities at four or five, and if at age seven they really seem to dislike it, we'll reevaluate and consider changing. But we're definitely going to encourage them to stick with it even if they feel frustrated or bored. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034927 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:04:23 +0000 artsyfartsy 2034927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan on starting my kids in some sort of physical activity or hobby asap. They will be too young to decide themselves. I want to encourage them to stick to it but if they get older and want to do something else, of course I will support them. </p> <p>My parents didn't push me to do/stick with anything and I wish they had. Especially a sport or physical activity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034909 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 06:23:17 +0000 Bao 2034909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They will pick! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034907 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 06:17:14 +0000 Grace 2034907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd let her pick and maybe make suggestions about what might be fun to try. I agree with Farawayviolot about the swimming - lessons would be mandatory until she learns how to swim decently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034890 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 04:54:50 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2034890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will pick, but she will decide if she wants to continue :happy: She seems to be really active, so we plan on starting her in gymnastics when she's old enough to sign-up. I'd also like to see if she's into ponies and soccer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034889 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 04:32:20 +0000 lamariniere 2034889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: This makes the most sense to me. Parents pick early activities and then kids lead when they have actual interests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034848 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:37:23 +0000 farawayyama 2034848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Generally LO. We will enrol her in different things when she is young, so she can find her niche.</p> <p>The only non-negotiable is swimming lessons. I don't care if she has perfect form or does competitions, but she must have swimming lessons to the point she is a strong, confident swimmer. This to me is a safety requirement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-will-pick-activities-for-your-kids-you-or-your-kids#post-2034811 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:17:26 +0000 jhd 2034811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH feels very strongly that LO be his own person and explore his interests whether they are interests we share/understand or not. We will help him to find things that match his interests and strengths. </p>