Then there’s the comparison to other children and the fear of their own kids falling behind, adding even more pressure to participate. Kodi Brown, M.Ed., Ed.S., a behavior specialist and parent educator, says today’s families are facing a different kind of pressure than previous generations. “There is now enormous cultural pressure to ensure children are constantly engaged in sports, tutoring, extracurriculars, and enrichment programs,” she explains. “Parents often fear that if their child slows down, they may fall behind socially, academically, or developmentally.” Shelton shares that most parents do feel that pressure. “There’s the feeling that, ‘If I don't put them in the club sport and they don’t get that training, will they make the middle school or the high school team? Are they going to be as prepared as their friends?’ That’s a giant guess we’re making sometimes. You don’t want your kid to show up and not be ready, but looking back now, there are God-given talents some kids are going to have regardless of elite training, and so they're going to have that edge on your kid no matter what you do with your kid.” At the heart of it, most parents say yes to activities because they don’t want their children to miss out on opportunities, and they’re making those decisions with good intentions. WHEN BUSY BECOMES TOO MUCH Local mom of four Scarlett Pourciau’s children are involved in a variety of sports and activi- ties. She encourages families to be intentional about the activities they choose, trying new things while also “protecting the schedule.” When the busyness becomes too much for children, the signs are clear. She’s seen it in her own home through tears and tempers. According to Brown, “Children respond to overload in very different ways. Some children become emotionally explosive, while others completely shut down.” Brown shares some common signs to look for: meltdowns over seemingly small situations; increased irritability or emotional sensitivity; frequent frustration or anger; withdrawal or emotional shutdown; diffi- culty transitioning between activities; sleep problems or exhaustion; increased anxiety or perfectionism; complaints of headaches or stomachaches; loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed; and resistance to attend- ing practices, lessons, or events
The Overscheduled Childhood
Are We Raising Successful Kids or Stressed Out Ones? BY AMANDA MILLER | PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2025–26 COVER KID MADELINE F.
B rrring! That’s the sound of the school bell ringing, signaling the end of the school day. But for many students, it’s only the beginning of a marathon of after-school activities, sports, and enrichment programs—not to mention squeezing in homework, dinner, showers, and a full eight hours of sleep before doing it all over again the next day. This is what modern childhood looks like: jam-packed, fast-moving, and exhausting. It’s teaching them discipline, teamwork, and life skills. But it also leads us to one important question: Are we actually raising successful children, or simply stressing them out? CHILDHOOD ON A SCHEDULE Today’s children have access to a myriad of extracurricular activities. From sports and the arts to educational opportunities and school clubs, their schedules are often a beast to manage. For some families, those busy afternoons and weekends consist of baseball, basketball,
dance, cheerleading, theatre, and more, along with the countless hours of practice needed to thrive in those chosen activities. Did we mention game times too? These packed schedules create nonstop busyness and often leave families juggling unpredictable days. Michelle Shelton, a local mom of three, shares that her family doesn’t have a typical week. “It depends on what sport is in season and what activity is going on. Then you shift to the summer schedule, which can be just as crazy as to who’s going when and where. If I was going to describe a typical week, it’s a lot of activity,” she says. WHY PARENTS SAY YES There are several benefits to participating in these activities, from developing time man- agement and prioritization skills to learning teamwork. Many parents see these activities as valuable opportunities for their children to build character and grow into more well-rounded individuals.
THE ROLE OF BOREDOM & UNSTRUCTURED TIME
28 AUGUST 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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