The family CAN provide some stimulation. One of our favorite things to do is "window math" - for some reason, learning new math skills is ten times more fun when it is done in dry erase marker on the back door. We take trips to local historical sites, state parks, etc - and both of the kids have a great time and learn a lot at the same time. But we can't do it all at home. DS7 recently got his black belt in tae kwon do. It gave my normally timid and self-conscious boy something to be really proud of, and there's no way I could have done that at home. I put both of them in team sports (although I let them pick their own sport) to help them learn to work as a team and keep them active. DS7 wants to learn music, and if he's asking, I'm certainly not going to tell him no - we're planning to let him start lessons on some instrument this summer. Plus he has school, Odyssey of the Mind, and other various activities. It's busy, but I also think it's important for him to have some time to just go outside and play with the neighborhood kids. A busy schedule has been good for him - when he has too much free time, he tends to get a little anxious. (He gets that from me - I'm happiest when I'm so busy I'm stressed out of my mind). My point is there's a balance to be found. You can keep them busy without giving them so much to do, they don't have time for friends and fun.
