Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Overscheduling

The year that I coached Destination Imagination (formerly Odyssey of the Mind in these parts) was our worst in terms of being over-scheduled. I co-coached then DD9's team. We met after school at my co-coach's house. Although it was a friendly atmosphere for my 2 younger DCs, it was another day out of the house for them after school. It turned out to be a huge negative for then DD7 who was struggling due to some 2e issues that we hadn't identified at that point.

I guess I would caution that coaching DI is a huge commitment and to consider your other kids (if applicable). Ideally, I would recommend recruiting your own team so you have an idea what kind of behavioral issues may be present and whether the group has the desire to work together. I also would find out what level of support is offered by your school to the coaches. I previously had coached at the K-2 level and did not find it to be as onerous as the 3-6 level.

From the posts above, overscheduling seems to be partly defined by how much the parent has to schlep around. If I had 2, I couldn't have DD in the programs she is in.

There was a mother of one of DD's classmates last year who is a ped GI. She works at a hospital one hour away and has 4 children. We were on a field trip together and talking about activies. Their piano practice was limited to 15 minutes because that is what she could help them do. DD does scales for 15 minutes. She has to do them all then contrary.

So it also depends how much time the parent can give to activities.