How much is too much?

So I’ve been reading in the news about the idea being put forward for longer school days to allow parents to work without child care and also to educate and guide children better.

I can relate to some of the issues raised but I know for me there is no chance. If this became manatory I would be homeschooling my girls for sure.

Only a few days ago I had a conversation with my youngest about slowing down. She is a member of three sports teams a choir and theatre group. She also undertakes a singing lesson and extra literature credits and that’s before church group and church youth.

I barely get to see her in the week by the time she returns from school she eats her dinner and is off to another activity only to come home shower and bed.

Now many will tell me she is living a very fulfilling life and is lucky to be able to access all these opportunities but personally I think she is doing too much.

In fact I feel so strongly about it that we had a discussion about only doing what we really enjoy and not signing up just because a teacher asked her to.

Well the chat didn’t go so well but she did confess she was rather tired and agreed to think hard on it for me.

What is too much though?

Isn’t five hours a day at school enough? Then of course you add in the other hour of homework when are kids supposed to get down time?

I don’t want my daughter to feel tired and stressed all the time. I want her to have time to read, chill and just relax.