{"id":15505,"date":"2018-01-23T03:13:26","date_gmt":"2018-01-23T01:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/responsive.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents\/?p=15505"},"modified":"2022-08-11T15:42:20","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T13:42:20","slug":"extra-murals-how-to-decide-what-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/activities-and-outings\/extra-murals\/extra-murals-how-to-decide-what-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Extra murals – how to decide what to do"},"content":{"rendered":"

We all want to do the best for our kids.\u00a0 When it comes to their well being and development, this couldn\u2019t be more true.\u00a0 So how do we as parents navigate the issue of extra murals<\/a>?\u00a0 Try everything under the sun or focus on something that your child loves?\u00a0 How would you know what your child loves if you don\u2019t try everything under the sun?<\/p>\n

This is a dilemma I face with my kids. Having the opportunity to engage in extra murals is already a luxury that a lot of parents cannot afford.\u00a0 So I wanted my children to understand that they couldn\u2019t possibly sign up for anything and everything they felt like.\u00a0 We also don\u2019t have enough time in a day to be running to various activities and I don\u2019t have that much chit-chat in me either! (Sometimes talking to too many mums while waiting for your child can make you doubt your capabilities as a parent!)\u00a0 So we came up with a solution and here it is\u2026<\/p>\n

Each of my 3 kids had to learn how to swim<\/a>.\u00a0 This was non-negotiable as swimming is a very important life skill \u2013 I would know because I\u2019ve never learned how to swim.\u00a0 They each went to swimming lessons and when they were water safe and good enough swimmers, they stopped.\u00a0 My daughter is 7 and still goes for swimming lessons.\u00a0 Neither of my boys showed any inclination to becoming Olympic swimmers so we ended their lessons, if they did, we may have continued.\u00a0 Over and above the swimming, they each are allowed 1 other extra mural of their choice.<\/p>\n

What else to consider:<\/h2>\n

Is it something my child is interested in?<\/h3>\n

This is most important \u2013 it shouldn\u2019t be something that I want for them, it must be something they have a keen interest in as well.<\/p>\n

How much time does the extra mural involve?<\/h3>\n

It shouldn\u2019t be at the expense of homework or studies<\/p>\n

What do you need to purchase for the extra mural?<\/h3>\n

Is it too costly or can you manage it easily.<\/p>\n

How far away is the venue for the extra mural?<\/h3>\n

My daughter would love to take horse riding lessons but most venues are quite far from home. I\u2019m not sure we could make it in time and back home in less than 2 hours which is a lot of time considering all the other things we need to do each day.<\/p>\n

Is it a team sport or activity?<\/h3>\n

Some kids aren\u2019t team players and may not do well at team sports.\u00a0 On the other hand, doing that may teach them to become team players which is also a life skill.<\/p>\n

What are the benefits of the extra mural you\u2019re considering?<\/h3>\n

Is it solely for enjoyment or are there other advantages as well.<\/p>\n

This did mean that we had a bit of trying out to start with.\u00a0 For my eldest though, he is a big soccer fan<\/a> so this choice was easy.\u00a0 Not only does he love watching the game but he enjoys the training as well as matches of his own.\u00a0 Training is also in the evening which means it\u2019s convenient for me to drop him off and get his dad to pick him up.\u00a0 Games are on the weekend which means that we don\u2019t get to sleep in when he\u2019s playing but seeing how much he loves it makes it worth it.\u00a0 My other son, having being diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago, led us to trying to find activities that would stimulate him and release his energy.\u00a0 Also something that would help him focus, concentrate and develop his muscle tone.\u00a0 Karate<\/a> was not something he enjoyed although the benefits of martial arts are great for kids with ADHD.<\/p>\n

We then tried gymnastics with him and he likes it.\u00a0 Not only does he get to jump around but as he\u2019s gotten older, the training now includes fitness exercises that are good for him too.\u00a0 (After a long holiday away, his abs were sore!)\u00a0 I definitely think gymnastics <\/a>helps him with muscle tone and control.\u00a0 I guess musical extra murals<\/a> would help him too but he\u2019s never really shown an interest in making music of his own so we never explored those options.\u00a0 My daughter has tried gymnastics and was really good at it.\u00a0 She now wants to explore the world of ballet<\/a> and her school offers it so we enrol her for it because it would fit into her school day.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d say my main considerations are cost and time.\u00a0 If we do too much we all become moody and tired and it stops being fun.\u00a0 I\u2019d like them each to stick to something for long enough to master it and so that they realise that once you\u2019ve made a choice, you need to see it through.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to find extra murals in Gauteng<\/p>\n

This article was originally written for Jozikids by Fatima Kazee in 2018.<\/em><\/p>\n

Note: If you enjoyed this article, and would like to stay updated with more, you can:<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n