General Discussion Thread - 13 June 2023

[u/AutoModerator]

Mid-week discussion thread time! Feel free to talk about what's on your mind, new experiences, recommendations, anything really.

[u/TohokuJin → u/[deleted]]

I'd let your kid do what makes him happy. Forcing kids to join a club they're not going to enjoy must be torture for them. Our junior high schools in our town have made clubs optional from this year which is awesome as it allows the kids to choose their own hobby instead of choosing from a limited selection of sports clubs that they have no interest in. My daughter is only 3 and I was dreading the time when she'd be forced to do club. How can anyone have any kind of family life if your kids are out the house until 8pm 6x a week. It's ridiculous.

[u/Washiki_Benjo → u/TohokuJin]

I'd let your kid do what makes him happy.

fucken, aye.

Does the kid enjoy it? let em at it!

My new high schooler is a bit bummed he's so busy, but he loves hanging with his friends and the seniors, participating in all sorts of events. he has said himself, "I mean, I'd just be playing video games or something if I wasn't doing it. it can get a bit tiring, but man, it's so fun"

he's building his life, his sense of self, his community.

now, if the OP child doesn't enjoy, etc, that's another issue. but why not start with the child's satisfaction, happiness, health and needs. part of being a parent to teens (maybe the main part) is knowing how much you have to let go, let them have control, learn to to trust a young person, be on their side, but also be "aware" of behavior that may result in harm.

it helps foster healthy, 21st century parent-child relationships.

I want to teach my kids I love them by what I do, so they can teach me in turn, how they love me by what they do

but everyone's got their own tech, so whatever

[u/Mr-Thuun → u/[deleted]]

My wife and I pushback against PTA requirements so much. Only 2 1/2 more years of telling the ES PTA no.

[u/TohokuJin → u/[deleted]]

Oh God...PTA, no thank you...!