Maybe You Should Learn to Relax!
These days, many parents push their children into learning more skills. They believe it helps their kids to better compete in life. However, such a busy life can place great pressure on students.
The Taylors are a typical American family. Life for Cathy Taylor's three children is very busy. "On most days after school," Cathy says, "I take one of my two boys to basketball practice and my daughter to football training. Then I have to take my other son to piano lessons. Maybe I could cut out a few of their activities, but I believe these activities are important for my children's future. I really want them to be successful." However, the tired children don't get home until after 7:00 p.m. They have a quick dinner, and then it's time for homework.
Linda Miller, a mother of three, knows all about such stress. "In some families, competition starts very young and continues until the kids get older," she says. "Mothers send their small kids to all kinds of classes. And they are always comparing them with other children. It's crazy. I don't think that's fair. Why don't they just let their kids be kids? People shouldn't push their kids so hard."
Doctors say too much pressure is not good for a child's development. Dr. Alice Green says all these activities can cause a lot of stress for children. "Kids should have time to relax and think of themselves, too. Although it's normal to want successful children, it's even more important to have happy children."
