How do we maximize our children’s after school time in a family of working adults with long hours?
In a family of two working parents with long hours, a frequent concern is what the kids are doing in their after-school time. Aside from enrichment classes, co-curricular activities and daycare, after-school hours spent at home (if you’re blessed with live-in help) are a great opportunity to keep your child motivated. While some parents set a daily routine of structured activities, others see non-school hours as a time for free play and relaxation. What do you think?
We posed this question to our special guest members of the HoneyKids Parents’ Panel, from XCL World Academy (formerly known as GEMS World Academy Singapore):
“How do you maximize your child’s after-school time? Have you devised a scheduled plan to be used for enhancing your child’s education and creativity? Or do you prefer that they use this time for free play?”
“When the kids were between the ages of five and seven, I organised a basic schedule of non-academic activities that could be overseen by my helper or myself. I tried as much as possible to lean on after-school activities so my daughter could build greater bonds with her school friends rather than move through numerous new environments. As my daughter got older, I mixed structured activities with plenty of free time to ‘do her own thing’ (usually ‘play dates’ with friends). In terms of organised programmes, it’s crucial not to overschedule your child or make them attend activities they aren’t really keen on. The ECAs at GEMS have proved invaluable to this strategy – my daughter has found plenty of opportunities to try things she is really interested in like rock climbing to football, pop band to video making.”
– Meera George Harvey, Singaporean with one child
“When the kids were younger, we had a helper and we devised plans for the kids to be involved in school time activities. We put the kids into sports activities and music lessons and were usually involved in an activity four out of the five school days.”
– Ady Yatim, Indonesian with two children
“I have been very fortunate, as part of after school supervision is shared between my husband and our helper. As we are both working parents, we have a scheduled plan for after school which comprises of tea-time when he gets home, homework, an hour or so of play time with friends, followed by violin practice, more play time, dinner, a bit of TV, reading and then bedtime. We are firm believers of scheduling our son’s time. He thrives with routine and we hope as he grows older, he’ll be able to embrace this on his own.”
– Sarah Verriest, Australian with one child.
“I am a working parent with a helper although she doesn’t get involved with the children’s after-school activities or homework. My children are older and can be trusted to do their homework on their own. I always ask to see their homework and make sure they are on top of everything. I’m a strong believer in them not really having more than one hour of homework on a week night and would choose for their weekends to be homework free!”
–Vanessa Errington, British with two children
“It is common practice to hire a helper to support them when both parents are working, but helpers can only support them and not take the full responsibility for the kids. It is the parents’ responsibility to monitor the kids’ education and enrichment activities to build values, character, and creative skills.”
– Peter Divaker, Indian with two kids
This post is sponsored by XCL World Academy (formerly known as GEMS World Academy Singapore)