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6 signs your child's schedule has become too hard to handle Some children thrive with a schedule full of afterschool activities while other children may feel stressed out and overwhelmed by a jam packed afterschool schedule. Well-meaning parents can push kids too hard to join the glee club, try out for the baseball team and take on vocal lessons three nights a week. It's important for parents to stop for a moment and ask if they are really packing their child's schedule for the good of the child or if they are trying to make up for their own lost childhood opportunities. How do you know your child is on extracurricular overload? Here are some red flags to look for in your child. If you notice any of these characteristics forming in your child, you should reevaluate your child's schedule: Your child is irritable. Your child is exhausted most of the time. Your child's grades drop. Your child doesn't want to go to afterschool activities. Your child has frequent psychosomatic complaints such as headaches or stomach aches. Your child's schoolwork begins to suffer Your child doesn't have enough time for homework. lessons every day. For the sports star, a fun science-related program at a local Mad Science program could expand her horizons. Give her other options and encourage other interests so she doesn't feel pressure to be perfect in one subject area. Join a trial class Roberta Cruse-Fordham of Sports, Fitness and Fun in Florida believes trial classes are a great way to find out which activities your child will be happy participating in. If trial classes aren't an option, CruseFordham suggests visiting a potential program while it is in session so you and your child can get a true picture of the environment, staff and the activities involved with the program. Local fitness enrichment programs offer a wide range of after (Continued on Page 12) HVParent.com Hudson Valley Parent 11 hudson health plan