Signs And Symptoms You’ve Overscheduled Your Kids

Overscheduled-itis (pronounced over-sched-uled-i-tis) is a common syndrome experienced by many families with insanely busy kids. It usually involves rushing around, freaking out, sometimes speeding and, quite possibly, hives.

Overscheduled-itis is not contagious, but may make you unpleasant to be around. The good news is, if caught early, it is completely treatable with some self-care approaches and a good merlot.

Symptoms

You may realize you have developed overscheduled-itis if:

• You arrive at ballet on time — only to realize your child is still at soccer.
• Your child arrives at his violin lesson in his bathing suit and goggles.
• Your kid starts to call the car “home”.
• The Grade 4 orchestra is actually starting to sound not bad.
• You’ve crashed Google Calendar — again.
• Your child can speak four languages, but has no friends.
• You have to explain to your kids the meaning of the word “play”.
• You sleep in the car.
• Your child has a play-date wait list.
• You hope your child catches a cold just to make it all... please... stop!!!

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Causes

Your family may have developed overscheduled-itis because:

• Your kid wants to join everything.
• Your kid doesn’t want to join anything.
• Your friend’s daughter is fluent in French so yours must learn Mandarin.
• You always wanted to learn to play the piano.
• Your child doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up.
• University is really competitive these days.

When To See A Doctor

Seek medical attention immediately if:

• You find yourself starting to think about registering for more activities.
• You start to casually inquire about the best place to sign up for hockey.
• You have had more than 3 speeding tickets this year.
• You find yourself thinking of having another child — just so you can sign up for more things.

Photography by Karuna EM © 123RF.com

Treatment

The treatment for overscheduled-itis varies, depending on how it presents. In addition to the lifestyle and home remedies, most treatment plans include one or more of the following:

• Staying home with your kids and eating ice cream.
• Doing nothing at least twice a week.
• Checking the refund policy on some of your child’s activities.
• Being spontaneous with your children.
• Asking yourself how YOU would like to spend the evening.

Long-Term Prognosis

Overscheduled-itis is a curable condition. If you suffer from this malady, know that, with treatment, most sufferers can go on to enjoy a chill lifestyle, while still helping propel their children to become the successful ballerina, basket ball player, or black belt you dare dream them to be.