How Much Scheduling is Too Much for a Kid?

Back in the "old days," kids used to run out the door, ring a few doorbells, and suddenly there was a whole group of kids playing kickball, going for a walk or riding bikes.

Things seem to have changed. It seems kids have many more scheduled events after school and on weekends now. Whether it's sports, dance class, some kind of music or acting lessons or even just a scheduled play date, kids seem to have much more time that's accounted for, rather than time to just hang out and be a kid. That's why today we're asking you:

"How much is too much scheduling? How do you divide your child's time between scheduled activities and just playing with friends?"

Each week in "Moms Talk," we'll take your questions and put them to our Patch Moms Council—as well as any other moms in Jefferson. They'll do their best to provide answers in the comments section below about being a parent in our community. If you've got an answer, please, feel free to chime in yourself.