HS student time usage: unscheduled leisure

Three_to_go
Wed, 29 Dec 2004 19:34:00 +0000

I’d like to hear from parents how much down time your son or daughter typically indulges in or has available. I’m especially interested in what parents of high-achievers in academics and multitudinous ECs report.

In addition, how much free time do you believe should be “allowed” (iow, how much is too much and when would your internal warning signals go off -assuming grades are OK.)

I have boys that are addicted to computer gaming-there are times in which I would gladly embrace a Luddite sort of mind-set. I contrast this easy form of entertainment to all the exploration my husband and I did at the same age through hands-on experimentation, reading, day-dreaming, etc. There are so many opportunities available in our garage alone–rocketry, plastics, radio, woodworking, automotives and alternative computer stuff.

Except for indoor track after school and weekly away meets, he basically has many hours free daily since homework doesn’t take him too long except on some rare days. Weekends are like a long computer fest on some of the interactive games (Everquest, Warcraft). He’s an A student otherwise, although none of this is bringing his verbal skills into optimum usage.

Please describe how your kids use their time and if you’ve had this problem of a mono-hobby, how you countered it (if you even see this as a problem)