Oftentimes, parents know when their kids’ schedules are too full but succumb to the pressure of making sure their kids do not miss out on anything. They want their children to have all the experiences and resources possible. However, packing too much into a child’s daily schedule can hinder development. The challenge becomes knowing how much is too much for children.

One major consequence that can result from overscheduling children is stress. Children and teens often complain that they have no time to relax. Parents are constantly asking them to complete new tasks and criticize their child’s methods of relaxing. This can lead the child to feel guilty, ruining the entire purpose of taking a break. 

A second consequence that can be seen from overscheduling children is their inability to fill time on their own. This can lead to false expectations of children thinking their parents will constantly create a schedule for them. Children have a hard time entertaining themselves and thus become even more dependent on their parents.

Ultimately, it’s important for parents to recognize that implementing free time into their child’s daily schedule is equally as important as providing them with the necessary resources and activities. Free time helps children figure out solutions on their own, fostering frustration tolerance, problem-solving, and flexibility. These are all traits that are essential for the rest of their lives. 

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Emma Dineen

UConn KIDS Research Assistant

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