Kids are busier than ever. With school starting, sports underway and other extra-curricular activities, it's easy to see how young ones can become overwhelmed.
We talked with a busy family, and some experts, about the best ways to keep your kids active but not pushed beyond their limits.
On this night, 9-year-old Dori Sproles has swimming and volleyball practice back to back. The next day is even busier.
"I have school in the morning, piano, swim practice, volleyball and then Girl Scouts," Dori Sproles, 9-years-old, said.
For many parents, this probably sounds like an average weeknight.
"We kind of write down what's going to happen when, so that we can kind of team up and if I can't get them there, then my husband picks them up or drops them off," mom Jodi Sproles said.
Even if parents have schedules down to a science, some experts say it's also a good idea to keep an eye on how your kids are handling the busy lifestyle.
"At what point is it crossing that line? That's always our job I think as parents to take a look again, and knowing your child is number one," Celeste Uthe-Burow, Coordinator of Student Support Services for Sioux Falls School District, said.
Some of the warning signs that your child is taking on too much are: irritability, lack of interest in the activity and sometimes even illness.
"Eventually, without sleep, or when there's a lack of sleep, brain activity, physical activity, all abilities are going to be decreased and how we can accomplish any of the things that we're doing," Jan Lee, Sanford Health Family Life Educator, said.
Something parents need to be aware of to keep their kids healthy and happy.
"They want the best for them, and so that exuberance a lot of times they want to get them involved in everything and want to see them passionate, so sometimes they miss the signals that maybe it's a little bit too much," Uthe-Burow said.
"Look at the big scope of things. So if they're not feeling well, don't take them. This is not, they're not preparing for the Olympics. This is for enjoyment and this is for physical activity," Jodi said.
Activity that can be good for a kid, when it's done in moderation.
The Sproles family also uses the busy times as a way to teach the kids about how to manage their schedules.
We talked with a busy family, and some experts, about the best ways to keep your kids active but not pushed beyond their limits.
On this night, 9-year-old Dori Sproles has swimming and volleyball practice back to back. The next day is even busier.
"I have school in the morning, piano, swim practice, volleyball and then Girl Scouts," Dori Sproles, 9-years-old, said.
For many parents, this probably sounds like an average weeknight.
"We kind of write down what's going to happen when, so that we can kind of team up and if I can't get them there, then my husband picks them up or drops them off," mom Jodi Sproles said.
Even if parents have schedules down to a science, some experts say it's also a good idea to keep an eye on how your kids are handling the busy lifestyle.
"At what point is it crossing that line? That's always our job I think as parents to take a look again, and knowing your child is number one," Celeste Uthe-Burow, Coordinator of Student Support Services for Sioux Falls School District, said.
Some of the warning signs that your child is taking on too much are: irritability, lack of interest in the activity and sometimes even illness.
"Eventually, without sleep, or when there's a lack of sleep, brain activity, physical activity, all abilities are going to be decreased and how we can accomplish any of the things that we're doing," Jan Lee, Sanford Health Family Life Educator, said.
Something parents need to be aware of to keep their kids healthy and happy.
"They want the best for them, and so that exuberance a lot of times they want to get them involved in everything and want to see them passionate, so sometimes they miss the signals that maybe it's a little bit too much," Uthe-Burow said.
"Look at the big scope of things. So if they're not feeling well, don't take them. This is not, they're not preparing for the Olympics. This is for enjoyment and this is for physical activity," Jodi said.
Activity that can be good for a kid, when it's done in moderation.
The Sproles family also uses the busy times as a way to teach the kids about how to manage their schedules.