Why Your Child’s Schedule Looks Like a CEO's

And why that might not be the flex we think it is.

May 15, 2025

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Hi there,

Let’s play pretend, you cancel every scheduled thing your kid has this week, no piano, no swim practice, no soccer practice, no science camp.

What would they do with that time? Would they even know it was theirs to begin with?

Hi I am Lakshmi, mom of 2 curious boys, and this week, I’m sitting with a question that’s been on my mind, why do our kids’ schedules look more jam-packed than a CEO’s?

And how to reverse the overscheduling and bring a little breathing room back.. Let’s talk! 

Childhood, or Chief Operating Officer?

I’m obviously not anti-activity. Trust me, I’ve done the calendar color-coding, the post-dinner drop-offs, the “maybe we can squeeze that in on Thursdays at 5:15.”

But somewhere between baseball and Spanish homework, I realized, this isn’t just busy. It’s...a little ridiculous.

And here’s the kicker: it’s not even always for the kids. It’s about us, our need to feel like we’re doing enough. Like we’re not letting them fall behind. Like we’re building a resume by age 8.  

Structure ≠ Overload    

Kids need rhythm. Routine. Predictability. That’s not up for debate.

But structure doesn’t have to mean signing up for everything.

If they know every Tuesday they get to play outside with friends, that’s structure too, that’s just as valid as any class. 

Signs Your Child Might Be Overscheduled (Checklist)

Here’s a quick self-check. If you nod yes to more than a few, it might be time to reevaluate:

◻︎They always seem tired, even after a full night’s sleep.

◻︎They say “I don’t have time” when you ask them to play or relax.

◻︎Meals and snacks are often on-the-go.

◻︎They complain of headaches, stomachaches, or feeling “off.”

◻︎You’re always rushing from one activity to the next.

◻︎There’s little to no downtime between school and extracurriculars.

◻︎They’ve dropped activities they used to love because they’re “too busy.”

◻︎You notice more meltdowns, irritability, or emotional outbursts.

◻︎Weekend mornings are just as packed as weekdays.

◻︎They can’t remember the last time they felt bored.

Let this be your starting point, not a scorecard.

Why Boredom Deserves a Comeback  

Your child turns off the screen, looks around the room, and suddenly… They have no idea what to do.

That moment of discomfort? That’s the start of something.

Boredom, real boredom, forces them to dig inwards. To turn sticks into storylines. To invent rules. To build forts out of couch cushions and create games with no winners.

So, let’s not look at boredom as wasted time, rather a necessary space.

What Overscheduling Teaches,That We Never Meant to…  

No one sets out to teach their child that their worth depends on how many things they can fit in a day.

But if we aren’t careful, that’s exactly what we end up doing.

Because when every hour is accounted for, every afternoon is a handoff from one activity to another, kids get the message: productivity equals value.

We tell ourselves we’re opening doors. But too often, we’re closing the one that matters most, the door to rest.

And rest isn’t and shouldn’t be a reward. It’s the baseline. It’s the non-negotiable foundation every kid needs, not the treat they get once everything else is done.

And if we want them to grow into healthy, whole people, we have to start modeling that truth now.

That’s all for today’s issue, parents! 💗

Inside the Laid-back Parent’s Internet History this week: 

Note for My Fellow Laid-Back Parents 📧 

Here’s your homework this week (and I promise it’s not graded)

Ask your child, “Are you enjoying this?”

Not in the car on the way home. Not while they’re still sweaty from practice. Ask when it’s quiet. When they’ve had space. And be ready to really hear it.

Until next time,
Lakshmi 💛