Childhood Isn’t a Checklist
Every year, when back to school season comes around, our calendars start to fill quickly- school, homework, sports, music, tutoring, playdates. It can feel like we’re constantly racing from one thing to the next. It’s so easy to slip into the mindset that childhood is a series of boxes to tick: ✔ good grades, ✔ sports, ✔ music lessons, ✔ social skills. We want the very best for our kids—and with love at the root of it, we work hard to give them opportunities to thrive.
It can feel like we’re constantly racing from one thing to the next, hoping we’re giving our kids every opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed.
But here’s something I want to gently remind you: Childhood isn’t meant to be over-scheduled. It isn’t about fitting in everything. It’s about leaving space for the little things that matter most.
Yes, activities are wonderful. They build skills, friendships, and confidence. But when every moment is filled, kids lose the quiet in-between spaces, the ones where imagination blossoms, where curiosity leads, where connection with us happens most naturally.
The truth is that our children don’t need a full schedule to thrive. They also need time to play freely, to rest, to be bored ! They need time to linger over dinner with us or just cuddle on the couch after a long day.
So, as you step into this school year, I invite you to pause before saying “yes” to everything. Ask yourself:
Does this activity support my child’s joy and growth—or just add to the rush?
Where can we create breathing room in our week?
What small rituals of connection can we protect, no matter how busy life gets?
Because in the end, what your child will remember isn’t how many activities they had—but how it felt to grow up in your home. Childhood isn’t a schedule to keep. It’s a collection of moments that shape who they are becoming.
This doesn’t mean we abandon goals, structure, or responsibility. It means we hold them with a softer grip, remembering that life is happening now. That our children only have one childhood, and it doesn’t need to be polished to be meaningful- it also needs to be lived, together.
Here’s to creating a year filled with enough space to notice, to connect, and to simply be.
If you're ready to take your parenting to the next level, or feel stuck in your parenting journey, message me directly or a book a free Parenting Roadmap call.
Best,
Dr. Sarita
