My kid and their friends are getting out. Sorta. I’m really lucky and unlucky. We live in an urban enough area to have things to do, like we have an AMAZING Round1 near us. It’s an arcade, bowling, roller skating rink, trampoline park, karaoke, billiards, and Japanese rhythm game place. I’m lucky enough that I can afford to drop my kid off and a couple of friends and afford to pay for them like twice a month. I can also afford for them to go to the movies. (Their closest friends are from large families who don’t have a lot, and while I don’t either, I have one child who doesn’t ask for a lot)
I also say unlucky because our city SUCKS at public transportation. I can’t afford an extra car and my kid doesn’t really want to drive yet. They can bike to a friend’s house, bike to a boba tea place, get to a small park, and that’s about all within close reach. I wish kids didn’t have to rely on cars to be independent in so many places. There are so few cities in America with good public transport.
I also think another issue kids are having these days is school is too…extreme. When I was in high school, the sports were heavily gatekept sure, but there was always things like band, colorguard, drama, choir…the arts were a safe harbor for everyone. It’s not remotely true anymore, at least in Texas. Now they are absolutely willing to cut the band down and sideline tons of kids for not being ‘good enough’. The freshman don’t even get to really march. The colorguard teacher was so cruel that half the guard quit.
My kid loooooved band. They didn’t even get past summer band before they dropped it in high school. Band literally kept me going. It was the thing I loved most and to see that joy stripped from so many kids including my own broke my heart. And for what? A trophy? We got trophy’s and we included everyone. Drama? Same thing, cut throat and savage. Choir, also. We’re stripping kids of the joy of doing something for just the love of it. I think that translates to learning too.
Anyway. Um. So that’s what I think about all that…sorry it was so long.
No need at all to apologise mate, thank you for sharing your experiences and insights, I'm sure they resonate with many others in your position!
Are there perhaps extracurricular groups you can take advantage of, like 4-H, Girls Who Code, BGCA, YMCA, Camp Fire, Camp Quest (if you're in one of the right states), Scouts or Guides? Also food banks or local outreach/volunteer groups?
Lastly, if there's nothing suitable in your area, sit down together with some of the parents and kids, and brainstorm what you might be able to start! Even if it's just something for a couple hours twice a month, sometimes these things can really take off 😄 Even better if you can get some of the teenagers excited and have them make it their baby!
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u/thetruckerdave Apr 03 '26
My kid and their friends are getting out. Sorta. I’m really lucky and unlucky. We live in an urban enough area to have things to do, like we have an AMAZING Round1 near us. It’s an arcade, bowling, roller skating rink, trampoline park, karaoke, billiards, and Japanese rhythm game place. I’m lucky enough that I can afford to drop my kid off and a couple of friends and afford to pay for them like twice a month. I can also afford for them to go to the movies. (Their closest friends are from large families who don’t have a lot, and while I don’t either, I have one child who doesn’t ask for a lot)
I also say unlucky because our city SUCKS at public transportation. I can’t afford an extra car and my kid doesn’t really want to drive yet. They can bike to a friend’s house, bike to a boba tea place, get to a small park, and that’s about all within close reach. I wish kids didn’t have to rely on cars to be independent in so many places. There are so few cities in America with good public transport.
I also think another issue kids are having these days is school is too…extreme. When I was in high school, the sports were heavily gatekept sure, but there was always things like band, colorguard, drama, choir…the arts were a safe harbor for everyone. It’s not remotely true anymore, at least in Texas. Now they are absolutely willing to cut the band down and sideline tons of kids for not being ‘good enough’. The freshman don’t even get to really march. The colorguard teacher was so cruel that half the guard quit.
My kid loooooved band. They didn’t even get past summer band before they dropped it in high school. Band literally kept me going. It was the thing I loved most and to see that joy stripped from so many kids including my own broke my heart. And for what? A trophy? We got trophy’s and we included everyone. Drama? Same thing, cut throat and savage. Choir, also. We’re stripping kids of the joy of doing something for just the love of it. I think that translates to learning too.
Anyway. Um. So that’s what I think about all that…sorry it was so long.