12 Warning Signs That Your Child May Be Overscheduled

There may not be a "right" number of activities for every child, but ask yourself these questions to check if your child's getting enough downtime.

1. Does he act grouchy, mopey, or irritable? 
    
2. Can she fall asleep at bedtime? 
    
3. Are his grades slipping? Does he finish his homework? 
    
4. Has she started overeating? 
    
5. Does he zone out in front of the TV? 
    
6. Is she complaining of stomachaches, headaches, or mysterious illnesses? 
    
7. Does he grumble about being bored? 
    
8. Is she over-anxious about getting approval from authority figures? 
    
9. When you're heading out the door, does he throw a tantrum or "lose" equipment? 
    
10. Does she pick fights with her siblings or complain you don't love her as much? 
     
11. Can he keep track of where's he's supposed to be? 
     
12. Is her schedule draining you or your family members? 

If your child exhibits a few of these behaviors on an ongoing basis, you may want to re-examine his after-school schedule.

Find more pointers for evaluating and scheduling extracurricular activities.