5 Signs Your Kid Is Too Busy-- And How to Help

Extracurricular activities are a great way for kids and teens to explore new hobbies, develop important skills, and make new friends. But balancing extracurriculars with the demands of school and social life can become overwhelming for developing kids.

That’s where support around executive functioning for parents can make a big difference, especially when your child struggles with time management, organization, or emotional regulation.

At Finding Focus Therapy, we work with parents of middle schoolers and teens to help them figure out a healthy balance in their children’s lives. We also support parents in helping them understand how to have better relationships with their kids. We know you want what’s best for your child. That’s why it’s important to understand why overscheduling kids can be harmful and recognize signs your kid is too busy.

The Danger of Overscheduled Students: Burnout

As a parent, you want to make sure your child has the best opportunities. You want to make sure they’re well-rounded, happy, and get into good schools. And there’s nothing wrong with getting kids into activities that are fun and good for them. In fact, organized activities help boost kids’ psychological well-being and development. Adding extracurricular activities to their lives can be greatly enriching, particularly if they enjoy the activity and find it socially engaging.

But kids have a lot to balance in their lives. The pressures of homework, classes, and grades make school a challenging environment for many kids. Not to mention social concerns, like navigating friendships and the impact of social media on mental health. Middle schoolers and teens deal with a lot of regular pressures and concerns. Finding enjoyable activities to participate in is an important part of a child’s development, but it can be tough to find a balance between everything going on in their life. 

All kids need downtime and play to decompress and be kids. If kids are too overscheduled, they can become overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed. Overwhelm and stress can lead to health issues like sleep problems, fatigue, stress, and burnout.

How Burnout Can Affect Your Child

Burnout affects a lot of people in our society. And it doesn’t only impact adults. Many of our teen and middle school clients are burned out, too. The pressures and stress of everything kids have to balance can ultimately lead to burnout.

When kids experience burnout, the symptoms are similar to adult burnout. Symptoms of burnout include:

•  Fatigue

• Irritability

• Inability to focus on schoolwork, hobbies, or other aspects of life

• Anxiety or worry

• Depression

• Frustration

• Stress

It can be tricky to recognize burnout. Your middle schooler or teenager may not have the resources to understand or communicate what’s going on for them. But burnout can greatly reduce mental health if left untreated. Luckily, you can keep an eye out for symptoms of burnout and seek support from an executive skills coach if you think your kid is struggling.

5 Signs Your Kid Is Too Busy

Overscheduled kids may or may not show symptoms of burnout. But there are other signs your kid is too busy, too. Here are 5 signs to look for. 

1. They’re falling behind in school. Your child may not be able to keep up with all of the demands in their life. Eventually, something’s gotta give – and that something is often school. If your kid is overscheduled, they may not have time or energy to do their homework and study for tests. 

   
   

2. They don’t sleep well (or enough). Overscheduled students may have a hard time decompressing at the end of the day. This can lead to insomnia and other sleep issues. They also may use their phones to try and help them relax at night, but this often backfires. Screentime before bed can increase sleep difficulties. 

   
   

3. They stop seeing their friends. If kids aren’t socializing to the same extent they used to, they may be overscheduled. They may not have the time or energy to see friends, have fun, or do the things they used to enjoy. Lack of socializing could also be a sign of depression, fatigue, or social anxiety. 

   
   

4. They experience unexplained physical problems. Mysterious problems like headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained pain can actually be caused by stress. If your kid is prone to anxiety and is having physical symptoms, they might be overscheduled or anxious. 

   
   

5. Their mental health has taken a hit. If your child is showing signs of burnout or they seem different from their usual self, it could be a sign that they’re overscheduled and stressed. Trust your gut – if they seem “off” in some way, they probably are. 

How to Help Your Overscheduled Child

Start a conversation with your kid. Ask them about their schedule. How do they feel about it? Are they feeling stressed or like it’s too much? Are they enjoying everything they’re doing? Are there things they’d rather stop doing? Having conversations with them about how they feel about their schedules can help you understand how they’re doing. 

Let your child try new things without making any long-term commitments. It may be that they need to drop something in order to start a new activity. Ask them questions to help them figure out how to choose the right activities for them, and let them know you support them. 

Let your kid make their own decisions about their schedule. Ultimately, it’s up to them to figure out what they want to do in their lives. Developing the skills to make their own choices will help them build agency and empowerment. It’s important to help them figure out how to balance their lives, but they also need to be able to make decisions and mistakes in the process. And if you or they are struggling, don’t be afraid to seek support.

Working on executive functioning for parents can give you tools to guide your child through decision-making, teach time management, and create a more balanced routine that supports both emotional well-being and academic success.

Executive Functioning For Parents Can Help You and Your Child Navigate Scheduling Stressors

If you think your kid’s schedule is causing more harm than good, we’re here to help.

We’ll support you in balancing the pressures of your child’s life. You’ll learn strategies on how to manage their time to improve mental health, use appropriate coping skills to feel less stressed, and make healthy decisions for themselves.

We will also offer support for parents who want to learn to have better relationships with their kids. We can help you navigate difficult behaviors in your kids, communicate better, and support them in their lives. 

Feel free to contact us for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We can answer any questions you have, see whether we’re a good fit, and start working toward a better future today.

Support Your Child Without Burning Out With Executive Functioning for Parents in Boulder, CO

If your child is overwhelmed by their busy schedule and you're unsure how to help, you're not alone. At Finding Focus Therapy, we support parents in building the tools they need to help their kids thrive, without burning out. Get the guidance you deserve with compassionate support for executive functioning for parents in Boulder, CO. Follow these three simple steps to get started:

1. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if executive skills coaching is right for you

2. Begin meeting with supportive executive functioning coach, Liz Morrison

3. Start building the tools you need to support your child!

Additional Services Offered at Finding Focus Therapy

At Finding Focus Therapy, I offer executive skills coaching tailored for young adults, adults, and parents who are ready to feel more in control of their lives. Whether it's staying organized, managing time effectively, or making decisions with more confidence, I work with clients to build tools that make everyday challenges more manageable. In addition to executive functioning support for parents, I also provide executive functioning coaching for adults navigating work, relationships, and personal goals. While executive functioning plays a foundational role, our work together focuses on creating meaningful, lasting shifts across all areas of life. Coaching offers a focused and supportive space to break through barriers and move forward with greater direction and self-assurance. Check out my blog for more on executive functioning!