Olivia is known for her dislike in trying new things. Be it food, learning, activities anything. You get a look of disgust and a “No I don’t like it” or “I don’t want to” from her.

In the past we have tried all kinds of tricks to get her to try new things out, little white lies (c’ mon who hasn’t!) like when she refused to eat carrots we told her nanny grew them in the garden! Cue mad dash to Asda to get the right size shape carrot so they looked like nanny’s carrots! But it worked so it was worth it.

Teachers encouragement at school when learning something or asked to do something she never had before. Bribery is a good ‘un too although should be used with caution as it has backfired more than once. This has been especially useful when trying to get her to try new activities ie Zumba at school. She had to go once to try it and then if she hated she didn’t have to go back. Turned out she loved it.

So, this school year I decided that as I am now back at work full time I wanted to increase her activities outside of school so she isn’t bored and is occupied instead of sitting around waiting for me to finish work.

She has always done after school clubs and used to go to dancing classes once a week until I pulled her out as she wasn’t learning anything or progressing. But what to pick, where to send her? I mean there are literally hundreds of clubs, classes, activities she could learn but if she didn’t want to do them? I would just end up with an unhappy child and basically throwing good money away, wouldn’t I!

My plan of action began with getting Olivia into an after-school club. Last year she did tennis and Zumba and loved them both. Tennis was again on the schedule for her year group so I got her into that. One hour after school every week brilliant. This year though I am going to actually ask if it is worth me enrolling her into a tennis club as she really loves it. Like mother like daughter as tennis was the only sport I actually enjoyed at school too! It was exactly getting her trying new things as such, but it was a start!

I then paid up her swimming card.

For only £11 a month (longer if it falls on a school holiday) Olivia can go swimming whenever she wants. My sister, niece and friends all go every week and as she will be spending a lot of time at my sisters she now can join in too whenever they go and we can go together when I am off work!

And lastly, because I don’t believe a child schedule should be jam-packed morning, noon and night she has finally decided that she wants to join the gymnastics club two of my nieces go to. A perfect weekend club and today was her first session and she loved it thank god!

Working up a sweat at gymnastics

Trying New Things.

Olivia has also expressed an interest in learning the guitar. So provided her dad steps up to the mark, well I can’t afford everything, she will also be learning how to play an instrument too. Taylor Swift watch out!

So here’s hoping Olivia will be so busy having lots of fun she hardly notices me being away at work (OK, OK, I know its not a foolproof plan but go easy on the mum guilt here please)

What is your view on children being kept busy with out of school activities? Should any non-school time be family only or do you agree with them being kept occupied every day? Hopefully, I have found the right balance and she will enjoy them without them being a chore she feels she has to.

How is your child with trying new things? Do you have any tips for me?