Parenting is changing at a rapid pace, and some school activities that were once completely normal are now coming under fire. Between the safety worries, changing values, and tech overload, parents are rethinking the activities kids should be doing in school. Here are 17 school activities parents are saying “no” to these days.
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Overwhelming extracurricular schedules
Parents are going easier on packing their children’s calendars. Non-stop sports, lessons, and club activities leave kids and parents wiped out. Many families are choosing one activity at a time and more downtime.
Contact sports like rugby and tackle football
Tackle football? Rugby? With all the news about concussions, lots of parents are steering kids toward noncontact sports alternatives like swimming or tennis.
Spirit Week costume days
There are too many dress-up days: crazy hair day, pajama day, twin day, etc. Parents are calling it expensive, exhausting, and hard to keep up with. They’d rather just have one “fun day” instead of a whole week of themes.
Punishing entire classes for one student’s behavior
If one child misbehaves and the whole class loses recess or privileges, that feels like a punishment for parents too. Parents say they want teachers to use more positive, individual discipline strategies instead of group punishment.
Smartphone-based activities
School events that rely on kids using phones for voting, photos, or games are losing favor. Not every student has a phone, and many parents don’t love the idea of more screen time. They want the good old days back.
Homework over weekends or holidays
Weekend and holiday homework assignments can make kids feel frazzled. Parents want families to have time to relax, travel, or just enjoy being together without having to squeeze in schoolwork.
Overscheduled summer camps
If the summer camp has back-to-back scheduled activities from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., some parents are done with it. They want their kids to experience a real summer, with boredom, backyard play, and freedom.
Field trips in extreme temperatures
Zoo field trip when it’s 100 degrees? Walking tour in the pouring rain? Parents say no thanks. They want those field trips to be rescheduled.
Inconveniently timed parent events
Middle-of-the-day school shows or meetings don’t work for a lot of working parents. Not to mention the ones that aren’t in English, making it hard for everyone to attend. Families want more flexible event times and increased access.
Sensitive content without notice
When schools broach gender, identity, sexuality, relationships, or other sensitive topics, some parents want to have a say. It’s not that they’re against it, but they just want to be prepared. Lots of parents are requesting an opt-out clause.
School walk-ins or political protests
Even when they agree with the cause, many parents don’t like the idea of schools being used for political walk-ins or protests. They’d rather keep activism separate from learning time. A heads-up and an option to say no can go a long way.
Heavy focus on AP, dual enrollment, and testing
Pushing for high test scores and college credits can backfire, parents say. Good grades shouldn’t come at the expense of a child’s mental health. Parents want schools to slow down and support kids, not overload them.
Fancy clothing swaps and costume closets
Events in which students swap outfits or borrow costumes from a school closet can be complicated. Costumes get lost, stained, or raise anxiety. Parents are voting for simpler ideas like clothing drives.
Huge, crowded assemblies
Large school gatherings can be daunting for kids with anxiety or sensory issues. Parents want alternative, smaller, and quieter ways to recognize occasions. Livestream options can also help.
Before-school clubs that require early drop-offs
Encouraging kids to arrive at school that early can be a huge struggle for working families. Parents are requesting later start times or moving clubs to lunch or after-school hours instead.
Potluck events with homemade food
Allergies, unknown ingredients, and homemade snacks make some parents nervous. Many would rather stick with packaged snacks or let the school handle it.
Fundraisers that pressure kids to sell
Make-your-own-sales jobs that require children to approach neighbors, friends, and strangers can add stress to kids and families. Parents would rather just donate themselves than hassle their neighbors into buying candy bars, raffle tickets, and wrapping paper.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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