<p>Thanks to everyone for their input. The key thing from the feedback that resonated with me is to let D be responsible for her own decisions, within the bounds of family limits. blossom’s post brought up some of the issues that have also weighed upon me. A too-busy, stressed kid also has too-busy, stressed parents who are driving the kid to and fro. (It was also good to hear that there are some other equestrians out there!)</p>
<p>I talked to the dance studio head last night to understand better the competition team time commitment, in terms of conventions and competitions.</p>
<p>H and I discussed everything last night. I realized that I’ve gotten overly caught up with the wanting to build an EC resume that I thought would look good to college admissions officers - with 4 years of commitment to the same in-school activities. It was good for me to be reminded that ECs don’t really matter that much in admissions, and in-school vs. out-of-school doesn’t really matter much, so might as well do what you love. And, as H said last night, it’s not like someone will look at D’s activities and think that she is a slacker. </p>
<p>So, we’re leaning towards letting her do the dance competition team, and having her try to get involved with one or two not too time consuming clubs at school, in addition to the school’s dance team. And just accepting the fact that her interests might change over time, and it’s OK if she doesn’t do the same activities for all 4 years. Cross country is out for freshman year - I told D that I don’t have the time and energy to deal with both cross country and dance competition on top of everything else, and she said that it was an easy choice for her to pick dance competition. </p>
<p>The goal of her in-school activities is more for building stronger friendships at school and having a sense of connection there, than for the college application resume. She will know almost nobody at the high school, because of strange school district borders and the special competitive admittance program that she will be in that draws from the entire district. Despite living only 5 minutes from her dance studio, it is in a different town and school district, and no girls from dance will go to the same high school. A couple of friends from the barn will eventually go to the same high school, but are a year younger, and so won’t be in any classes together, and won’t ride the same bus or anything.</p>
<p>The good news is that dance competitions and horse shows are at different times of the year, and won’t directly conflict. School dance team and studio dance classes will likely end up conflicting somewhat, as they are both heavy in the winter.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks everyone for all of your guidance. I’ve still got one more night to completely decide, before the dance studio forms have to be turned in tomorrow. Then, a horse show Friday through Sunday!</p>