Activity Night. It's one of those things I've never really liked.
What is it? Well funny you ask because the definition of "Activity Night" in my mind is different from what really happens there these days. When I went to school, "Activity Night" included dancing to music from a DJ, basketball, ping pong, board games, refreshments served in the cafeteria, and walking around with friends. I remember having fun those nights and dancing til I was a soaked sweaty mess and running out to meet my Mom who was waiting in the car to pick me up when it was over. I remember rattling off about what songs they played and who was there.
When it finally came time for Kayleigh to attend her first "Activity Night", she went and when I picked her up she said it was boring and she didn't want to go to another one. So from 6th-8th grade, she only attended one activity night and then she attended her 8th grade dance.
Now that Kacey is in middle school, it's that time again. She missed the first one because we had plans but from what we heard after that night, she really didn't miss anything. You see, these "Activity Nights" these days are MUCH different from the ones I went to. Girls follow the boys around. Wait...they practically chase them! They're holding hands. They're slow dancing with boys. They're walking around and stopping to "talk" in corners. BOY CRAZY girls! So where does this leave me? Kacey is NOT into boys. She's been in a girls group that is teaching her to "guard her heart" and not give it out to any boy that walks around. She's being taught morals and values about how to stay pure to herself and follow a path that is faithful to God and His ways. So why in the world would I take her up there and subject her to this wrong? Should she be dropped off and given the chance to be in the middle of all of that on purpose? Should I discourage her from this behavior? After all, we've had the talks about it before and how middle school boys and girls are NOT supposed to "date" and she should never be left in a room alone with a boy. Do I trust her? Absolutely! But I feel like I'm sticking her in a situation that she shouldn't be in. I feel "Activity Nights" are NOT being monitored properly. Now, in defense of that first night, I was not there. I did not chaperone. My child did not attend. BUT...I listened to several parents talk about what their kids came home with. So why in the world would I put my child in that situation. Even if she asked to go...I would say "No."
So how about you? Would you let your child attend an "Activity Night" that you knew consisted of boy/girl dancing at 11-12 years old? Would you let your child have a boyfriend/girlfriend at 11-12 years old? Should middle schoolers be dating? Should they be allowed to hold hands and "talk" in dark corners? Do you think that this is a problem in todays society?
And just FYI....not long ago there were more than 10 girls pregnant in Kayleigh's high school. I know I was one of those unsupervised teens and I was just graduated when I got pregnant....BUT...is this a problem? Are these kids being left unsupervised to raise themselves and that is whats getting them into these problems? Are they not involved in enough extracurricular activities? Do they not have enough homework? LOL!
I'm leaving this open for a little debate. Please keep it nice. But I'm just wondering if I see the world a little different than most Moms or do I see it the same way and there are just too few of us to make a change?