What’s New
A grass-roots initiative of parents collectively reclaiming Sunday as a sports-free day.
Schedule balance into your week by reclaiming Sunday as family day.
Balance4Success at University of Minnesota
A group of students at the U of M adapts Balance4Success for college life. 
Talk About Balance
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Family Mealtime
Countless studies show that regular family mealtimes are more critical for kids’ development than any extracurricular activities.
Youth Sports
Organized sports provide many developmental benefits-and lots of fun. But with play time overwhelming many kids' and family's lives, pediatricians and mental health professionals and youth sports leaders and educators are increasingly concerned that excessive involvement in organized sports can be detrimental to kids' well being in many ways.
Taking Back Sundays
Organized activities like sports, arts, and social clubs are good for kids at moderate levels. But excessive involvement and overscheduling can backfire. A balance of extracurricular activities and plenty of unstructured time - with a priority placed on family time - is the best way to insure that your kids get the most benefit out of their weekly schedule.
Balance is about choices
Parents can help kids make choices about activity levels consistent with family values and individual preferences. For some parents, this can mean supporting their child's busy schedule. The majority of others, however, want more balance in their children's and family's lives, but aren't sure how to do it.
Taking Back Sundays
Taking Back Sunday is a coordinated, community-wide effort by parents in District 196 to schedule Sunday as a sports-free day. Like the Minnesota State High School League, most of the NCAA, many employers and government agencies, Taking Back Sunday reserves Sunday as a day off.
Scheduling balance can be daunting if parents feel their family and child are the only ones doing so. Taking Back Sunday mzximizes the strength in numbers of many community families. the more families that Take Back Sundays, the easier it is for others to do the same - and for coaches to develop schedules.
Ways to Schedule Balance into Your Child's Life
- Talk about how many activities (or hours) you want your child scheduled, on average, each week. Keep in mind the child's age and temperament, as well as family goals.
- Sign up only for activities that fit your family schedule. If a preferred activity doesn't, talk with the activity leader before signing up about days your child won't be able to participate, giving assurances that your child will otherwise stick to the schedule.
- Set aside one day or evening a week as an activity-free family time.
- Talk to other parents, sharing challenges and ideas.
- Coordinate with other local families Taking Back Sunday for rest and family time.
Take Our Pledge
If you would like to take the Taking Back Sundays Pledge, you may Join now.