By Portia Dawson, Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST

There are moments when we think that there are not enough hours in the day (we’re already given 24 hours). We have work, household chores, and children. The children; they have school, homework, dance, sports, play dates, church, not to mention all of the preparation that goes into getting ready for pre-college testing.

The youth today are said to be experts in multi-tasking—but are they? Youth are tasked with so much work with little time to play. Kids who play sports don’t only play for a season but the whole year. Girls who cheer, cheer on and off season, plus participate in dance and gymnastics. We are the soccer generation. Little kindergartners are on leagues.

When youth arrive home after a long day of school and activities, then they have to hit the books. They are expected to take AP courses and maintain 3.75 – 4.0+ GPA (Good People Achieve). Kids are expected to perform well in everything. Incidentally in the 60’s, 70’s, & 80’s, kids could actually be kids.

This year I watched kids cry because they only had a 4.2 GPA. I watched kids stress out because they thought they were letting their parents down. I saw kids who were not planning for fun in the summer, but were getting into other study programs to enhance their grades.

The bottom line is, “If they don’t have a break while they are young and not taking care of their own household, when are they going to have a break?”

Book some fun into your kid’s life. Let them have a little fun while they can. Look at your kid’s schedule. Is it overbooked?

Is school really out for the summer?

Portia Dawson defines her purpose as “empowering young women to stand up and be counted” and to also help girls “do the right thing” and avoid the relationship pitfalls she overcame. Portia is a Mentor Program Administrator for the National Police Athletic Leagues (P.A.L.) and based in San Diego, Calif. In this role, Portia developed a group that builds relationships with women who education, knowledge and passion for success. By this, she believes each young person’s life can be improved for healthier living by self-acknowledgment, self-assertion and self-confidence. In addition to a strong mental health field career, Portia works closely with the Latino Youth Council, The San Diego Oceans Foundation, Community Housing Works, and The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the San Diego Department of Education. Portia has served with the Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST since May 2011.