Busy kids require an organized mom [Part 1 of a series]

In Part 1 of a week-long series, "Are New Jersey's kids overscheduled," we take a look at the life of one mother who doesn't mind her kids' packed schedules. 

Nicole Fyfe is a single mother of two from Monroe Township. She has a full-time job as a nurse practitioner and her 12-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son are both competitive dancers. Her son also plays basketball in the winter months, baseball in the spring and he golfs throughout the year.

"Every day, one of them is dancing, so I am at the dance studio Monday through Saturday," Fyfe said. "They also have religion one night a week, so that has to fit into the mix as well. During those times when my son has other activities, we just figure it out."

So, how does a single mother get it all done?

"I am just really organized. Once I get their schedules for the year, I plug everything into a spreadsheet that I follow every day to see where everyone needs to be," Fyfe said.

She also has a babysitter who helps her in the mornings and afternoons, and the kids' father and Fyfe's boyfriend help a lot too. "I also carpool, so when I know I have other people's children, I put them in my spreadsheet."

Fyfe is no stranger to comments from people who tell her she is crazy for running around so much, or for having her children so involved in activities outside of school, but she doesn't let the criticism get her down.

"I feel that they are kids for such a short period of time and it is my job to nurture what they want to do. I will adjust my schedule around that. I get free time, but I do it around their schedule. Is it crazy? Yes. Are there times when I say to myself how the heck am I doing this? For sure. But, I think it's rewarding when I see that they're enjoying their lives and socializing, flourishing and growing into really great kids," Fyfe said.

Whether it is soccer, basketball, baseball, dance or any other activity, in this day and age, those activities are no longer a few weeks or a few months at a time. Many of them are year-round and there are extra trainings, conventions and workshops throughout the year that many parents and children feel pressured to be a part of.

"There is some pressure sometimes because there are some activities that I may feel that my kids don't need to attend, but they want to go because everyone else is going or they don't want to miss out. I just pick and choose based on their needs and what I think is best for them," Fyfe said.

When children are shuttling from school to dance to basketball, baseball or whatever the activity may be, time management is vital, especially when it comes to completed homework.

"If my kids have one hour after school or in between dance classes or at any point, they use that hour to the fullest. Sometimes, they bring their homework with them. At the end of the day, everything is getting done. So, they are absolutely learning how to multitask and how to manage their time, and that is something that they will take with them into adulthood," Fyfe said.

Despite the organized chaos and the running around on a daily basis, Nicole wouldn't change a thing. "I feel that there is nothing like watching your child grow and gain so much confidence and self-esteem. When I see them on that stage doing something I never would have been able to do as a child, it's unbelievable," Fyfe said. "They are growing into such great kids and it's not only because of me. It's also because of their coaches, teachers and instructors.