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JUGHEADS
Youth Juggling Company, LLC
5905 Concord Avenue
Edina, MN 55424
jugheads@comcast.net
or 952.926.0896
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[Back to Paul's Platform main selection page]
March 2008
“Doing Fewer Things Well”
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In nearly 16 years of full-time youth work, I've seen many kids come and go. The youth business is by definition transient-i.e., rosters are in a constant state of flux. My first major good-bye to a dear young Wise Guy happened mid-school year '93-'94 when Katie S.'s mom left the workplace in order to spend more time with her kids. Katie was one of my first 4th graders when I started in '92; although I was happy for her family's lifestyle change, I was sad to see her go. (Back then, a 5th grade Wise Guy was middle-aged in that three-year program, but I longed for more lasting relationships. That's one reason I love JH's 10-year age range.)
JH is obviously activity-based, not childcare (although we're also relationship-based); most families consider this an elective rather than a necessity for their youths' schedules. Over the years, kids have left our company for reasons ranging from peer pressure to discouragement to relocation to re-prioritization to high school graduation. In every case, my hope has been and continues to be that no Jughead feels pressured to stay, and no Jughead leaves over a reason that I could have helped to remedy (bullying, disconnection, stagnation, etc.). Families tell us that one of the things they appreciate about JH is we're an extra-curricular sport that encourages inidivdual & team-based skills without the scheduling pressures of traveling sports. But I've often seen kids struggle under the weight of far too many commitments. While it is good for youth (and adults) to explore many activities and interests, there is wisdom in eventually endeavoring to do fewer things well. This takes work, soul-searching, counsel, and tough choices.
Several Jugheads
this winter have chosen to withdraw from JJ10 for various reasons; I give
them my blessing, and I hope that their honed focus benefits the other
areas of their lives. Saying good-bye to one activity hopefully means
further excelling in another area. The pain of farewell is short-term,
but strategically limiting one's activity load is a win-win for our youths'
development. I respect the bravery of those who pull back for "doing
fewer things well"-including many Jugheads who have chosen this company
as a worthy object of their own focus on excellence.