Organized sports have never really been an option for Carolyn and Kirt Boston's three children -- Jarydd, Mikaela, and Liam, -- but they definitely haven't lacked activities since the family has always been committed to spending time together in a variety of ways, including hiking, camping, backpacking and practicing taekwondo.

As owner of the Classic TaeKwonDo Studios in Minneapolis for more than 15 years, Carolyn Boston said the demands of teaching taekwondo after school every day and into the evening led to a "no sports" policy for her kids, although Jarydd and Mikaela (who were home-schooled, as is Liam) did participate on a cross-country ski team with South High School once they could get themselves to practice. Boston, of Minneapolis, has no regrets about their family's organized-sports decision because she believes her kids thrived in their pursuits of many different interests.

"I really believe kids need free time to come up with their own ideas," she said. "If they are completely overscheduled, they don't know what they are supposed to do if you don't tell them."

With the beginning of the school year approaching, many families will be registering their children for sports, music or dance classes; some parents may also plan to volunteer as coaches or committee members.

While all of these activities can be worthwhile, parents should be careful not to over-commit their kids (or themselves) since more often than not, the tradeoff will be family time.

Boston has incorporated her perspective about the value of kids and parents spending time together into her taekwondo classes; parents of the children who participate in her daily 4:30 p.m. classes often take the class, as well. "You know, your kids really aren't at home with you for very long," said Boston, whose son Jaryyd is hoping to attend law school out-of-state next year. "I'm just a big believer in doing everything you can do to be together."

Julie Pfitzinger for the Minneapolis Star Tribune August, 2011