Choosing an afterschool can feel like choosing your child’s future—and getting it wrong feels unbearable.

In this episode, I talk about the afterschool dilemma: academic rigor vs. joy, cultural preservation vs. childhood, and the constant fear that you’re either pushing too hard or not doing enough. My kids attend a Chinese immersion public school, and because we don’t speak Mandarin at home, afterschool matters—a lot.

I chose a more play-based program with Chinese, Kung Fu, choir, and time to just be kids. They’re happy. They’re learning. And I still question the decision every year.

This is a story about trade-offs, second-guessing, and learning to live with uncertainty as a parent. About choosing joy over optimization—and wondering if that choice is enough.

For parents who are trying their best, without ever being sure it’s right.