Regrets spending so much money on kids’ activities

[Anonymous]

Sure? But what you are not understanding is that the costs are driven by overhead not ownership.

[Anonymous]

I understand, but that doesn't mean it doesn't socks for kids or that I don't think things could be less expensive. I also can not stand the whole kids needs all these activities mentality.

[Anonymous]

If you are hoping for your child to be a concert pianist or an Olympic athlete, then yes, most of those things were a waste. To be a concert pianist, the child has to have the drive and talent and the family has to eat, breathe and live piano, too. But childhood activities are preparation for life, and every adult should know how to play once beautiful piece of music, ski down a middling slope, cook a decent spaghetti Bolognese, formulate a well-reasoned argument and recite a least one bit of poetry. None of these things require years of grumpy practices, but their ROI is well-cultured young adults who are interesting and engaged in their own challenging pursuits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our kids are still young, but we don't plan to invest any serious money or time in extracurriculars unless a kid actually pushes hard for it and shows serious independent drive.. Otherwise, we will offer them whatever options are convenient and cheap, to have fun and do casually. So far, between three kids, we've done baseball, soccer, swimming, ballet, and sewing. All with cheap local teachers or teams.

Could you have mentioned cheap one more time?

None of those things with 3 kids are cheap.

[Anonymous]

You weren't forcing them to do it, right? If one of them had said to you "I really dislike X. I dislike the teammates/bandmates, and I don't enjoy the practice, the real thing, anything about it," I assume you would have let them quit?

It sounds like they were willingly participating. If they enjoyed it, I don't think it's wasteful. Most kids won't be college athletes and certainly won't be pro athletes. Music is more fluid and there are ways to incorporate it into your life even if you aren't a "pro."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not wrong and no one is working against me personally. And they is the people who run these activities. As I said you would change your tune if it was your kid

Please name one activity owner that is working against you? Most are neighborhood owned and operated. No one is trying to get rich and keep you out. That is a ridiculous concept. These are neighborhood small businesses, even the chains like Little Gym, are locally owned. The costs are reflective of overhead. If you live in the DC Metro, the costs are rent, insurance, labor, and sky high workmans comp insurance. There is no budget line for keep out your kids. It is endemic to the area. Rec centers and the ymca offer free classes to those that need assistance.

i gave you sources and I never said anyone specifc was working against me. I really don't understand why or how you don't think activity costs have gotten out of control? But whatever I guess you'll never get it.

If you are a Christian, check out BSF after COVID is over. It’s an interdenominational Bible study with a free childcare program. It was started in China, and attracts a lot of English learners, because they have groups in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish. The caretakers are the same each week, and are all wonderful. Right now it’s virtual, and my kid is in no way interested. Normally, he loves going! All free, and I have never been in a position to donate. The teachers have no idea, and love my kid the same as everyone else.