Children's activities that are a money pit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the ruiner of dreams.

So many parents I know think their dc has a chance to be a professional in whatever sport the kid is interested in. The number of deluded adults I know is amazing. They don't realize the staggering odds against their dc making it on anything beyond a high school team. I've seen parents discuss this at sporting events and saw one mom cry and a dad walk away enraged when a group was discussing how unlikely any of us would know a kid who made it in professional baseball or football.

Forget tennis. If your kid isn't playing competitive tournaments by 9 or 10 you are sol. Even then the probability of your child doing anything other than making a high school team is so so small.

In the burbs here, it is not unusual for parents to pay for private coaching for little league.

I would add some of these sports cause injuries and are not good for development. In particular, ballet once you get to toe shoes, gymnastics and ice skating. Very hard on joints.

[Anonymous]

All of them.

Unless your kid has natural talent, the activities are fun and add vale while they are being done but lifelong it's just the value of having learned the skill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That seems pretty reasonable compared to some other activities.

We're still on the little kids team. I've seen the fee schedule for the teenagers--3-4k plus travel expenses to meets. And then there is spring/summer team which is additional.

Ours is around 2K for the winter season (Oct-May) 3x per week plus the the cost of a swimsuit (and a team suit ($40-50) if you want to participate in meets--optional) and we are constantly replacing goggles. Of course, as with anything, you could spend a fortune on state of the art swimsuits and personal training equipment, but that is totally unnecessary, and they always sell extra stuff you might be tempted to buy, so you could end up spending a lot of money on "stuff," but your child could also enjoy the full benefit of the sport for the cost of registration plus 1-2 swimsuits/season.

If you want to do travel meets you can and that would cost more for you, but the regular meets are optional and local (no more than 1-hour drive from DC), and there is no additional cost to participate (other than the team suit). Meets are a time suck though -- we've done three day meets before with 1 hour drive each way/each day for 4-hour meets each day. Bring your lap top or a book! Again, that is optional -- you could skip the meet or just sign up for the races available to your child on one day.

[Anonymous]

Once you start paying for private, one-on-one coaching, anything and everything will be expensive. For example, I have a friend whose daughter is a very good softball pitcher, probably the best in her age group in town. She does one-on-one coaching 2x per week; you have to pay for the coaches time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great thread. I'm wondering the same thing. While we're at it (and not to hijack, but it's the obvious corollary): what are some of the non-money sucking activities?

Recreational baseball and soccer - - registration is less than $100, and there are always deals on the minimal personal equipment you need to play. Grade schools all seem to have no-cut sports teams that are free, but for the cost of tennis shoes -- ours has basketball, track and cross country.

[Anonymous]

Our child is switching from gymnastics (more than $6000/year) to swimming. Swimming is less expensive.

[Anonymous]

Private coaching and travel in any sport are expensive.

Ski racing and other snow sports are pretty pricey, but not too popular in this region!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Private coaching and travel in any sport are expensive.

Ski racing and other snow sports are pretty pricey, but not too popular in this region!

My brother lives in Maine. His kids after school activity is skiing because it's so inexpensive. 3x/week, includes bus transportation from school to the mountain, supervised homework room, snack, locker rental, lift ticket, and 30 min lesson if desired.--$300 for Dec -Mar. All the kids in school participate in the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are horses expensive because you pay the coach a lot or paying for the horse upkeep or ownership?

Both! and the horse show fees....

Expensive "pony," boarding fees, riding instructor, vet bills, farrier bills, expensive saddle/tack, mane/tail braiding, trailer to shows, horse show fees….

[Anonymous]

Nothing is more expensive than horses. Not even close.

[Anonymous]

Horses, ballet (serious/age 13+ or competition studios), ice hockey.

[Anonymous]

Equestrian sports are by far the most expensive because you're either purchasing and maintaining your own horse or "renting" one for lessons and practice.

Ice hockey is expensive (equipment & he cost of renting rink time) but it's been a wonderful experience for my brother who is in his 20's and still plays 2x a week with adult rec leagues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing is more expensive than horses. Not even close.

Sailing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the ruiner of dreams.

So many parents I know think their dc has a chance to be a professional in whatever sport the kid is interested in. The number of deluded adults I know is amazing. They don't realize the staggering odds against their dc making it on anything beyond a high school team. I've seen parents discuss this at sporting events and saw one mom cry and a dad walk away enraged when a group was discussing how unlikely any of us would know a kid who made it in professional baseball or football.

Forget tennis. If your kid isn't playing competitive tournaments by 9 or 10 you are sol. Even then the probability of your child doing anything other than making a high school team is so so small.

In the burbs here, it is not unusual for parents to pay for private coaching for little league.

I would add some of these sports cause injuries and are not good for development. In particular, ballet once you get to toe shoes, gymnastics and ice skating. Very hard on joints.

This is spot on. My poor parents paid thousands of dollars on tennis lessons for my sister and me, and we both only played on our high school team. I will NOT fall into this trap with my kids!

[Anonymous]

^^^Couldn't you say that about any activity? Let's say you pay $20K in lessons for a kid to learn to play the piano, and the kid doesn't become a professional, but likes likes music, plays socially, and has a nice time. I would not think that was a waste of money.

I don't think most parents are trying to get professional athletes, singers, etc. There is certainly no money to be earned in some of the most expensive activities like horseback riding, ice skating, or martial arts.

I have my kids in tennis lessons because I think they will have a nice time and will learn a game they might enjoy through life. My kids play some local tournaments and mostly hangout with friends. I won't pay to travel to tournaments. But I don't spend more than my neighbors who's kids play hokey or travel sports.

Overall, any activity is going to be a "money pit" once you try to take it to the Nth degree (additional lessons/coaching, travelling to competitions, upgraded equipment, etc.).