Reply to Do kids really not get less expensive after the daycare years?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our kids go to private school. We have a nanny. The kids have a ton of after-school activities that they love.

Could they go to public school and then just aftercare and zero activities? Sure. I don't necessarily want them to live that lifestyle though. [/quote]

There’s a whole world of lifestyles out there in between private school with a nanny and nonstop activities and after care + zero activities. My kids go to a great public school and don’t need a nanny because DH and I have the flexibility to take them to their activities after school ourselves. DH coaches their sports and I volunteer through scouts. They also do swim, play dates, outings to the trampoline park, etc. Spending more money to outsource doesn’t necessarily mean a better lifestyle for your kids. [/quote]

I mean, this is subjective. We also live in an area with “great” public schools. Our kids privates are just 1000000 times better in terms of diversification of learning, opportunities to dig deep, reading books and talking about them, researching, learning about science and history and doing field trips and enrichment activities. They actually make it fun and exciting. We’ve been in MCPS and this didn’t happen. It just did not. It was math worksheets and a dumbed down reading curriculum. And their activities are tennis, with private coaching, art and music and other sports. We picked the best coaches and programs. One of my kids has major special needs that have required tutoring intensively, therapies and a special school. He has cost far far more than daycare each year. So it really all depends and it all really depends on what you can afford. But the idea that some things aren’t better, I mean, if that makes you feel good about it, I guess. I’m sure there’s an argument that smaller classes, better teachers, more involvement is actually better, though. So it’s a silly thing to try to prove. [/quote]

I’m not sure what your point is with this follow up. But in your original post you acted as if not having private school and a nanny meant your kids had some inferior “lifestyle” with zero activities. My response was that there are nice lifestyles for kids that don’t involve these expenses.

I went to a top private in a different city for a few years and there are downsides that my family would not choose. I hated that my friends were so spread out/lived far away in traffic. Also, I had a SAHM and thought it was odd how many kids there were basically raised by nannies.

My kids have a really idyllic lifestyle in a close-in walkable neighborhood. Many of their friends are in walking/biking distance of our house so lots of impromptu get togethers with other families. Also, DH and I don’t want a nanny to take our kids to activities. We are the ones coaching/volunteering (well up until the point they’ve joined travel sports), I am the one home with them after school. I know their friends’ parents, not the nanny.

We still have plenty of money leftover to take them on interesting trips, for travel sports, etc. So far they haven’t needed tutoring (they are gifted and do well academically).

It’s nice that you’ve found what works for your family, but it’s absolutely silly to insist that private school and a nanny is some sort of necessary expense for kids to have a nice lifestyle. Sounds like you’re trying really hard to justify the money you are spending as if it’s so superior.[/quote]

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