There are times I think what the heck? And not just the money, there's also my time. Spending an entire weekend at the activity isn't my idea of fun. But then I keep on paying and keep on going to events b/c I'm happy that my kids each have a sport they're so passionate about. I never felt anything like that growing up or had a real passion. We're in the here and now, not thinking how it'll pay off in the future.

But that said, I'm 50 now and realized how I'm growing tired of it all. I am looking forward to the day it ends. I see how other (younger and/or SAHM) moms get excited to travel and make mini-vacations out of it, where I'm just get me home.

Agree that ideally you either shut it down from the start, or go all in until the end. But to be honest, I still somewhat resent my parents, who had the means but decided it wasn't the lifestyle they wanted for our family, for not even letting me try. If I ever need to make a similar decision for my kids, I'll do everything I can to make it work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's far better situation than having one playing video games and using e-cigs which will likely lead to heroin and a life living on the streets. So we see it as a positive way to keep him on the right track!

Wow, this PP really went from video games to e-cigs to heroin to life on the streets.

Yeah, quite the jump there. One day the kid is vaping and playing fortnite and the next he's strung out on heroin and passed out in the streets.

Yale (lacrosse team) or jail!

When my DS started getting more serious and I realized we were looking at a time and financial commitment I had a serious talk with my DH. We said we either need to start to shut it down, or make a decision that we were all in. My DS loved the sport, and like a previous poster, deals with social anxiety so we went with it. He is playing in college now and it has taught him discipline and hard work and he has made great friends. So, we don’t regret it at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's far better situation than having one playing video games and using e-cigs which will likely lead to heroin and a life living on the streets. So we see it as a positive way to keep him on the right track!

Wow, this PP really went from video games to e-cigs to heroin to life on the streets.

Yeah, quite the jump there. One day the kid is vaping and playing fortnite and the next he's strung out on heroin and passed out in the streets.

And the ironic thing about this poster is that a large number of youth heroin use is due to a kid with a sports injury or overuse pain getting hooked on pain meds and transferring to heroin when the meds for their sports injury run out.

Gamers get their high from gaming addictions, not drug use.

No. My kids had/has insane social anxiety. His sports helped him make friends, fit in, and he is good at it. Not good enough to be a pro, but he is a star player on his college team and it helped him fit in college and keeps him on track. But, our situation might be unique.

Not sure how old she is, but it is time to talk seriously about the college trade-offs. She should at least know what it is she is giving up by spending the money now. And worry about your retirement.

Anonymous wrote:Hate to say it, but think about the expense *before* you decide to let your kid start an expensive sport.

When we started, we didn't dream it would lead to where we are now. Recreationally, not expensive. Competing at the levels she is now, super expensive. I wouldn't take it away from her and don't complain to her about the $, we are supportive. I'm just venting and feeling like graduation is around the corner and we should be more focused on her future outside of the sport.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's far better situation than having one playing video games and using e-cigs which will likely lead to heroin and a life living on the streets. So we see it as a positive way to keep him on the right track!

Wow, this PP really went from video games to e-cigs to heroin to life on the streets.

Yeah, quite the jump there. One day the kid is vaping and playing fortnite and the next he's strung out on heroin and passed out in the streets.

Anonymous wrote:It's far better situation than having one playing video games and using e-cigs which will likely lead to heroin and a life living on the streets. So we see it as a positive way to keep him on the right track!

Wow, this PP really went from video games to e-cigs to heroin to life on the streets.

It's far better situation than having one playing video games and using e-cigs which will likely lead to heroin and a life living on the streets. So we see it as a positive way to keep him on the right track!

Hate to say it, but think about the expense *before* you decide to let your kid start an expensive sport.

Nope. We didn't pay for this so she'd become an Olympian. We pay for it because she loves it and we can afford it. If we couldn't afford it, we wouldn't have done it.

Happy to do it.

Parents of kids involved in expensive sports, do you ever question the amount of money you're spending when you know your kid is not going to the Olympics or going to play the sport professionally?


We are in deep and I'm wondering where this is going and that we should be putting more money away for college instead, but its too late. She works so hard, trains daily, loves it and it good at it. But, ugh, my bank account is sad.