^^ and I am happy its not a horse!!

OP here thanks for the responses. We have some concerns buying piano used as there could be issues with tuning etc.

I bought a $4500 violin and bow for my child after many years of renting muffled cheapies. It has a very big sound and can project across a concert hall, which came in useful when she had a solo at the Strathmore Music Center.
I did not buy the $9000, better-sounding one, because she's still in fractional sizes and she's going to outgrow it in a few years.

My point is, you get what you pay for usually, so whether it's to prevent injury or allow for better performance, it's always a good idea to buy the best equipment you can afford.

Tell us what it is and we'll help!

Your premise makes no sense. You're already saving money by only having one child! Only buying an expensive instrument if you had a second child to pass it on to would be much more expensive because of the fact that you had that second child in the first place...

Buy used. Don't invest in top-end equipment until the kid has demonstrated some commitment.

I have one child. He wanted to take piano lessons. I found a free, good condition piano. With moving costs and tuning, it was still a $500+ investment. If he gives it up, I'll pass it along in a few years.

We are pretty willing to go the mile for most sincere interests. If you can buy used, do it. If you can't then resell if interest is lost.

Buying used. Unless your child asks for a horse to take equestrian lessons, pretty much all other equipment for sports and the arts can be find used and way cheaper than the sticker price.

It depends on what it is. We have an only who has expensive music gear. We started with a crappy one and when we saw commitment we got an expensive one. Not fair to say you don't want to and punish an only.

I think it depends how expensive, and how long you think they will pursue it. Personally one of the joys of having an only child for me is to not sweat this kind of stuff too much, within reason. If they seemed sincere about it I’d give them the benefit of the doubt, but also look for used/cheaper options. At the end of the day, this is sports or music gear or the like, which I consider enriching, not spoiling.

Anonymous wrote:This is not about an only child. The advice would be the same.

This.

If you have the means, there is no reason not to allow your only child to pursue their interests. There will undoubtedly be some that they lose interest in, but that is just part of the process. Instruments are very easy to find used and I would imagine the same could be said for most athletic equipment. Also, remember, you don't have to invest in getting top of the line equipment until they've demonstrated a sustained interest in the activity.

I grew up an only child and got into equestrian sports, so I can certainly sympathize with the potential costs you may incur by allowing your child to pursue their interests.

This is not about an only child. The advice would be the same.

Anonymous wrote:Buy used. Clean it.

+1 I would have the same advice for someone with multiple kids because it's unlikely two kids would want to try the same thing. They would never made it that easy on us.

Buy used. Clean it.

What would you do if your DC wants to start learning an instrument or sport that needs buying expensive equipment? It’s difficult to rent gear especially now during covid times and we are concerned if we buy and DC loses interest we are talking $$ how can we recoup maybe sell it? I want to encourage DC but at the same time finding it hard to justify the cost when there are no younger siblings to potentially pass on to. Interested to hear from parents btdt of single child or possibly youngest child.