Feel bad

**Wendy99** · 12-02-2009, 07:48 PM

I feel so bad. I dont have money to put my daughter in gymnastics. I could put it on the line of credit, and I am comtemplating that .. she only does it once year as it is because I can't afford more than that. My dh hasnt got ANY overtime this year and we are feeling it.

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-02-2009, 07:51 PM

If you qualify your parks and rec or youth assisstance may be able to help or let you go free. Your community center will have info.

**Wendy99** · 12-02-2009, 07:53 PM

I checked last year and there is no assistance for this

**Palooka** · 12-02-2009, 08:02 PM

Say what? My daughter took tumbling and gymnastics for years and in competition. It cost thousands, but her dad had the money and insisted!

I can't say it was all fairies and dreams. She came home crying many times and sometimes I wonder if all those competitions set her up for her eating disorder. Gymnastics is one of the most expensive sports ever to put a child in. I would re-think and see if there can be some type of replacement for this activity?

If you are talking even junior high or high school....that is crazy to put it on a credit card. (yes camp and uniforms cost a ton)

Volleyball was way cheaper and even track.

**lottaLove** · 12-02-2009, 08:10 PM

I would hold off on the gymnastics. The cost looks like it might be more than the initial cost alone. There is gas to take her to practices, uniforms, equipment, any trips they go on etc.

While I understand it is heartbreaking not to put your children in what they really want (my DS wants hockey, gets soccer instead) IMHO it's not practical to sink the family for the sake of a recreational activity. This year has been rough for everyone, maybe next year will be better.

**Wendy99** · 12-02-2009, 08:14 PM

The cost is $150 inclusive .. she is 8 years old and loves it. It's in town where we live.

**Nishu** · 12-02-2009, 08:18 PM

You'll both get over it. I took my kids out of everything they were involved in and I don't regret it for a second. They're 8 and 5 and they have plenty of time to get into all that stuff when they're a little older.

**Palooka** · 12-02-2009, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Wendy99

The cost is $150 inclusive .. she is 8 years old and loves it. It's in town where we live.

So that's it, only 150? That doesn't include all the practises and uniforms and car washes? Just curious.

So what organization is this through then?

**lisaflex** · 12-02-2009, 08:28 PM

if the poor thing loves it....there may be a way to fnd the $$$. sending good wishes your way so that you can sign her up.

**Wendy99** · 12-02-2009, 08:28 PM

Yes it's $150 inclusive (includes absolutely everything), there are no uniforms required whatsoever, no travelling, no fund raising - not a penny more. They can wear whatever they want - she just wears shorts and a tshirt from home. She only does it once a year (this would be her 3rd year). She really wanted to do dance for the past few years, but I simply cannot afford that at all - it's probably 3times the cost (this was the alternative). My kids aren't involved in any other activities during the winter aside from swimming lessons. I'm leaning towards putting it on the line of credit and paying for it within the next few pays after Christmas (Christmas is the reason it's a bit tight around here, plus the lack of overtime etc). We usually get money from our grandparents for Christmas $50 - $100 I could put that towards it as well, it would be a nice gift for me to be able to let her do that.

**Nishu** · 12-02-2009, 08:32 PM

Then call up her grandparents and ask them to pay for it.

Your daughter may love gymnastics, but gymnastics is not required to be a happy, healthy child. It won't be the end of the world if she skips it this year.

**Neeley** · 12-02-2009, 08:49 PM

If you see that you can pay it off in a timely manner and it really won't cause any hardships, I would sign her up. It sounds like something she really enjoys and something you really want to do for her. I think activities, whether they are gymnastics, football or art classes, are a wonderful thing for kids. Personally, the happiness and joy taking the class brings my child would be worth way more to me than the cost of the class.

Big hugs to you. Try not to feel bad. Everyone is having a little tougher time these days, you're not alone.

**Wendy99** · 12-02-2009, 08:49 PM

No, I would never call and ask someone else to pay for it, we are her parents, if she goes we will provide. I dont feel comfortable doing that. However what I mean is that our grandparents (her great grandparents) usually give us a card with $50 - $100 in it as my dh and mine Christmas present. I could put that towards it after Christmas. I feel badly that we don't have the money upfront for it right now, but I think I would feel worse if we didnt put her in. I realize it's a want, not a need, but sometimes wants are important too. She really enjoys it and its one of the 'cheaper' things we could do right now (like I said in lieu of dance). I don't know, I guess I'm just thinking outloud.

**joyofsix** · 12-02-2009, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Nishu

Then call up her grandparents and ask them to pay for it.

Your daughter may love gymnastics, but gymnastics is not required to be a happy, healthy child. It won't be the end of the world if she skips it this year.

Yep, I'd call and ask them to help and call it her Christmas present. I understand wanting to give opportunities but she'll be fine without it and might find another passion if left to her own devices. It's not worth debt. I had a 'balance' beam made out of two pieces of masking tape on my bedroom floor 4" wide. When I got the chance in jr high to be on a school team I was fine.

**sinopa27** · 12-02-2009, 08:53 PM

I feel your pain. I had to take my daughter out of Karate. She has been taking it since she was 4 and was very talented in it. Now, they have specials that last so many weeks. I may try to budget it for another time. I hope you find a solution and realize that it's ok to skip this year and try to budget it for next time.