My kids are breaking me!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
My kids are breaking me!
15
Tue, 09-16-2008 - 7:16pm

Hi ladies,


I haven't posted in well over a year but i do check in from time to time. DD almost 15 is killing me with her wish lists of things and her schedule. She is in two bands at school and one of them we have to drive her b/c practice is at 7 a.m., she is in a youth group that meets Wed, piano on Tuesdays and dance on Thursdays. She is in an enhanced program at school that can be demanding at times but she is doing very well.


DD 12 so far is only in the same youth group but is also starting swimming twice a week. ODD wants everything under the sun and i feel bad when i can't give it to her. She would like to go on a "field trip" with the school in April and it is $2500.00, yes it is a great experience but please. She would love to have

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2004
Tue, 09-16-2008 - 9:52pm
I know what you mean.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 1:02am

I know exactly how you feel! Mom can I do this? Mom can I do that? Gee Mom, this so-and-so is really cool! Both of my kids are very good when I say something is "not in the budget" but I hate saying it. Not that EVERY kid doesn't deserve every opportunity that can be given them but I feel an extra sense of responsibility to my kids because they have both been identified as gifted. In order to help them reach their full potential, they need exposure to extra things and outside classes for kids at their level.

We spend probably $2000/year on swimming, $300/year on scouts, $1000/year on gifted classes, and there are other things I can't even think of right now. Aaaaack!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 1:10am

Kelly Kelly Kelly


I was thinking about you a few weeks ago and wondering where you dissapeared to.


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Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 6:57am
I know what you mean.

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 8:14am

I can so relate to what you are saying.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 9:20am

DD babysits whenever she is asked to but out here they only pay $5-6 per hour. In band they have to buy their shirts and i went to give her the money yesterday but she had already paid for it. I feel bad b/c i don't think she should have to buy these types of things so of course i paid her back. I don't want her to get a job yet b/c she is going to work for most of her life so why push it now. Summer 2009 she will be gone the month of August to an L.I.T. program so she can be a camp counsellor the following summer. This will be $1800.00. At least with dance we get a $500.00 tax credit for each of the girls for sports.


DD is also in enhanced or gifted classes in high school. She loves the program but the extras are killing me yet i wouldn't dream of asking her to give them up. Next year she can take advanced placement exams and earn a university credit while still in high school.


What instrument does your son play?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2008
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 12:17pm

Sometimes it's a good thing for kids to pay for things. Mine don't have any disposable income but when they do I will expect them to contribute for things they are desperate to have.

My kids extras are killing us right now. One son is in brass band and taking music lessons as well as music school on Saturdays. The next plays 3 instruments and does music school. My DD is in dance and gymnastics and is now trialling for a gymnastic squad and the fees are murder. Not to mention the dance show costumes/tickets. The youngest does a lunch club at school and that costs me for lunch and the hour wraparound care 3 times a week.

When you type it all out it seems even scarier.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 2:41pm

Connor makes $6 per hour babysitting.

Avatar for bradleyteach
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2001
Thu, 09-18-2008 - 7:01am

Kelly, I think that most of us can relate to this!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Thu, 09-18-2008 - 7:09am
Truer words have never been spoken!

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