Kids after school activites... when is enough?

onlyroz

My son has piano lessons at around £150 a term and swimming lessons at around £80 a term, so that's around £700 a year. He also tried out judo at £40 a term but he didn't like it and so stopped. My daughter will get the same opportunities when the time comes if she wants them and can focus for long enough for them to be worthwhile. For me I think that's it for the expensive activities - if they wanted to go to a cheaper club then that'd be OK but what I'm paying at the moment seems like a lot of money.

As for you - can you afford it? And do the kids enjoy their activities? If the answer to either is no then it might be wise to cut back a little.

loopyloouk

I Think it might be worth me looking at cutting back as its a lot of money a year which could pay for another holiday.

Do you think perhaps one activity each would be more cost effective?

quidsy

it depends on what you want them to get from it.

If they are just doing activities because you think they should then sure, cancel them all. If you think they will get life skills &/or become proficient at something then I wouldn't.

Some kids in my sons school (all boys private) have an activity a DAY, tennis, swimming, rugby, karate, etc, these kids look & act exhausted. Sure the parents can afford it but at what cost to the child. Add in homework & any additional tutoring & these kids have zero down time.

Mine does 3 things a week, Muay thai on Tuesday, Beavers Wednesday & tennis on Saturday afternoon. He has been invited to join rugby on Sunday but tbh, it's too much & he does it already at school so I have said no. The 3 he does give him skills he will need throughout his life (beavers & muay thai) and a sport different from school (tennis) and provides a break from our boring grown up weekend chores. If my son said he wanted to stop any of these I would, there is no point paying if they don't like it. I pay just under £50 for all per month.

So think about what your kids get out of it first & then decide.

19lottie82

I think you should separate the child care (after school club) from the activities.

Realistically, in todays world, that's not too much, it's if you can afford it or not, and if they enjoy it.

If yes, and yes, I don't think there's any harm in it.

My DSD's both go to dance classes twice a week and we are £160 in fees for them a month and that's before costumes, comp entry fees, exam fees and numerous other things that keep popping up.

However, we can afford it, they enjoy it and it keeps them fit.

Person_one

loopyloouk wrote: »

Do you think perhaps one activity each would be more cost effective?

Well it would obviously be cheaper!

It really depends on how much value you and the girls place on these activities. Would the benefit of an additional holiday a year outweigh the downside of dropping their activities? Would they be upset if they were told they had to stop, or to just choose one?

After school activities are a great way to develop skills and talents and make friends with a common interest. Some children turn into teenagers and adults whose 'extra-curricular' activities become their passions and even their careers.

moomoomama27

I think it really depends. I know of parents who shove their children in to every club going, really struggle financially, but think it makes them appear better parents.

It's about reaching a balance, so that they are not too tired, have time for family time, play dates with friends and then doing something they love.

I like to keep after school clubs low cost, so we gave more money to do things together as a family, and create memories, at the same time giving my children the opportunities to make new friends while learning something new, if indulging in a love of sport or art etc.

I'm fortunate that at every school my children have attended, the free after school clubs have been amazing. They do 1-2 school clubs a week, normally based around a sport. Then they go to a club like brownies, guides etc, and then swimming lessons on a Saturday.

We have experimented with kudos, and ballets etc, but it quickly got to the point where they were tired, the commitments, especially ballet etc, were starting to leak into more than 1 evening, especially when they started doing shows and exams.

kingfisherblue

My sons currently do the following:

16 year old with special needs - Deaf Club £1, tuck £1 (but I sometimes get change); mainstream youth club (tuck £1, and I have to stay in the building). My son also likes to come to Slimming World with me, and has taken responsibility for setting up the tea trolley. I don't pay anything, as he doesn't get weighed.

14 year old - Deaf Club, as above; council gym twice a week (free); voluntary work (I give my son £1.50 for a couple of soft drinks)

In the past, they have both been in Scouting. My younger son is also looking for a Silver Award Duke of Edinburgh group, so that will cost a small amount.

After school clubs haven't started yet - older son isn't even back at school until Thursday. It's a new school, so I don't yet know what is available for him. Younger son usually attends model making club at school, at the cost of £1.50 a week.

We also attend various events held by our local kids disability group, which I help to run. Some stuff is free, others cost. I sometimes find that a couple of cups of coffee and soft drinks for the lads is the biggest expense.

I do realise how lucky I am that inexpensive and free activities are available in my area.

PlymouthMaid

It is a lot of dosh but personally I thing the activities are better than 'another holiday' as they are learning great skills and presumably having fun and making friends. Maybe some of the activities will wind down on their own as kids do get bored and like to try different things out. You may be able to switch them into cheaper options like brownies/scouts etc. Once they have learned to swim you could go as a family maybe to keep their skills up. It is great for kids to become adept at extra - curricular activities and a wonderful confidence boost for them.

liney

I don't really think you should add the £13 for after school club: that is childcare, and not optional.

My son has £84 per term guitar lessons and £80 a term tennis lessons which is about £14 a week. He attends sports clubs after school as and when, which are free mostly.

He enjoys them; he interacts with other children and adults; he gets to perform and compete, and I can afford it.

Buttonmoons

DD (8) Has been doing swimming lessons for a few years now, I pay £20 PM, its at an olympic sized pool and she can use her membership card to go swimming at all the public sessions. She wants to try horse riding again, she had a few basic lessons, but I'm a single parent about to start Uni, I can't afford that outgoings and explained to her - £30 a week + All the gear.

She's about to start the trumpet and goes to Brownies on a Wed too. Things can easily add up.