For those who have kids in dance ...

[SabrinainPA]

or any extra-curricular activity that you child is really passionate about:

 

Have you ever had to forgo a season (at least) due to finances? How did your child handle it? How did you handle it? My girls are in dance at a college community dance program - the 10 yo is in her fifth year, ballet, jazz, and tap; the 7 yo in her 2nd year of ballet and tap. The training they are receiving is wonderful. They are really dedicated, never complain on the early Saturday mornings I drag them out of bed for the one-hour car ride. But it has always been a stretch financially, and this session would mean putting it on a credit card and paying it off over the months ahead. I am so torn.

[cathmom]

The year my twins were born, my dds did not get to do ballet. They were 9 and 7. I think the year off affected my younger dd more than the older - she picked right back up and is in a class with girls a bit older.

 

What a hard situation! I really don't think putting on a CC is a good idea though. Would grandparents contribute in lieu of birthday/Christmas presents?

[FO4UR]

Will they lose their "spot" and get put on a waiting list if they drop out for a season?

 

If they sat out for a few months, could you save up the money to avoid the credit card?

 

Can you involve the girls in saving the $? Garage sales? Cutting extras like eating out and toys and new clothes????

[abbeyej]

The first thing I would do is to call the director of the program and let her know your position. Mention the length of time your girls have been involved in the program, how much they love it, how far you come to participate, and your current financial dilemma. While it's a tough time of year to appeal for scholarships (many places assign them in the spring or summer for the coming school year), there still may be something they can do -- at the very least, allow you to create a payment plan.

 

The fact that you have a history of commitment to the program is actually pretty big.

 

Also think if there is any skill *you* have that might be useful to the company. I've traded sewing/costume-making skills for a few of my kids' dance classes over the last few years.

 

The worst they can say is "no". But it's absolutely worth a call.

 

On the other hand, the good news is that at 10 and 7, a semester off will not cause them to be hopelessly behind. Even if they do have to take a semester off, they should catch right back up when they start back.

[SabrinainPA]

Thanks for your responses. It is comforting to know others have been through the same thing. We have a house, a car that is paid off, and my husband's job seems stable. But in trying to do better with money, taking a semester off seems like the most reasonable thing. We do not have any other luxuries - no cable, no movie outings, we never eat out. This was our one thing - but it amounts to $1200 per semester, with one tap class for my 9 yo son, tap and ballet for the 7 yo, and ballet, jazz, and tap for the 10 yo. As far as asking my parents, I do not want to burden them. And my MIL was one of the co-founders of the college's dance program. If she found out I asked for assistance, well, I may as well dig a hole and throw my own body in. She already heaps criticism our way over how we live. (Put the kids in school, and get a real job so you can have all the "necessary" things in life.) Anyway, chin up! The girls will be fine. Thanks again.

[CactusPair]

Can you cut back to just one class per kid for awhile? Maybe that would help.....

[Parrothead]

Dd had to sit out two seasons due to moving. The first season we moved in November and it took us almost 6 months to find a dance school. The next move, we had to sit out because the one school we knew about wouldn't let her in since the dancers were already working on recital.

 

She understood. Now we are in our second consecutive year. I'm hoping if/when we move again it is in the summer.

[camibami]

We're moving so we won't be at our gym next year, but if we were, we'd be in this spot. We just simply can't squeeze any more $$ for gymnastics out of the budget- I have a pt job already to pay for what we do now. But next year its another level, more hours, 4 new routines choreographed...we couldn't do it. If for some reason we stay here, I plan to just tell the coach that DD cannot train any more hours, due to finances. It will put her "behind" the other girls in her level, but what can you do?? I would also ask to help out at gym birthday parties/clean the gym/whatever to pay for the increased hours, but ultimately, we just couldn't do it.

 

I can commisserate- it stinks to have a talented kid who could go so far, yet can't because the classes/coaching/travel is too expensive. I almost wish she just stunk- it would be easier to have to quit!!

[lmrich]

I would ask around in your area for a closer and cheaper dance class. There is a 16 year-old homeschool girl that teaches ballet and dance in her "home studio". She charges $5.00 a class. Just an out of the box idea for you.

[SabrinainPA]

This was an idea I had, too. Since my children are being taught by student interns, I thought I could ask one to tutor in my home. Thanks.

[coffeefreak]

WOW! That's a LOT of money! There's a couple of studios here that would charge me that much, and the drive would be horrendous! My dd is in a local, small studio and I really like the owner and teachers. The odds of most kids going "pro" in ANY sport is slim anyway (I took until HS when they told me there was no way with my build I could ever dance professionally).

 

If you think there's a chance your kids might want to pursue it further, there's still time. I knew people in college who had never had a day of dance and they took it as an extra curricular. They were so good, they went on to become professionals/teachers/choreographers etc.

 

For my dd that doesn't dance, we're in a similar situation. She was doing Gymnastics and was at the age where she would have gone twice a week and competed. We told her no because we knew she was not "that interested." She wants to do horseback riding and LOVES horses. However, $120 + a month is a lot to us right now. She's being very patient and we're going to wait one more year. She understands that we just can't do everything, but eventually, she'll be able to take lessons.

 

Blessings!

[HappyGrace]

Classes moved up to a mandatory two lessons per wk and we couldn't swing it without cutting ourselves short in other areas. She is only 9, so we figured it wouldn't kill her to miss it for a year. In the meantime we are paying off all debt (except house). She was very sad at first, but very understanding. She has continued practicing pretty consistently (at least once a week) in her room, which has showed us this is more than just a passing interest and makes us feel good about spending the money when she does go back. Dh says she can go back in the fall.

 

Before making the decision we thought about finding a cheaper and closer place (decided against it since she wanted somewhere that was JUST ballet, and also this place is the best training.)

 

Another idea that I tried was writing to the school and asking if they offered scholarships, to plz let us know. I never heard back (which kind of ticked me off a little, actually!)

 

I also remember at dd's old ballet school there was a mom who cleaned the bathrooms, office, mopped the lobby floor, etc., while her dd was in her lesson, in exchange for the lesson, so maybe that's an option?

[learning2gether]

My 13 yo dd is a competitive ballroom dancer. We recently took several months off from lessons due to finances. Lessons are $35 an hour and she was averaging 2 hours a week. She not only missed the lessons during this time but 2 competitions also. We explained the situation to her and she understood. She ended up joining the praise dance team at church while on break has really enjoyed it. She just started lessons again last month, but with the agreement that we will only pay for 1 hour per week. She is also about to start teaching a class for beginners and will use that money to help cover her dance expenses.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Would the instructor consider trading your daughter assisting in the younger classes for a break in tuition? Is there anyway that she (or possibly you) could volunteer to assist with tasks for a discount or a couple free classes? I'm thinking of things like sorting and labeling recital costumes, cleaning the studio, working backstage at recital, or any other jobs that might be labor intensive but not directly tied to ability in dance.