Growing up my siblings and I never received special lessons or classes for music, dance etc. We did participate in school sports and I know that has some cost involved but it was minor. I don't remember lessons or classes even being available to us---we primarily lived in small towns. Would my parents have allowed us to be in such activities if we had showed a passion? Honestly, I don't think so. For a number of reasons. Firstly, the whole idea would have been foreign to them. People they knew just didn't do that sort of thing. Secondly, the financial investment required would have shocked them and most likely scared them away from such an idea.
I always wished that I would have learned to play an instrument or taken dance classes or even gymnastics. To have that "something special" that I did, have my "thing". Because of this I have jumped on any bandwagon my children have shown an interest in, much to my husband's dismay. :o)
We spend a large amount of money annually for our oldest daughter to train as an equestrian. One year when she was 8 I spent my Christmas bonus from work on a pony for her and year's worth of boarding. Is it a financial burden? Absolutely. Would I do it again if I had a second chance? Yes. My daughter has a work ethic that most grown adults lack and she didn't learn it in the classroom but rather at the barn.
That being said, I was taken aback to learn that we'll need to purchase iceskates for our youngest daughter now that she is taking lessons. Apparently rental skates from the ice rink will not cut it according to her coach. Those can't be purchased at Wal Mart. Her coach informed me her skates cost $1,000. WOW!!! Thankfully, Julia will not need that level of skates for some time but again, WOW.
Kids really do suck you dry, financially and emotionally.
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