Does your child do extracurriculars?

[Jnc91]

If yes, how old is your child and how much does it cost? What are the positives and negatives?

If no, how old is your child and how come? Do you wish they could be in one?

My son is 3 1/2 yrs and bas been doing year round swimming for about 9 months. It started out with swim classes to teach him to swim but he just thrives in class. The instructor feels he has a lot of potential such as surfing or racing as he gets older. It's $210 for 6 weeks at 2x a week (each lesson is 30 min). So 12 lessons for $210. It's expensive but it is "his" sport. This is where his interest is. Besides cost (and the lessons could be longer lol, ds would stay all day if allowed) it's an absolutely amazing activity for ds.

Come share

[AngelNCO]

Quoting AngelNCO:

Both my boys are in Hockey. It's an additional full-time job for my husband and I, LOL. My husband coaches and us mom's keep busy making sure jamboree's are successful and filling in at the concession stand. It's fun, it keeps the boys and us busy in these long winter months, it builds confidence, teaches them what it means to be part of a team, and it's a great way for us to meet other parents. We have two couples we are very good friends with all thanks to hockey. My boys are 7 and 9 years old. The only downfall is when we have out of town games on school nights. Kids do their homework in the car and dinner consists of fast food, not a huge fan of that but it's only once a week. Other than that, it's a blast! It can get expensive with all the hotel stays and equipment. I'm not looking forward to next year when my boys play different divisions. Dad will be going one way and I the other for weekend tournaments. I'm sure you and your son are having fun with the swimming! My boys also do swimming, hockey camp, and baseball during the summer. For baseball and swimming it's 75$ per kid. Hockey camp this summer will cost us 300$ for 8 days of intense ice time. Not too bad and well worth it.

[luv_my_xiya]

She usually does gymnastics...12 classes, once a.week.for 50 minutes...$102

[Dzyre1115]

 My daughter, eight, takes, ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop.....it costs $140 a month plus expenses, and she goes three nights a week.  My oldest son, eighteen, takes martial arts.....it costs $75 a month, he goes twice a week.

[.Pagan.]

my son just turned three and he is abt to start Soccer. we got his cleats and shin guards yesterday and we have the parent meeting where we find out his team on the 23rd. it cost 20.00. we are also going to put him in karate  soon...i cant remember how much that one is. once he is 4 then he can do t-ball too :) i feel that extracurriculars are important and so we will keep him involved in those things.

[2KoolMama]

My daughter does competition dance.  She is 14 years old.  It cost me about $1200 per year for costumes, competition fees, coreography.  Plus $65 a month for studio classes.  Then there is travel expenses.

My 16 yo son plays Soccer.  It's about $300 a season.

Pros....it keeps them busy and out of trouble.  They know if their grades aren't up they don't participate.  If they get in trouble they don't participate.  It gives them something to be proud of and something to work at.  It makes them a part of a team and they learn that their actions effect the rest of the team.   I'm a big support of sports for kids!    

Cons....it's expensive and you have to schedule vacations around their activities.  

[amanda357]

My oldest is 12 and does baseball soccer and basketball. They range from $100-$500.

My second to oldest who is 9 plays the same as above but his doesn't cost as much since he isn't select.

My third child who is 8 does gymnastics and its $150 every 9 weeks.

My youngest is 2 so she doesn't do anything yet.

[stacie0375]

 Not right now but starting in April my son (age 5 by then he will be 6) will be doing soccer. It is $45 for one season which run about 8 weeks. This summer I am thinking on putting him in martial arts or seeing if they have tennis lessons for this age.

[kansasmom1978]

My 10 yr old son and 6 yr old daughter are in 4H. It's free. They participate year round.  My son also is involved in Special Olympics and it's also free.

[AngieDawn28]

My son plays football-its $125 for the season. This includes the use of all equipment and apparel (we don't have to purchase our sons jerseys, they are re-used every year) I love that he plays and he loves playing. The only thing that gets hectic is practice times. He practices from 5:30 until 7 and on school nights, it makes for a late evening. That honestly is the only downside. He is 9.

My dd cheers, up until now, it has been relatively cheap since she was only in youth. Next year she will actually have to try out for the school's team and I know it gets to be more expensive.

As long as my kids want to participate in extracurricluar sports and activites, I will encourage them. We set money aside year round to be able to pay for these activities for them. It keeps them out of trouble, they get to make friends they may not ordinarily make, and they enjoy it!

[Tiffanydshives]

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