I don't know how many of you remember back 2 years ago - pre-covid days - when the lil one tried out for the competitive dance team at her dance school..... and got a spot on the team! We were prepared for the cost (sort of) and the demands on all of us....
Of course the competition got cancelled in 2020......... The lil one hasn't been in dance class since then.... only started back this fall.
We got notification of this year's competitive dance - it is in April and in Niagara Falls!!??? that's a 6 hour drive from home. And to make it worse - it runs from the Thursday to the Sunday which means - are you ready for this? 3 days out of school and 4 nights in a hotel for all of us. Sir Steve and I were in shock..... we are looking at a bill of close to $1,000 just for the hotel! never mind food and costumes and finding somewhere for the dog............. RIDICULOUS!!
So Sir Steve and I made a tough decision - our lil one will not be dancing in the competition. Sir Steve contacted the school and explained the distance was just not do-able. (usually the competitions are about 2 hours from home) The school says they understood our withdrawal and tried to explain their choice by saying they haven't danced in 2 years. Yes ....... so???? And then they said they think there may be another dance competition in June 2 hours from us. So why?? are they insisting on the Niagara competition??!! I'm thinking it is a whole lot more about the school's name/status than anything to do with the girls dancing.... especially 9 year olds who just do it for fun/exercise.
Tonight Sir Steve will talk about it with the lil one and explain why she's not going..... another lesson on the realities of life.........
Yes it's too much! Mind if I rant along? These 'kids' programs is a money making scam. Yes, there are some benefits for the kids. But uniforms, equipment, pictures and it goes on and on. I never let my kids get in any traveling programs and they could only do one thing at a time. I flat told them, I have a life too and being a constant chauffeur isn't it. I don't mean to go on and on, but my kids are grown and I'm still mad.
ReplyDeletenodding furiously with you PK - my girls did one thing a year and they HAD to finish the year even if they decided they didn't like it...
Deletethe lil one is in dance and swimming - mostly for health reasons (her sugar levels) none of it was to be taken seriously....... and the year they wanted her to try out for competitive dance I had reservations..... honestly she's not fluid enough to be really good at it! ya know what I mean?? she loves it and I want her to dance for the love it nothing more.....
We have been to one recital - 3 years ago - and I was NOT that impressed with any - ANY - of the dances.... not the lil ones (they were cute) or the older ones (they were boringggg)
Argh, I don't have kids in school but school is expensive! So much for free education with 'so called' school 'donations' not to mention stationery, especially when the kids are expected to have devices.
ReplyDeleteThen there are class trips, camps and activities such as sport teams etc. Some families really struggle.
Hugs
Roz
We're very lucky here - our school board covers all day to day expenses - we don't even have to supply a pencil!! class trips etc are extra...
DeleteBut anyone who thinks raising children is easy/ cheap needs a wake up call
Odd when I was in school we bulleted out or they arranged for us to have competition s after university and colleges. Were let out so we paid a fee to stay in dorm rooms.
ReplyDeleteMy boys competed in out if town competitions but only in highschool so they needed chaperones not all parents . Of course they were much older- I wouldn't want my 10 year old gone that long without me or a friend there.
oh we have to be there willie - which is why the cost is so high.... AND Sir Steve has to take 3 days off work without pay...... GAH! it's just ridiculous
DeleteThat is a hefty bill for a school to ask people to cough up. I think it is unfair of them. A lot of people cannot afford that kind of money and it is going to leave a lot of kids disappointed that they cannot go.
ReplyDeletePrefectdt
From reading between the lines of the email between the dance school and Sir Steve - we're not the only family that won't be participating... but it's so damn disappointing for the kids....
DeleteHopefully they will have a closing recital in June - for our lil one going on stage to perform is all that matters.
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