Hi, I am wondering if there are any of you who live on a budget and such but still let your child/children do dance classes? We have a daughter who loves to dance at home and have thought about doing dance classes in the Fall but it cost so much. We could do it but we would have to pinch else where so any thoughts??

Thanks, Susan

My daughters both did dance for two years until they moved on to another activity. It was pricey, but it was their only activity at the time. I think kids benefit from their activities so long as they are not too much or heavily scheduled.

If you can afford it by rearranging your budget, I think you will enjoy it. Just so you know -- in addition to the cost of the class the recital outfits cost more.

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Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8.5), Hannah (7), and John(5)

See if the YMCA does a class. Do a trial class before you sign up. I paid the first month's tuition and the registration fee only to have my youngest daughter take only two classes because she didn't like it afterall.

My 6 year old is in ballet classes, which cost us $35 a month. Sometimes it is really hard to fit it into the budget, but we try our best to do it, because she enjoys it so much. It is the only activity that she is in, and we like keeping her involved in an activity that she really likes. Some people at the dance school that she goes to have their kids in several classes at once. They must be paying over $100 a month to do that!! We can afford one class, but that's it. There are a few extras too, such as the costume for the recital($35), and tights, and ballet shoes, etc...

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SAHM TO 2 GIRLS
6 years and 19 months

We're doing gymnastics (dance didn't fly with our daughter) ... we are dedicated to her doing it as she enjoys it and is improving with each lesson. It isn't so much the monthly rate that hurts but more of the 1 trip there and 1 hour trip back that kind of hurts.

we try and not let ou budgeting get in the way of our kids activities. I want them to have as many experiences as they can...
Its easier said than done but I would rather cut back in other areas to make it happen.

Dance is my one budget buster! Both my girls are big into dance and yes I pay $180 a month for dance I do make it up in the budget (usually in grocery money) or do some overtime to catchup. The dance school has a "shoe exchange" so that helps with shoe costs.
Katie

Kids activities are so worth the money!!! I would do whatever possible so my kids can participate in whatever activities they want to. When my girls were younger, they were both in dance and had been for several years. One year I just could not figure out how we would swing it, so I talked to the dance teacher and she let me do some work for her preparing costumes in exchange for both my girls' tuition. I only had to pay for their costumes.

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~Happiness is a large family~

my girls take dance thru the City here! it is only 100$ for the school year.
they are also in Gymnastics wich it a lot more but they go 5 hours total a week (2.5 hours each time) tho that is a lot more 100$ a month for each kid!
I do believe in activiites for kids Are a good thing!

see if the local rec programs have dance classes they tend to be less costly

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Kelly mom to 3 great girls A Peanut, a monkey and a little burrito.

Many moms at my daughters' dance school volunteer their time to get free or reduced tuition. They either answer phones, sit at the front desk during class or even do weekly cleaning (bathrooms, mirrors, etc.) while their child is in class. Do you feel comfortable asking about that? Just a thought!

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Lori

Mommy to ggg triplets born on 1-30-01