Expensive hobby - worth it?

[MrsSnape]

My nearly 9 year old has been doing karate since August and is about to take his first grade I'm so pleased as he was getting bullied at school and the karate has completely changed him, his confidence is through the roof, he's keeping busy, getting fit and spending less time on the PC as well as learning how to defend himself.

Anyway he goes twice a week.

My nearly 7 year old has always been a handful, he's seeing a behavioural expert next week in a bid to sort him out before he's suspended from school...anyway on the advice of the karate teacher I let him join the club tonight suspecting that he would hate it and play up....

Anyway, he LOVED it! I've heard nothing but tonights class since he got home...he showed me what he'd learnt and told me to tell the instructor that he needs to start teaching on weekends too!

Trouble is, this is going to work out expensive. If they both go twice a week it's going to cost £15 a week which may not seem a lot but it's quite a bit to me.

BUT if it's worth it for them both, I will pay.

Do you think it's worth it?

[MrsSnape]

should also add that once DS2 was in bed, he was out like a light...not normal for him!

[hunkermunker]

Sounds great.

Martial arts, taught well, can have an amazing effect on children - and adults for that matter!

[expatinscotland]

i think it's well worth it.

[bubblepop]

well worth it

[NAB3littlemonkeys]

Do it! We want to with our son but it is £100 a month and we can't afford that.

[Carmenere]

Definitely worth it, and it would be unspeakably unfair if your older one got to do it and your younger wasn't allowed.

Nab WHY on earth would it cost 100 quid for your son???

[NAB3littlemonkeys]

It is twice a week and that is what they are charging.

[Carmenere]

Well in that case I am going to say that it is not a good club and has money as its motivation and not the art or the students.
My dp is one of the most highly graded martial artists in the country and he charges 7.50 once a week. They are taking the piss and your son is better off not going. Try to find a different club.

[NAB3littlemonkeys]

Will look into it once hubby gets a payrise.

[NAB3littlemonkeys]

It is in a purpose built building and seemed quite good.

[KnockKnockKaloosThere]

Carmenere - perhaps your dp should put his prices up ?

[rockandroll]

Definately worth it, they gain so much for it.

Nab, the club isnt GKR is it?

[Carmenere]

He doesn't want to. He doesn't do it for money and most decent teachers don't. I'm not saying that you won't find decent martial artists that charge more, you will(I think he should put his prices up).
But training doesn't need to be more than once a week and if you have a club that is insisting on two classes a week at for £25 for a child? I think I can safely say that their emphasis is on making money.
No big deal but I would steer my child towards an organisation that wasn't motivated by cash.

[larkspur]

NAB, that sounds a huge amount.
We pay £40 a month for ds (9) to go to karate. It's in a purpose built building, fantastic teacher and ds could go every night Monday to Friday if we wanted him to for that £40 (he generally goes twice a week rising to 3 times just before a grading).

Mrs Snape - could you try it for a bit or do you have to sign up for an extended period? Maybe try for a month and see how ds2 gets on? I agree that the right martial arts training is brilliant - it's done wonders for my son.

[NAB3littlemonkeys]

It is Karate Leadership Uk