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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To spend £60 on an after school activity when we're a bit tight?

27 replies

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 04/10/2012 10:29

DD aged 8 has come home from school with info for a science based after school thing. 8 sessions over 8 weeks for about 60 pounds.

she never, ever shows interest in any after school clubs...I've tried to encourage her but she's not ever interested.

This one, she came home begging "Can I do it?? Can I?"

I want to say yes and just pay...for the simple reason that she's passionate about it and because science and girls are an important issue...I want to encourage such an interest.

DH says to me "It's too expensive right now."

BUt I feel we should just cough up. AIBU to insist? We could cut back a bit on other things.

OP posts:

Original poster

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 04/10/2012 10:31

More info...DD had selective mutism at her previous school...this is a new school...she's just begun her 2nd year there. She's come out of herself SO much and this is an indication that she has more confidence than ever.

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cozietoesie · 04/10/2012 10:31

If you can cut back a bit on other things - I would. (That's if you're sure that she's interested in the course and not just going because eg her BF wants to go or something.)

Original poster

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 04/10/2012 10:31

No she never even checked if her friend or anyone she knows is going. She was asking right away....

OP posts:

AlmostAHipster · 04/10/2012 10:32

I would let her do it and make savings elsewhere. Does it all have to be paid upfront?

cozietoesie · 04/10/2012 10:32

Sorry - cross post. Then I'd go for it. If she's coming out of herself, the reason for going is pretty well irrelevant in my view if she's likely to get something out of it.

Good luck to her.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 04/10/2012 10:32

If you can cut back on other things then I would do it. It isn't like it is an ongoing commitment to say, ballet lessons or horse riding.

Whoknowswhocares · 04/10/2012 10:33

If you can cut back elsewhere then I would def let her do it. Especially as she doesn't usually want to be involved.

Would prob give her a few chores to do though so she is part of the work/sacrifices needed to be able to afford it

PinkFairyDust · 04/10/2012 10:33

Can you pay in instalments?

I would let her do tbh as she never does anything else and like you say she is showing a real interest

Cut back on a few things for her, it's only for 8 weeks x

Original poster

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 04/10/2012 10:33

I could stop a few channels on Sky. That would go towards it...

OP posts:

margerykemp · 04/10/2012 10:34

Do it, cut back on other things

TantrumsAndBalloons · 04/10/2012 10:34

Can you pay in installments if you explain to the school?

Original poster

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 04/10/2012 10:34

No Pink it's all at once. Actually, I could sell some things on Ebay couldn't I. I will tell DH.

I just feel really happy that she's coming out of herself. She was so shy once that she sat frozen in reception and would not even ask for a crayon....

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Original poster

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 04/10/2012 10:35

tantrums it's an outside provider. I think they want it all at once.

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Whoknowswhocares · 04/10/2012 10:38

If you are out of contract with sky you might well be able to negotiate your existing package for a discount. Ring and tell them you want to cancel...... Be firm that this is your aim and you will get put through to customer retentions. Have had half price for 6 months several times doing that.

Musomathsci · 04/10/2012 10:40

No brainer. Your daughter obviously needs to do this course, doesn't she? After all she has been through, and you encouraging her to get out there and join in, you can't say no the first time she shows an interest. Bite the bullet and send her. You'll regret it so much if you don't. And even if she hates it and drops out after 2 weeks, you've supported her and that's the really important thing.

BitOutOfPractice · 04/10/2012 10:42

Can I just say how much I smiled to hear about your daughter thriving at her new school. It was lovely to read

nancy75 · 04/10/2012 10:45

I would recomend contacting the company that run the course. I work for a company that runs sports related after school activities, in your situation I would almost certainly agree to you paying in 3 goes if you sent me 3 postdated cheques for £20 at the start (obviously not everyone is as nice as me but there is no harm in asking!)

lynniep · 04/10/2012 10:48

IS this the mad science course? DS1 is starting that soon. I think you should try and find the money by cutting back (I have been ebaying/facebook selling like a loon recently because both our kids have swimming lessons too which cost a blinking fortune).
He was quite enthusiastic also, although I thought he might be a bit too young at 5. We decided that he could do one academic type afterschool club when he started school. Last year he did Spanish which was a waste of money because a) he didn't enjoy it and b) I didn't have time to help him during the week so he learned pretty much nothing.
This course is different and I think would be so worthwhile.

Original poster

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 04/10/2012 10:48

Thanks whoknows for the tip!

That's how I feel Muso

Thanks so much OutOf it's just amazing to us...the new school is marvelous and have really, really taken her into their centre....helped her massively. When she couldn't bring herself to join in at playtimes...just after she first arrived in year three as the new girl, they arranged someone to come in and teach them all traditional circle games....the other parents have been amazing too...consistently asking her to go for tea...and just talking to her and accepting that she didn't answer back.

The this term, she went back and it was like she'd had a little personality transplant!

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BitOutOfPractice · 04/10/2012 10:50

Smashing! Sounds like a great school!

cozietoesie · 04/10/2012 10:50

Great idea of the school's about formally teaching them all circle games - more schools could follow that lead in my view to ensure everyone is brought together in the playground.

bbface · 04/10/2012 10:50

Have a word with the school. Explain money tight, but you have never seen dd so excited. Ask if you could stagger payments or something.

Viviennemary · 04/10/2012 10:55

It seems quite a lot if it is being run by the school. Still if you think she will enjoy it and she really wants to go then I think it would definitely be worth it. Perhaps the school will let people pay week by week. They should really make this offer I think to help people.

Tryharder · 04/10/2012 10:56

I agree with bbface . If you genuinely cannot afford it, it might be worth asking the school for help. I believe funds are set aside to pay for things like this.

Original poster

BigFatLegsInWoolyTIghts · 04/10/2012 11:03

I know cozie they're a very forward thinking school.

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