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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

child modelling as a way of raising money for school fees

139 replies

kirikou · 27/06/2013 09:16

DC1 currently at selective independent although not a stellar one (so don't go thinking Eton etc.) and loving it. 40% of fees paid so we 'only' have to pay £7200 a year plus extras.

DC2 would love to go to this school. We are not 'rolling in it' (happy to post more details of finances if necessary) and I've read all the threads that say you shouldn't go fee paying unless you can comfortably afford it.

AIBU to think that modelling for DC2 might be a way of raising some much needed funds?

OP posts:
DioneTheDiabolist · 27/06/2013 10:10

You or your DP would have to be free to take your DC to castings and jobs. If one of you have the time to do this, perhaps a better and more stable income would come from that parent working.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 27/06/2013 10:10

OP, my eldest son is very clever and could use more support and challenge academically.

I could maybe scrape together the fees for him to attend the top local school, but not for the younger two. They aren't stupid, although they have speech delays and ds2 struggles with reading. I wouldn't feel right about singling out ds1 for investment as "the bright one".

It breaks my heart that I can't do this for him, but I just can't.

I'm going to have to find ways to work with him outside school, perhaps even with tutoring, and definitely extra curricular stuff.

But I just can't send his to private school.

As for modelling... It's a field ripe with vulnerable people who are prey to those who will flatter them and rip them off. Not really worth the risk, imo.

orangepudding · 27/06/2013 10:11

It's not going to work out!

mrsjay · 27/06/2013 10:11

Oh do what you want! poor kid I am not sure this is for real but expecting a child to pay for their own education while their sibling gets a free ride is not on IMO

Original poster
kirikou · 27/06/2013 10:11

TSSDNCOP, I have posted to gain perspective but if I do decide to go ahead with the plan we are talking September 2013 for the move so I need to set things up, even if I do decide not to proceed.

OP posts:
LackaDAISYcal · 27/06/2013 10:12

I pity your poor DC2 tbh.

Can he/she not sit the scholarship exams as well? And don't private schools do sibling discounts? Or is he/she not clever enough for the scholarships so you are capitalising on their looks to pay for their schooling?

what sort of message does that send to your children? That one is very much better than the other! DC2 isn't celver enough for the exams so has to get by on their looks? Shock

If this isn't a wind up you are a seriously fucked up parent.

If you couldn't afford for them to have the same opportunity, imo, then neither should be at the selective independant.

mrsjay · 27/06/2013 10:12

but it is ok OP these siblings are going to get on a great as they grow up in the knowledge that Dc2 cant be afforded Hmm

cantspel · 27/06/2013 10:12

Here's a novel idea Get a job and pay the fees yourself.

Cherriesarelovely · 27/06/2013 10:13

I wish you luck on both counts obviously but can't really understand how a few hundred quid, at the most from what everyone is saying, will make alot of difference when you need thousands a year. Also, wouldn't that mean time out of school for auditions etc?

MarshaBrady · 27/06/2013 10:14

The thing about your free time to do this is a good one. Wouldn't it be better just to work?

Much more efficient and guaranteed £.

TSSDNCOP · 27/06/2013 10:14

Rubbish. You've got 50 odd posts telling you that your idea is flawed beyond logic, and you're still going ahead with approaching the school.

You cannot afford it.

mrsjay · 27/06/2013 10:19

and I dont know how much school fees are and how they are paid but I would imagine a child model would need to work a hell of a lot to actually get a whack of money and then there is child labour laws and then they need to be educated so you would need a tutor with you (because they are never going to be actually at their fee paying school because they are working to pay for it, you really have not thought this through, no child is THAT beautiful that they earn thousands a job

Original poster
kirikou · 27/06/2013 10:19

How do I justify giving the DC different opportunities?

DC1 has a 'talent' (although not a huge one) and is at a school that nurtures that. Unfortunately it is to pay for although at 7.2K it's bloody good value.

DC2 has a much loved expensive extra-curr as well as drama/swimming/sport paid for.

That's' how we have justified it this year. I'm not great at thinking long term.

OP posts:
orangepudding · 27/06/2013 10:19

How old is DC2? If you child is 9+ there honestly very little work. Between the ages of 5-9 DD1 was offered jobs and casting 2 to 3 times a week then it dried up due to her height. DD1 still gets work but she can go months with nothing.

Elquota · 27/06/2013 10:21
Biscuit
Cherriesarelovely · 27/06/2013 10:21

Also think it is disturbing that there is likely to be a longstanding disparity between your kids. It doesn't seem right that you will pay for one of them to go but the other has to work for the money! If they get into the school and then the modelling doesn't pan out what areyou going to do?

Cherriesarelovely · 27/06/2013 10:22

sorry x post. Still think it is potentially very devisive.

Feelingood · 27/06/2013 10:23

I just can't understand why you would set one child the path of private education without having funds in place for second.

My DH's ex had real issues as she was the one her parents could not afford to send private and was constantly studying to up her self esteem.

I am holding off until secondary as we have a fantastic primary DS attends, and its looking like he will be a good candidate for 11+.

BY this time I will be able to say if we can afford it for both children -i.e. both private at secondary if not in grammar. I will have finished study and I will be out earning to fund this.

DontmindifIdo · 27/06/2013 10:28

as others have said, are you a SAHM? If not, how are you going to get DC2 to/from castings and shoots?(they don't happen on set days/hours).

If you are a SAHM, a better plan might be for you to work, not your DC2.

Original poster
kirikou · 27/06/2013 10:29

I work part time and OH works full time but is flexible. We would not need to totally finance with modelling.

The ideal scenario is that DC2 gets into the 'free' stellar school at 11 (a better fit for DC2 than DC1's school). From now until then DC2 has a place at an 'outstanding' middle school starting Sept 2013. After a 2nd visit yesterday it feels 'wrong'. How does it make me a 'bad' parent to be considering other options and associated 'fundraising'?

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 27/06/2013 10:29

What happens if you start dc2 at the Prep then 2 years down the workl dries up? Would you pull them out?

I think if you wanted to go down this route you should have started when dc2 was v. young and built up (a lot) of savings. And one day you'll have to explain to her where all the money from her fees went, so if you are going to do this be upfront from day 1.

DowntonTrout · 27/06/2013 10:30

Do you live in London?

Otherwise you will struggle. It would cost you more to travel to auditions, in time and money, than you are likely to get paid.

A private school will not put up with you constantly pulling your child out at short notice for auditions.

FWIW I worked in the industry for years. I was a child model. My DCs have all been child models.

We all think our children have something special. My DD has something special in that she fought hard and won a place at full time theatre school. She is on their agency books. She has auditions ALL THE TIME.

How much has she earned in the last 6 months? Zilch! I think you need to rethink your plan.

Bobyan · 27/06/2013 10:32

I'm not great at thinking long term

Your not great at thinking, full stop.

DontmindifIdo · 27/06/2013 10:32

Would you earn £7k a year more if you went full time?

MrsHoarder · 27/06/2013 10:33

Why don't you work full time instead? Its probably easier to find work for you and will get the family more money than chasing child modelling.