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AIBU?

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Original poster

Anyone else's kids got extremely expensive hobbies?

306 replies

bjorni9 · 02/09/2026 00:19

What started as a casual club, has turned into a lifestyle. Mountain biking, 4x, bmx freestyle, bmx racing. It has saved my ND child's sanity, and drained my bank account. I buy and sell and work so much overtime just so we can continue. It is far better than any play therapy or council funded clubs we've ever received (especially for his mh and mood). Anyone else making big sacrifices for their kids' hobbies? If only football would've stuck!

OP posts:
DidYeAye16 · Yesterday 22:38

Ice hockey here as well

taxi4ballet · Yesterday 22:46

MrsAvocet · Yesterday 17:36

Totally agree @taxi4ballet
I've got 3 children who have all turned out to be better than average at their various extracurricular activities and I coach a sport myself, so I have a reasonable amount of experience of a few sports etc. In my experience, the majority of youngsters who are "serious" fall into it rather than it being some long term plan of their parents. Of course there are some. I expect we have all met the archetypal pushy parent who either did the activity themselves when young, or wanted to but couldn't, and is now determined that their offspring will be the next big thing whether they like it or not! And I've met a few parents who are clearly steering their children into activities that they approve of because they think it will enhance their social standing or the child's future prospects. But I would say they are in a minority. Most of the families I meet tell the "Well we took him to the local club for a taster session because his friends were going but we never expected it to become more than a once a week thing" type of story.
I can't deny that I have met some really toxic people in junior sports and performing arts including some parents who are massively over invested in their children's "careers". But they stand out in my memory because that is not what most of the people I know are like.

Yep - 'Dance Mums' are a thing.🤑

The atmosphere in the waiting area before an audition, honestly, I've never seen so many people looking at other people's dc with 'that' face. If the Olympics ever has Murderous Scowling as a sport, they'd do very well indeed.😂😂

SabrinaThwaite · Yesterday 23:28

mooshkymoo · Yesterday 22:26

Squash. Although switched to golf now and we’ve saved so much money. I know, make it make sense 🤷🏻‍♀️

Junior golf memberships can be really cheap - my local club is £180 per year for unlimited play on two courses.

As a sport with a pale, stale, male image, golf is keen to youngsters involved.

BobbySox71 · Today 00:13

pmsl, I got into diving in 1998. Did open water course in Phuket when I was in my 20s. Was living and working in Bahrain so continued it and became an assistant instructor and met DH through diving.
I’m not diving as much because I’ve a bloody horse 😂

Chickadee001 · Today 04:53

Little girls and PONIES!😍

Frumpitydoo · Today 05:11

Concerts, gigs and musicals!!!

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