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Original poster

DD is saving up to go away to summer school; is it fair to let her?

58 replies

KatyMac · 18/04/2011 21:19

It's for Summer 2012

It will cost shed loads

She has sorted out her clothes to sell on ebay (I photo'd them tonight)

Her toys/ornaments will be tomorrow

Should we do car boots or just ebay?

It's completely unrealistic isn't it?

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Sanesometimes1 · 18/04/2011 22:11

What age is your dd ?

Original poster
KatyMac · 18/04/2011 22:12

13

I'm just not sure it's the best way to go about it

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Carrotsandcelery · 18/04/2011 22:13

I feel your pain - my dd (10) is saving her tooth fairy money (£1) for a pony Hmm

How much do you need to raise?

How old is your dd?

Original poster
KatyMac · 18/04/2011 22:14

About a grand

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Original poster
KatyMac · 18/04/2011 22:16

Well at least Summer school won't need room & board for the rest of it's life......or new shoes Wink

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Carrotsandcelery · 18/04/2011 22:17

That is a lot of money.

If she is really dedicated it might not be impossible though.

I would sell clothing individually on ebay, same with the toys and ornaments and then car boot everything that doesn't sell.

Can she earn some money weeding for neighbours or ironing (can she iron?) or washing neighbours cars?

She could also ask for money for birthday and Christmas from everyone who might ask what she wants.

Carrotsandcelery · 18/04/2011 22:18

True Katy - I think I am safe at £1 a tooth though Grin

Original poster
KatyMac · 18/04/2011 22:19

That's sort of what I was thinking

She is advertising 'entertaining' children while their mum does the ironing or decorating for 50p an hour

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geordieminx · 18/04/2011 22:20

What kind of summer school is it?

Original poster
KatyMac · 18/04/2011 22:22

Well that is the other big issue - performing arts - West End

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geordieminx · 18/04/2011 22:25

I guess saving up is going to do no harm as long as she isn't selling stuff that she actually needs and therefore will require you to replace, or isn't concentrating on homework as she is doing odd jobs.

By this time next year she will probably have changed her mind 200 times!

How long is course? Is it residential?

Carrotsandcelery · 18/04/2011 22:25

Surely she could ask more than 50p an hour? I pay my babysitters £5 an hour, double after midnight. Fair enough she is not entirely babysitting but still.

I think advertising herself as a parents helper is a great idea though - giving the parent an hour or two to get the jobs done, especially when the school holidays are on could work.

Can she get sponsored by a local company too - if it had a chance of going into the local press then companies might see it as building good relations with the community.

Carrotsandcelery · 18/04/2011 22:27

A friend of mine has an eye for buying good brands in charity shops and selling at a profit on ebay. You need to know your brands though and what things sell for or it doesn't work. Might be cheaper doing it from jumble sales.

Original poster
KatyMac · 18/04/2011 22:28

Yes I guess 'parent's helper' is the right term

It's only a week

& so far it is all the things girls collect but don't need (ornaments, toys, bits & pieces, even bedding from when her room was mauve or & fairy lights)

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Carrotsandcelery · 18/04/2011 22:29

You have to admire her determination.

Original poster
KatyMac · 18/04/2011 22:32

Well especially as she hasn't saved anything yet Hmm

I wonder how long she will last

I suppose I'd better start to save packaging & envelopes

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geordieminx · 18/04/2011 22:33

I would happily give someone £5 to come and play with ds(4) for a couple of hours.

Christ it's an expensive week! Might worth seeing if local theatres do holuday clubs? Much cheaper and less likely to ve full of brats lovies! Wink

That's ok, just had visions of her selling all of her possessions, then you having to replace them Grin

Carrotsandcelery · 18/04/2011 22:35

I don't want to burst her bubble but at that price I would very much want to see genuine reviews and to speak to people who have done it in the past.

Original poster
KatyMac · 18/04/2011 22:40

I have been desperate for her to empty her room

£5 for 2 hrs is a good rate

it does seem quite good & we know someone who has been - I hve added on 20% to this years price to be sure

& she goes on all the local ones already (in fact she goes on the ones for the older children round here as they say she can't go to the ones for her age)

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nooka · 19/04/2011 06:15

I wonder if there are any bursaries or grants she might be able to apply for? I did this when I went on my year out (many years ago now) and there were an amazing number of small grant making bodies (often people leaving bequests long ago). I didn't actually get any money and I can't remember how I found the list, but it might be worth her (or you) having a bit of a Google.

FingandJeffing · 19/04/2011 08:48

Do you have a friend nearby she could stay with for nothing? 13 is quite young to go somewhere for a week where you don't know anyone. It isn't like a school trip surrounded by teachers and friends. It would also cut the cost.

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/04/2011 09:07

Well she will be 14 (& a half Wink) by then - but I do agree with you; it will be hard

I suppose she & DH could go up to London & stay in a YH or something

Grants/bursaries - I hadn't even thought, great idea

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Carrotsandcelery · 19/04/2011 10:26

Especially if she has a talent and has already shown that she has outgrown the local provision.

I would encourage, encourage, encourage!

Could she raise money doing a show? She could maybe join forces with her current group and share the profits.

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/04/2011 13:08

Well I don't know about talent; but they like having her Grin

A show, now there's an idea; she raised over £60 for Comic Relief!!

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Carrotsandcelery · 19/04/2011 13:22

She sounds a great kid and I suspect you are being modest Katy.