Financial dilemma

[firstworlddilemma1]

Having a financial crisis. DS 16 is sport mad and has an opportunity to go to Germany for possibly a year and if all goes well then for longer. DD attends ballet school in London (any ballet mums on here will know which one). We have had to remortgage our home a few years ago to get both children on the training they want. We have nothing left. DD has selective mutism and has never spoken to anyone in school, wider family not even her ballet teacher but she loves to dance. She’s amazing and truthfully she’s a better dancer than her sister was at her age and she is more dedicated. It’s all she does. She can’t open the fridge without a ballet step etc.
she has an audition this month and her ballet teachers has said the only way she won’t get in is if she doesn’t turn up.
Problem is we really have nothing left. Apart from starting an only fans which trust me no one would want to view me the only option I can think of is selling the house and finding a 2 bed flat for me and DH and when the kids are with us the girls will have to share a room and my son will have to sleep on the sofa. Is that really awful? If all goes well none of them would technically be back with us full time but if all doesn’t go to plan we could end up with three kids back full time in a 2 bed flat. Any ideas welcome

It all sounds lovely but you do realise that realistically none of them will make a living in sport? What are their back up plans? And yours if you spend all your money on this?

I’m not sure there is any real benefit now to vocational dance school at 11. RBS Associate programme for example can provide elite classes alongside state school and local training, There is such a high dropout rate, through injury or physique, that it seems extreme to put the quality of family life in such financial jeopardy. Each child needs a back up plan and good education to fall back on as a balance rather than merely to indulge their passion.

Does your DS absolutely have to go now, at 16? Will he do GCSEs first?

I am going to be very dull and ask what the plans are for his education to eighteen, whether A-Levels or a BTEC. He will need that to get onto any physiotherapy course.
Or does the programme take them through the German equivalent?

I know someone whose DC went to do a pro sports academy training from 16-18, but the home-stay guardian didn’t seem to monitor if they were doing homework so the DC was disappointed with their A Level grades. And now they don’t want to do sport either…

I just think that 14-18 is a very crucial age and it’s never going to be the same as the care from a parent.

With all due respect, you cant afford any of this. None of this sounds like a good idea for your circumstances.

Lodger sounds like a plan. Lots of people looking for lodgings in London during the week i’m sure. Also student exchanges, friend of mine did hosting for many years, she had to provide a bed and home cooked food, packed lunches. She got a fair bit.

No, they changed their policy and only take in from Y9 now.

Ah I’m not that close to it anymore. Although I think she said will be going for the day for the first couple of years. Regardless I think it’s nuts to sell your house for ballet school which ultimately will never lead to regaining the money especially for a non-verbal child that is probably never going to make the stage.

I agree. Yes dancing may be different (for thr girls) but if football for example the club pays for everything so I am confused too abiut the money being spent on the DS.

Even worse as very little chance of making money in dance!