When to Spend Money on Children
When are your kids’ activities worth the money they are worth? How about that big family vacation you are planning – will your kids remember it fondly, or will they only remember it as a waste of money?
If you’re unsure whether to spend a ton of money on a space camp, horse riding lessons, or a cruise for the kids , check out this guide on Bitches Get Riches . It all starts with the question:
Think back to the times when your parents “spent money” on you. In hindsight, you probably know which things you really liked and which ones you just put up with.
So what was the cost? Which ones weren’t? If you could go back in time, what would you tell them to stop doing or do more?
The owners of the site, Piggy and Kitty, catalog their parents’ various spendings and determine which ones were really worth the money. The full version of the message, complete with photographs of “a clumsy kid who hates football but does his best to smile fake” is worth reading; however, if you just want a summary, that’s it:
Spend money – even show off – what your kids love.
Invest in what your kids love. Don’t waste money on something they hate, even if you think it will build character.
Or, as Kitty put it:
My parents knew that I was gifted intellectually. But most of all they wanted me to try sports and team activities. I think they wanted to open up new opportunities for me? But it definitely made me think that my most flawless qualities were “wrong.”
I have been doing theatrical things for a long time and I was ready to swear that I liked it. But in fact, looking back, I loved being surrounded by people with creative, intellectual inclinations. I hated the way my soccer coaches and golf instructors looked at me, puzzled and annoyed at my disinterest and lack of progress. I longed to be recognized for being among people who were also bad at soccer and didn’t care about golf.
Even as a child, I could tell the difference between height and movement. One was intoxicating; another demoralized af.
Before spending money on a big or even small vacation, ask yourself if your kids will enjoy it.
As Piggy and Kitty remind us, not all kids enjoy Walt Disney World. Some kids like thrilling rides, crowds and characters, while other kids don’t like it – and you probably know what kind of kid you are, even if you’re not ready to admit it yet.
This tip works the other way too. For example, if you’re a parent considering a modest camping vacation, don’t fantasize about your pet child suddenly discovering a love of nature, sleeping on the ground, and fighting mosquitoes. Instead, tell yourself that you are not going to spend money on the proverbial bonfire and plan another trip, or ask your children to help you plan an accessible activity that will be fun for the whole family.
(This also applies to you, by the way. If you are a parent at home with a child on the street, remember that they have many opportunities to go camping – with scouts, for example – without having to deal with Mom’s or Dad’s grumpiness. you don’t have to spend money on an adult-sized sleeping bag.)
It’s hard not to live out your dreams of seeing your kids play soccer / piano / baseball, or letting go of the dream of seeing your child’s face light up when they first see Cinderella’s Castle. This is one of the reasons why it is so easy to spend money on activities that you hope your children will enjoy instead of activities that they really enjoy.
But if you want to see that sincere smile and create memories that last a lifetime, spend money on what your kids really want to do.
Even show off.