[quote=lifeisgood]You said that if you don’t have money, you don’t have to do these luxury things. Is it not OK to have money and still not do those luxury things? I think that you can still raise your kids cheaply even if you have the funds to buy all of the things that you have pointed out. Most of the time parents put their kids in swimming lessons, piano lesson, and other various sports whether the kid wants to or not. You always see the kids playing soccer that actually want to be there and the ones that don’t. I think that society has driven parents to do certain things because they are socially accepted. Almost like they want to one up other parents. Shouldn’t we let kids decide what they are interested in? As far as private schools, I would like like to see the data that shows that a child going to a private school is worth the cost. Why not save that cost for tuition to a college? Isn’t that the diploma that counts anyways?[/quote]
You’re right, you don’t have to spend on those luxuries, even if you have money. Which is why I said it’s optional. WRT all the activities, the caveat is that the kids would want to do those things. I don’t believe in forcing them to do stuff when they’re miserably doing it (except for academic stuff). Those extra curricular activities are there to enhance their life and if they’re miserable, that’s not enhancing anything and you’re just wasting money. However, if the kids are interested in those things, it cost money to provide them with those activities and lessons.
As for private school, it would be interesting to see data as well. I don’t know if it’s worth it or not, but what I do know is class size. While public schools are dealing with high 20s to 1 teacher, my kid’s school at the same grade have a teacher to student ratio of 12 to 1. I never said to send your kids to private school and not save for college. I’m doing both. Yes, the degree at the end is what matter. I think elementary level private schools makes a bigger difference than Jr. High and HS level. There was a study that show kids who are ahead by 5th grade tend to keep that lead through out Middle school and high school. So, I’m putting my money is elementary school level education and college level education. Once you kick start their desire to learn in the elementary school level, they’ll carry that desire to learn in MS/HS level by themselves.
