kids in sports...

.DS is 3 going on 4 and he started playing hockey this year.. he has played tee ball and soccer and doesn't care for them as much as he does hockey. This year for him to play it cost $135 and we got free gear rental.. I just found out that if he wants to play next year its going to cost $500! and we have to get our own gear! I couldn't believe the price! DS can get scholarships to play but DH thinks it cost too much.. the only this is DS is good at it and loves it.. he has practice 3x a week and is begging to go on days we don't have it.. I did get some gear from a friends kid who out grew his.. but would you let your child play if it cost that much?? to play soccer or tee ball again it would only be $25 for each. He just didn't love them like he does hockey..

$500 a year? So about $40 somethin a month....That's not bad.

I'd probably do it. That's a whole lot cheaper than the little toddler gym out here....that's like 150 a month....

$500 a year isn't to bad. DD did karate and it was $70 a month. If we had the money I'd do it.

at that age no I wouldn't. My son has played soccer but hates it. I would wait until he was a little older for hockey esp. if it costs that much. Kids change what they like so fast at this age. Plus do they do checking? is it ice hockey or deck? you could always look for a summer camp that's shorter and cheaper

Quoting Tavi:" $500 a year? So about $40 somethin a month....That's not bad. I'd probably do it. That's a whole lot cheaper than the little toddler gym out here....that's like 150 a month...."

they only play from Oct-Feb.. but it doesn't look as bad that way! lol we could afford it if they would do a month to month payment plan but you have to write a check up front and thats kind of a blow to the checking acct all at once.. maybe if I save up for it DH won't complain so much

<blockquote><b>Quoting K+J:</b>" .DS is 3 going on 4 and he started playing hockey this year.. he has played tee ball and soccer and doesn't ... [snip!] ... cost that much?? to play soccer or tee ball again it would only be $25 for each. He just didn't love them like he does hockey.."</blockquote>




If I could afford it and he loved it? Yes, especially with hand me down gear

Definitely do it if he likes it. That's not that expensive for an activity.

<blockquote><b>Quoting K+J:</b>" they only play from Oct-Feb.. but it doesn't look as bad that way! lol we could afford it if they would ... [snip!] ... check up front and thats kind of a blow to the checking acct all at once.. maybe if I save up for it DH won't complain so much"</blockquote>




It would be difficult to pay up front. If I was able to save it up I would.

Quoting K+J:" they only play from Oct-Feb.. but it doesn't look as bad that way! lol we could afford it if they would ... [snip!] ... check up front and thats kind of a blow to the checking acct all at once.. maybe if I save up for it DH won't complain so much"

Oooh..well...yea. scratch that idea. All at once? There's no way. They need to set up a type of payment plan for that much money...that's not cool at all  

Quoting summerbabyX2:" at that age no I wouldn't. My son has played soccer but hates it. I would wait until he was a little ... [snip!] ... age. Plus do they do checking? is it ice hockey or deck? you could always look for a summer camp that's shorter and cheaper"

its ice hockey.. there is no checking until they are A LOT older.. I can't remember the exact age but I know they just bumped the age limit up before they can do it or be taught it.. they don't have the capabilities to keep the ice in the summer so its limited to those months.. and right now its cheaper because its a trial thing we are doing to see if they like it which is 2 months and then they get to play the rest of the season for free... and He has had an interest in hockey for awhile now. he would rather watch NHL channel over cartoons any day.

Quoting Tavi:" Oooh..well...yea. scratch that idea. All at once? There's no way. They need to set up a type of payment plan for that much money...that's not cool at all   "

I think I may talk to the lady that runs the program maybe I could get something set up.. my other thought is I do a few garage sales usually during the summer and I do some babysitting for my cousins kids that I could set all that aside for him to play.. My biggest concern is my 2 year old is already wanting to play they run have a goals set up in the house and run around a play all the time.. and we have baby #3 on the way another boy and if he wants to play too  

Quoting K+J:" I think I may talk to the lady that runs the program maybe I could get something set up.. my other thought ... [snip!] ... the house and run around a play all the time.. and we have baby #3 on the way another boy and if he wants to play too  "

Haha, yea, that would be a great idea. Just talk to her and see if you can work something out. I'm sure you're not the first person to ask. $500 is a lot to have all at once.

Quoting K+J:" its ice hockey.. there is no checking until they are A LOT older.. I can't remember the exact age but ... [snip!] ... for free... and He has had an interest in hockey for awhile now. he would rather watch NHL channel over cartoons any day."

what about deck hockey tho? that would be cheaper and it would still be hockey. You could also start setting aside any money he gets for birthdays and other holidays for it. We've been doing that since my son was born and that's actually how we're paying for his preschool and how we paid for all his summer camps/sports. We told our family that's what we were doing so for any holiday they always send my kids a few bucks, lol! It really helps tho!

Our son has been playing hockey since he was 4yo. $500 is extremely reasonable for the sport, especially as often as your son is going during those few months he's playing.

I don't know what position your son plays but, teams usually offer big discounts for Goalies. One of the travelling teams our son plays with basically pays all practice & tourney fees for their goalie, because he's the only one they have. The gear is considerably more expensive, but you can always find 2nd hand on eBay, Craigslist, play it again sports...etc.

I would you could always look at play it again sports or someplace like that to keep up on the equipment without all the cost they say you can save like 50% of the cost of equipment or check garage or yard sales people are always selling things they use to have a program that helps subsidize the cost of sports for families like kids can play too you should check it out and see if its available in your area