Special repayment, saving or consumption?

Yes, I had already understood it that way. But does a family then never go swimming? I don’t know about swimming lessons from my own experience or with my siblings and have often wondered whether people prefer to pay twice or just don’t go to the pool themselves, or how most people handle it. We just went to the pool quite often, but as family time and swimming was practiced on the side.

Of course we go, but my son is one of those stubborn kids who doesn’t like to be taught by his parents.
On top of that, the school demands the [Seepferdchen] badge in swimming lessons, no matter how well the child swims. If you don’t have that thing, you end up in the beginner course. They aren’t allowed to do much, not even jump from the edge of the pool. That would be torture for my little whirlwind. So there is a crash course for that stupid badge. Except there is no exam for us, always just hours beforehand.

Spoiler alert: babies are the cheapest kids you can have and no, you don’t need a new car for them. On the contrary, toddlers are really talented at making new cars look old. Better keep your ride for another 6-7 years or buy something for half the price.

Just the rear-facing car seat destroys every nice seat. And when I vacuum, I could feed whole armies with the crumbs. Did I already mention the tons of play sand that fit inside a child’s shoe?
Yeah, and then the little daughter cleaned the car... with her sandy rag... good thing the car is shot anyway.

€100 monthly hobby costs: The son does martial arts (quite expensive), handball (still okay), plus the gear for both is charged monthly. The little daughter has been dancing diligently at 3 years old. Do you have any idea how expensive proper dance shoes are at that age? And a tutu—my wallet runs away crying (Mamaa everyone has one of those skirts!). On top of that, the trips to games and performances.

Sure, we’ll go, but my son is one of those stubborn kids who don’t like being taught by their parents.
On top of that, the school requires a "Seepferdchen" [seahorse swimming badge] in swimming lessons, no matter how well the child swims. If you don’t have that thing, you end up in the beginner’s course. They are hardly allowed to do anything, not even jump from the edge of the pool. That would be torture for my little whirlwind. So it’s crash course for that stupid badge. But there’s no exam with us, only after hours of lessons beforehand.

By the way, it’s the same here now. >150 kids waiting in line for a swimming course spot because everything was canceled for two years during the corona panic and, surprise, there’s still only a reduced offering afterwards.

Even if you teach it yourself, no one will give you the badge without paying for a course beforehand.
In my day, you’d just quietly go to the nearest lifeguard at the pool… and at the same time, people are crying that kids hardly know how to swim anymore (well, where else would that come from).

Do you have any idea how expensive proper dance shoes already are at that age?

€12.90

And a tutu like that, my wallet runs away crying (Mumaaa, everyone has a skirt like that!).

€14.90
Both together at tanzmuster dot etc. free shipping.
Even cheaper at H&M

Our 5-year-old granddaughter does yoga… it's cheaper ;)
Ballerina is only played at home

12.90€

14.90
Both together at tanzmuster dot etc. free shipping.
Even cheaper at H&M

Our 5-year-old granddaughter does yoga… it's cheaper ;)
Ballerina is only played at home

Funny fact, I was in Berlin over the weekend and watched Polina Semionova as prima ballerina in Sleeping Beauty.
Man, how I missed culture because of corona.

Yesterday came a piece of bad news. The top student of the year passed away at just under 40.

I still believe that one should travel the world and consume. You only live once in this world

12.90€

14.90
Both together at tanzmuster dot etc. Free shipping.
Even cheaper at H&M

I'm sending you my daughter, she'll tell you what’s necessary :D. Although only 3, she has very clear ideas about what’s necessary. Pink (not rose) with glitter and a thin glitter velvet edge. Exactly that €40 piece she saw at Decathlon. And since she still wears size 98, that’s a special order. We agreed to split it 50:50. She’s now scrupulously saving for it and squeezing every penny from grandma that’s lying around. I pray she forgets that ugly piece. In 2 years she should theoretically have enough saved :rolleyes:
Shoes well, those were still affordable at €20 (club’s guideline) and will last a long time on my minion.
And there goes my extra repayment...