By: Becca

Becca — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:07:10 +0000

First, to address Dad, I’m glad that you invested in me and I’m pretty sure I wore those Von Maur dresses as long as they fit me (and the jackets that went with them lasted even longer), but I agree with you on that trench coat–although I will correct you on one point, I did wear it at least once or twice.
And Candace, dance is an investment, not only of money but time too. But it seems to work out well for our family. It is something we enjoy together. We like to watch SYTYCD together and Jacob enjoys watching old Fred Astaire movies with me. The boys also play soccer in the Fall and Jacob and Elise have scouts and Josh is hoping to start them all on piano lessons soon and Jacob is hoping to join the school band this year, so it can seem a little overwhelming at times, but schoolwork is always done first thing. And there are times when they complain about their tight scheduling but mostly I think its because I still make them do chores before activities so they feel like they’re missing out on video game time or something, but we always talk before starting something new and I remind them that they chose these commitments and need to follow through. And they always enjoy it once we’re there. I think that’s a key part of it, I never make them start something. I give them options and make sure that they understand what their responsibilities would be and let them choose. I also let them know what I would have to sacrifice for them to be able to do it so they understand that we are a team and that I am counting on them to keep their word. They’ve all chosen to continue with dance, some more than others. Here’s a little anecdote that may answer some of your questions. Jacob and Elise started dancing two years ago, but after the first year they didn’t want to go back. After talking with them I discovered that it wasn’t dancing that they wanted to give up on, but the studio that apparently hadn’t been a good fit for them. So we tried a new studio last year and let Cameron and Elena take lessons too. Now Jacob had taken tap and ballet his first year, but the new studio offered boys only classes which he really wanted to be a part of, but the older boys his age only did hip hop and he didn’t want to stop tapping. The studio worked with us so that he could take hip hop with the boys and continue tap (and Jazz) with the girls. At the beginning of the year he was really upset about being the only boy in the girl class again, even though he also had an all boy class. A month or two in he was still complaining so I went in and talked with the studio owners about offering tap for the older boys (because the boys in Cameron’s class did hip hop AND tap). So I made him suck it up for the season and Jacob continued the year with the hope that it would work out that this year he would take only boy classes, at least that’s what I thought! By recital time at the end of last year when it was time to sign up for this year’s classes I thought Jacob would be thrilled to take the older boys only hip hop AND tap class newly offered (for him!), but can you guess what his reaction was? He was sad to leave his girls!!! He wanted to stay with them even if it meant being the only boy in the class and having to take ballet again! So this year Jacob is doing tap, jazz, and ballet with the girls, and hip hop and tap with boys! The studio owner also asked if he might be interested in trying some partner dancing, which he seemed interested in, so he may add that too! Cameron and Elena really enjoyed their recital last year, but Cameron is happy to stay with just the boys tap and hip hop and not to take a girl class that would offer more styles of dance, and Elena, although she LOVED the recital, was a real pain getting to weekly classes, so this year we are starting her on a trial period because I refuse to spend the whole year fighting her to go to class just so she can have another moment on the stage! If you want to talk about specific numbers for cost, shoot me an email or give me a call and I can give you some ideas, but I’m sure things vary a lot by studio.

By: Candace

Candace — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:56:20 +0000

I have been thinking a little about getting Eva involved in dance; how much does it seem to cost you? Do you like dance more than other activities? Does it ever seem to be an overload with school? Does it add stress for them or relieve it? Are they starting to want to try other things? Has any of them ever wanted to quit and you made them suck it up for the season?
You can of course email me about it if your audience is not ready for(or doesn’t care about) the answers to these questions.

By: Daniel G. Clark

Daniel G. Clark — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:21:51 +0000

I think I felt about the same way when we paid to let you attend Harvard Model UN in Europe–and needed to get all the clothes, etc. you would need to play the part. I’m glad I invested in my kids –and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way. (However, I’m not so sure about the black trench coat you never wore–or those dressy dresses from VonMaur!) Maybe you should get ready to clerk at the store where you spend the most $$ and can get the best employee discount??!
Love you, dear–plasma and all.

Comments on: Do I Have Anything To Sell You?

By: Becca

By: Candace

By: Daniel G. Clark