Today’s selections from my virtual mailbag come from mothers who on the one hand are facing completely different dilemmas, but on the other are exactly alike in that they want the very best for their children.
Dear Mary: My biggest budget busters are enrichment activities for our four children. I want to spark their joy for living by providing opportunities to sample different sports and hobbies.
Currently, they attend a private school that is academically aggressive. Each takes piano lessons. The boys take karate, and the girls ballet. They are also involved in sports, as well as theatre productions at school, none of which is free. We are a one-income family, and I stay home with the children. Our finances are very tight, and we end up using credit to make it through the month. It sounds simple enough to just put my children in public school and drop all the extras, but my mommy guilt says NO. I want the best for my kids. Any advice? — Tricia, New York…