Replies to '03/24 Moms Money Conflicts'

I don't have a husband to gripe at me about money, but as somebody who was recently a kid in school I have to reply to this: 

The man is a moron if he doesn't see the benefit of either a decent private school or a better neighborhood/better public school system over one with poor academics and a drug problem.  I attended the full range of school systems--from upper-middle class, well-respected ones all the way down to a school that occasionally had gang fights on the front lawn.  This is his SON--if he can do better by him, he should.  (Just because it's a private school doesn't mean it's the best--I've been to very good public schools, too, but you generally have to be in a better neighborhood to attend them). 

As far as the swimming goes--hello, the kid should learn to swim.  It's safer, and all kids need to be encouraged to be more active.  $5 a lesson is an absolutely ridiculous reason to make him give it up unless they are literally living hand-to-mouth (which is not the impression I get from the original post).  What is the kid supposed to do, sit in his room all day and stare at the wall?  Twenty years from now, will Dad spring for the Dr. Phil Weight Loss book to make up for all that physical activity that Jr. never learned to enjoy?   

Assuming they are making a reasonable income, these two either need serious marriage counseling, or he needs a shrink, or both.  While I agree that, obviously, parents shouldn't jeopardize the family's long-term financial security on frivolous things, I absolutely believe that children need interests, activities, and experiences outside of school.  I had interests in art, animals, and music that my school system could not support but that my parents did to the best of their ability, which not only life better for me, but greatly enhanced my school experience and, yes, eventually helped me get into a good college. 

Financially responsible is good, but it sounds like Dad has a bad case of "penny wise and pound foolish".  There's absolutely nothing wrong with Costco clothes--my family has always bought plain clothing and worn it into rags--but just because this woman wants to spend a little on her son doesn't mean she wants to spend it on empty material goods.