The Hidden Costs of 4th Grade Tackle Football
Sometimes I think parents wouldn’t sign their kids up for so many sports and activities if they knew how much they would actually end up spending when it’s all said and done.
Take our family’s expenses for my stepson’s fourth grade tackle football team, for instance.
It starts with an up front cost of $180. While this seems steep, it pays for the uniform, mouth guard, use of the football pads/helmet and pays the referees. Plus, NO FUNDRAISER! So, not too bad so far. But it does still sting a little.
First day of football practice: I get a frantic call on my way home from work. “We need to get some cleats for practice tonight. We totally forgot!” Do last year’s still fit? I tried to buy them a little big. “No. Can you stop and get some?” Cost of Cleats: $19.99 at WalMart.
Second week of practice: “Coach says we need to buy some practice pants or I won’t be able to practice with pads.” Well, when is he going to get us the uniform pants? I thought we were just waiting for those to come in. “No, I think everyone else bought practice pants because they were on sale for $10 at sign-ups.” Well, your mom took you to sign ups and she never said anything about that. I thought everyone else was wearing their uniform pants. They all bought a pair of practice pants at sign ups? “I guess so.” Cost of Practice Pants: $20 at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Third week of practice: Do we need to get him a cup? He should be wearing a cup, right? “Um, yeah, I think so.” Where do you buy a cup at? “Dick’s?” Cost of Junior Cup and Underwear: $16 at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The next practice: Are you wearing your cup? “No, it’s too big! I can’t run with that thing on!” Well, you need to wear it. You’re going to hurt yourself. “Can you buy me a smaller one?” No, that one is fine! Besides, the only smaller one they have is the ‘pee wee’ cup.
An hour and a half before the first game: (Crying) “I forgot to bring my cup over to mom’s house. Can you guys bring it to the game? And I can’t find my underwear either!” After searching for the underwear… We can’t find your underwear, and we haven’t seen it since the last time you went over to your mom’s. Are you sure you didn’t leave it there? Have you not been wearing your cup at practice since then? “How can I wear my cup when I can’t find the underwear? She hasn’t seen it either!” Cost of Pee Wee Cup and Underwear: $16 at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Half an hour before the first game: “Where are my black socks? I don’t have any black socks!” You were wearing black socks when you went over to your mom’s on Friday. Why didn’t you just bring those? “Well, I did, but coach says we were supposed to buy black football socks that go up to your knees.” What, that’s not included this year? Last year, it was included. Cost of Football Socks: $15 at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Two hours before the second game, which has been rained out: Hurry, let’s run inside the school for football pictures! “Which package are we going to get this year?” I don’t know, let me look at the form. I don’t remember what’s included with the $180. Go stand over there with the team and I’ll give it to you in a minute. (Thirty seconds later) “They said I need to bring the form with me.” Argh, hold on! Here, we’ll just get this package. Cost of Pictures: $19.99
Last Saturday night, at a team pizza party: “OK guys, I’m going to buy three pizzas and three pitchers for the kids, what does everyone else want to do? Have you eaten? We could order four pizzas and a couple pitchers of soda for the adults and split it between the 15 families?” That sounds fine. My husband and I each have two pieces of pizza and some Coke, while some of the other parents split pitchers of beer. “OK, guys, the bill is $270. So, let’s call it $20 per person.” (Afterward) Did he split up the kid and adult orders? Did we just pay for everyone’s beer? I think we just got screwed! Cost of Pizza Party: $20, Plus $2 in Quarters for Arcade Games
Tuesday night: “I hurt my pinkie at football practice. Coach said to put some ice on it.” OK, well it does look a little swollen. Put a baggie of ice inside a washcloth and sleep with it on your hand tonight.
Wednesday night: (Crying) “My head hurts!” OK, let’s see if your grandma has any headache medicine you can have. “Can you see if she has any medical tape so I can tape my finger? Coach said I should tape my finger.” We have some medical tape at home. We’ll do it then. Is it still swollen? Does it hurt? “Yes, the nurse said I should probably go to the doctor.” You went to see the nurse today? “Yes, three times.” How come she didn’t call? Did she send a note home or anything? “No. She said there was nothing she could do, that I should probably go to the doctor because it hurts really bad.”
Ten minutes ago: “The doctor says his pinkie is broken. They probably won’t do anything about it, but we need to buy a splint and make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.” Well, is he still going to play? “Yes, if we use a splint and tape his three fingers together.” How is he going to be able to catch the ball? “I don’t know.” Are you sure he should play? “No.” Cost of Doctor Co-Pay and Splint: $26; Cost of Upcoming Specialist Co-Pay: $35; Other Upcoming Costs: TBD!
And we’re only halfway through the season!
Photo Credit: Little Chargers by Brit., used under Creative Commons licensing.
2 responses so far
Yikes! That’s an expensive season. I’ve got two stepdaughters in soccer, so I know what you mean. Thnigs aslo seem a little more complicated (and expensive!) when kids are moving between two households.
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