fees

Somehow, I recently had a story about going to sea for my eldest daughter. She plays sports, and used to go to the section for free, the coaches organized trips to training camps, and at first we were offered options for about 4,000 rubles a day for 10 days with meals. I agreed, everything seemed to be fine. But then, literally at the last moment, the conditions changed — the fees were reduced to 7 days, but the price increased to 6,000 rubles per day. It seemed too expensive to me, and I refused. Complaints from other parents and organizers immediately began, saying that this should not be done, because now others will have to pay 1,000 rubles more. But somehow I was left at a loss — I feel bad both because of this reaction and because I don't know how it will affect my daughter.

To be honest, money is not being taken from the ceiling. You have to pay for accommodation, meals, transportation, coaching services and organizational expenses — that's understandable. But when conditions change suddenly and the cost increases by 50%, it certainly creates a stressful situation for parents, especially if the family budget is limited. In such cases, it is necessary to carefully understand where such figures come from and discuss with all participants the fairness of cost allocation. Sometimes coaches organize training camps themselves, and they can be non-commercial, but no one has canceled the additional costs of food and accommodation.

If we talk about the psycho-emotional state, then it is important not to dwell on accusations and try to calmly explain your position. Many parents find themselves in a similar situation — some may understand, while others may be upset. To cope with the negativity, I recommend maintaining an open dialogue with coaches and other parents, trying to understand the rationale for the cost change and, if necessary, looking for alternative options for the child. Sometimes it's easier to offer help with organization or financial planning so that there are no sudden surprises.

In general, it seems to me that coaches need to take into account that price plays a big role for each family personally, and without transparency, discontent can only worsen. But parents should also remember that any event is not only a pleasure, but also costs that are not always easy to foresee.

But I wonder what you would do in such a situation? Would you pay a new amount in order not to create unnecessary conflicts, or would you refuse, putting the financial side as a priority?