Tight Household Budgets Means More Parents Axing Child Care, Private School, and Extracurricular Activities

I'm not surprised when I hear that more and more families are opting out of using child care, are switching to public schools, and signing their kids up for activities in recreation or community programs vs. "select" groups. Our depressed economy is taking a toll on just about everyone, except for perhaps the overzealous and apparently oblivious retailers who are already pleading for us to spend our hard-earned money on the holidays. My son has met a new friend who was just placed in his public school from a prestigious private school last week. Enrollment in expensive kid activities is down. But, guess what? As long as our kids are loved, fed, cared for, and receive an education, they will be absolutely fine ... even without all the extras!