Cooking up ways not to cut back

Ten-year-old T’Kaiya Thomas, sporting pigtails and pink Crocs, stirs the simmering Roma tomatoes and crushed garlic in a pot before her but hesitates before dropping in fresh basil leaves.

“I don’t think the tomatoes are quite soft enough,” says T’Kaiya, a student at Young Chefs Academy in Sandy Springs. While she waits, she melts butter for an Alfredo sauce.

T’Kaiya’s culinary proficiency comes at a hefty price —- especially considering that, in these freezer-cold economic times, she could be honing her skills at home. But Christina Thomas, who has watched her fourth-grader whip up amazing dishes, refuses to give up the $99-per-month classes. Instead, she cuts back in other areas of the family budget.

“We don’t go out to dinner on the weekends like we used to, and we don’t go to movies; we watch them at home. … T’Kaiya loves to cook, and this way she can help me in the kitchen and know what she’s doing. So for me, it’s been an easy call,” said Thomas, a quality assurance engineer whose hours have been cut in recent months.

Even in a recession, many parents balk at scaling back on their kids’ opportunities. They are far more likely to bag their own lunches, skip the lattes and pinch pennies at the grocery store than to slice piano lessons or karate classes from the budget, according to parenting experts.

But faced with today’s tough economy, some parents are being forced to make choices that can be tough to explain to youngsters: Karate classes or zoo camp? A princess birthday party or pool membership? Spring-break trip or summer camp?

Across metro Atlanta, the number of tots and teenagers in ballet studios and indoor inflatable playgrounds is slipping. But observers say that while many parents are more cost-conscious, they have not yet pulled the plug completely on pricey kids activities.

“I will tell you this: Parents used to register for ballet classes well in advance,” said Casey Bagby, arts education director at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. “Now they wait until one day before the class starts, or even the day of the first class. It’s like they want to hold on to their money as long as possible.”

Where she’s seen the biggest hit is in adult art programs. “Parents will cut something they enjoy before they cut something their kids enjoy doing,” she said.

Susan Chambers, artistic director of the Susan Chambers School of Theatre Dance, wonders if current students will register again this fall.

“I have heard families say they are cutting back on housekeepers, landscapers, pool guys and even hair coloring, but, so far, they are continuing with the performing arts for their children,” Chambers said.

David and Vikki Williams, who opened BounceU, a 10,000-square-foot inflatable, indoor playground in Duluth three months ago, said traffic at BounceU has fallen short of expectations, but they’ve been pleasantly surprised by a better-than-expected demand for birthday parties. At least so far, it seems, a once-a-year blowout is still an option.

Talking money with kids

Many parents try to shield their kids from economic woes. But when faced with the gloomy economic landscape of the present, more are pulling their children into discussions about money.

In a recent survey by MomCentral.com —- a Web site created by parenting expert Stacy DeBroff —- about half of the 1,200 moms responding said they are spending less on their kids; 45 percent said they are explaining to kids they can’t afford to do the things they used to; and almost 50 percent said their kids are well aware that they are trying to cut costs.

“When budgetary constraints ripple into the fabric of our way of life, we have to say: ‘We can’t afford this,’ ” said DeBroff, author of several best-selling parenting books. “It’s hard to do because you feel guilty.”

A new survey by Tru, a youth market research firm based in Chicago, also found a large number of the teenagers expressing concern about the economy, with slightly over 40 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds saying they plan to spend less on clothing and electronics.

A third of the 742 surveyed in this same age group said they plan on getting a part-time job.

“What we’ve seen previously is teens were insulated, and teens tend to be optimistic about their spending outlook,” said Rob Callender, trends director at Tru. “What this suggests to me is parents could be cutting their own needs to the bone, and now it’s time to share the burden, one way or another —- and it’s evident to teens.”

Cutting back creatively

If there’s a silver lining in the economic crunch, experts say, it’s that it’s an opportunity for teaching children the importance of managing and spending money, and setting limits. DeBroff said the current economic crisis can help illuminate the difference between what children want versus what they really need.

Caren Cohen of Sandy Springs said her family-friendly neighborhood has banded together during these rough economic times.

“When someone has a ‘Star Wars’ birthday party, it used to be go out and buy a bunch of costumes. Now, we swap things. … Instead of going out, we get together and grill out and the kids play together in the cul-de-sac,” said Cohen, mom to 7-year-old Jackson and 3-year-old Dylan.

Cohen said this summer, she and her neighbors will team up to put together their own free, two-week-long summer camp. Cohen, who makes jewelry, will make clay necklaces with kids. Other parents will teach dance moves or do a cooking class.

Cohen, whose husband is a mortgage broker, has had to make changes both big and small, including enrolling her first-grader in public school this year. And when her daughter, Dylan, had a day off from preschool recently, they went to the local playground.

“It used to be, if there was a day off, we would go to “My Gym” [for kids] or the zoo, and get lunch. But now, we go to the playground. We pack our lunch. It’s like, let’s take advantage of what is free.”

‘Can’t do it all’

Meanwhile back at Young Chef’s Academy, owner Jennifer Fox is also concerned about the impact of the recession. She’s trying to appeal to cash-strapped parents by offering new classes called, “Budget Gourmet,” in which kids learn to make dishes costing under $10 for a family of four. So far, so good, she says; she’s had to add classes to keep up with demand.

Still, even budget gourmet may not fit into some family budgets.

“We are really struggling,” said Cynthia Capasson, a jewelry maker here with her 7-year-old grandson, Dylan, who also takes drum and piano lessons. “He’s learned so much here about food and nutrition and he really loves to cook. … But we just can’t do it all.”

FACING FINANCIAL FACTS

A few do’s and don’ts for talking to your kids about money from parenting expert Stacy DeBroff:

Do use age-appropriate language. For a preschooler, you can say, “Lots of people are having trouble finding work. If someone at your preschool mentions that, you need to be nice to them because they are going through something hard.” For a teen: “With this recession, there are people who are getting their houses foreclosed on and it’s really traumatic. Let me explain why this is happening …”

Do follow the money. Point out ways you are saving money. Be specific. Talk about packing your lunch to work; skipping the $3 latte.

Don’t use fear as a motivator. (Don’t say things like, “I am really worried and you should be, too.”) Focus on concrete things you can do to earn and save money. Suggest they make some of their own money by baby-sitting or walking dogs, etc. Kids often place a high value on money they’ve earned.

Don’t give your kids credit without restrictions. If you give your child a credit card, set limits on spending.

BY THE NUMBERS

Some recent survey findings on kids and the economy:

86 percent of moms are telling their kids they are either canceling summer vacation plans or they can’t afford summer camps

84 percent of moms said they are cutting back on eating out

58 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds are either somewhat concerned or very concerned about the economy

43 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds say they will spend less on clothing

Sources: MomCentral.com; Tru