Aunt lends 10-year-old niece $2,000 for ballet camp, her mother spends it all on herself instead and claims she lacks the funds to reimburse her: “I’m not rich”

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
May 22, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Hey there, internet scrollers. In this week's edition of Cheezcake, it's nothing new, and all of the old stuff you're used to seeing. Family dynamics crumbling, husbands not stepping up to their challenge of fatherhood, dubious mother-in-laws trying to hijack control over their son's wedding, and stepmothers being all too contrarian. Sisterly spats are back in, and the story below portrays a good one. 

Of course, most little girls don't leave their ballet class thanking their parents for putting them through it, picking them up, dropping them off, going to their recitals, and paying that hefty sum so their kid can learn something beautiful. 

In the story below, the protagonist has been paying for her niece's ballet classes since her mother can't afford them. Generous, no? I think if my parents couldn't afford them then my aunt would probably pay as well. But as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished. This woman finds out where some of that money has been going, and it isn't to ballet. Read the full story below for all the juicy details. 

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  • 01

    AITAH for cutting my niece off (financially)?

    Cheezburger Image 10507943168
    via cottonbro studio from Pexels / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    For the past few years my niece (f10) has been in a dance company. She does amazingly well but my sister can not afford the classes so I pay for the dance lessons. In March my niece was accepted into a very prestigious summer dance camp with a big
    via u/Super-Application-83

  • I grew up doing ballet, and other types of dance. To this day, I love ballet, and even go to barre classes sometimes, extenuating my strength in working out, as well as skills in second position. Ballet is a little girl’s dream, and if you’re young and your parents can afford those oh so expensive dance classes, then it’s important to appreciate it. 

  • 03
    ballet academy. My sister could not pay so I paid the full tuition ($2000) for two weeks, which includes a few other things. Now I am not rich but I do well and don't have kids so I have expendable funds.
    via u/Super-Application-83
  • 04
    Recently on the phone with my niece I ask which session she is because I am coming to visit. She tells me she is no longer going. When I asked why, she said. because her friend couldn't go too. Her friend was accepted but
    via u/Super-Application-83
  • 05
    apparently her parents couldn't pay the fee and had hoped for a scholarship. Upon hearing this I was livid because I am sure if the other kid could pay, they would have went without my niece. When I ask my sister about this she says "oh yeah I was going to tell you but I forgot." When I
    via u/Super-Application-83
  • 06
    asked about a refund, she told me they reimbursed her 75% of the tuition and she would pay me when she can. She already got the money and spent it. At this point I am beyond upset, my niece dropped out for a dumb. reason and my sister got the refund and kept it. I don't want to
    via u/Super-Application-83
  • 07
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    via miljko from Getty Images Signature / Canva

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  • 08
    cause a scene at the time but I tell my niece "I thought you wanted to be a ballerina, you don't just throw away these experiences because someone else can't go" she just shrugged. I understand she's young but this is the time to be serious. And I actually blame her mom.
    via u/Super-Application-83
  • 09
    Later I tell my sister I won't pay for any more monthly classes until I'm made whole on my $2K. She tells me that will take her months and I know she can't pay for the classes. I tell her I'm not rich, and could have used that money for the new mattress I
    via u/Super-Application-83
  • 10
    have been wanting to get (I have had mine for 10 years now). She asks how will I explain this to my niece. I tell my sister at the very least, they should have told me when she changed her mind and that not telling me and keeping my money was the last straw. She
    via u/Super-Application-83
  • 11
    DDOL INDRED DOLLAR IN GOD TES VUTED STATES FAMERICA IN C 3246 H 100 OLLARS SHATTOO ESOF WE TRUST NUNEDSTA DEAW ERIC HL 30520541 G
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  • 12
    says I'm being an AH to take away an opportunity from her but they both threw it away. Am I the AH here for not wanting to pay for lessons anymore?
    via u/Super-Application-83
  • 13
    AndreaKhali⚫ 22h ago Your niece gave up a huge chance for a flimsy reason and your sister pocketed your refund. It's fair to stop payments until repaid. They should have told you sooner.
    via u/AndreaKhali
  • 14
    7625607 22h ago ΝΤΑ • Your sister is hugely at fault here. She needs to pay you back the full $2000 you spent on this summer camp.
    via u/7625607
  • 15
    drezdogge ⚫ 21h ago I'm wondering if she paid at all or if she kept the 2k and talked the daughter out if it
    via u/drezdogge
  • 16
    Professor Distinct8... • 22h ago NTA. Your sister is making very questionable parenting choices by not pushing her daughter to go. Are you sure she didn't just cancel so she could pocket the money? Giving your niece a pass because she's 10.
    via u/ProfessorDistinct835
  • 17
    Curious Georgia_43 • 22h ago NTA. She seems to now $1,500 of your money she can use to pay for her daughter's classes. You did what you could and they took advantage of the situation.
    via u/Curious Georgia_43
  • 18
    • HootblackDesiato ⚫ 19h ago She asks how will I explain this to my niece. No. How will SHE explain it to HER daughter? After all, it
    via u/HootblackDesiato
  • 19
    was she that accepted your refund and spent it. And I'll bet that when her daughter wanted to back out because of her friend not attending, mom didn't have the conversation that
    via u/HootblackDesiato
  • 20
    went, "You know, your uncle is paying your tuition for these classes and for you to back out is disrespectful. If you want to stop dance after this two-week session, then ok - but you should be going to this session." Pretty sure that didn't happen. NTA.
    via u/HootblackDesiato

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