Got my annual holiday gift from the YMCA -- ANOTHER rate increase. Merry Christmas.

This despite the fact that I now must pay $30 per session (8 weeks usually) for my two kids to go to swim class -- which was the ONLY class they can attend since all of the others classes are held DURING THE DAY when parents work.

So, now they're asking me to pay $60 a month for a family membership...which neither my husband nor I use -- that's $720 a year -- plus an ADDITIONAL $30 PER SESSION for swim classes which amounts to another $200 a year.

$1,000. Mighty expensive swim classes, eh?

Meanwhile, they brag about opening a brand new child care facility on Poplar Street. Again, I ask...WHAT IS YOUR MISSION, YMCA? Is it child care or is it health & wellness?

... Cause it sure as hell isn't serving your members -- you know...the ones who actually have the money to PAY for the memberships.

I write them letters complaining. I have never once -- not once...gotten any sort of response from them.

I am angry and yet, I want my kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.

What's a mother to do?

Well, this mother is going to look into some other gyms -- Pennbriar is an exit away and they have swim classes for kids and, at this point, I'm so pissed at the Y that I'm willing to pay more money to join another gym out of spite.