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5 replies

kiskidee · 11/03/2007 12:25

How on earth did you have two children / more than one child and still make ends meet?

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lizziehoney · 11/03/2007 16:46

You struggle! I think most people find the same thing. One child = a damn big chunk of ur income going on childcare. Two children = all ur income going on childcare. Three + children = ur paying for the privilege of working! There are a few options: 1)spread ur children out so they aren't all at nursery/Childminder at the same time (not ideal for those of us who want kids close in age).2) Accept that the early years will be very very tough financially. Cut back as much as possible, maybe even downsize to smaller house (young kids don't need their own bedrooms as much as older ones). 3) Carry on working (even if all ur income pays for childcare) on the basis that ur building economically for the future and that this is just a short lived phase. We went for option 3). It IS tough, but it was definitely the best option for us. Our DCs are at school so we now just pay for before and after care and holiday care. I'm reaping the benefits of keeping up with my career - and we're having our first holiday in six years this summer!!

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kiskidee · 11/03/2007 16:50

that is what we are doing lizzie.

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lizziehoney · 11/03/2007 17:03

Poor you. It DOES get better I promise. As the children get older they do want more costly items/outings etc but the biggest difference is that as a family you will have a much greater capacity to earn without spending on childcare for every minute you work. The other option i meant to say was use a nanny, which some of my friends did once they got on to 2+ children, as this can work out cheaper. However, because we were already using a nursery and were very happy with it, we really didn't want to change our childcare arrangements. One thing I found helped was to plan ahead for some of the lovely things we could spend our money on when things eventually eased financially. And i honestly believe that you appreciate things more when you've known what it is to struggle. Sounds a bit puritanical but its so true. Like this holiday we've got booked - it's a camping holiday in France but I honestly think I'm looking forward to it more than any of my friends who've had exotic holidays all over the world

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cat64 · 11/03/2007 17:14

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BizzyDint · 11/03/2007 17:17

well we only have dd so far, but plan for another. we work it by me doing late afternoon/evenings at work while dh does days. so childcare is kept to a minmum at 2 afternoons a week. we'll wait until dd is 3 for the next baby, so her nursery will be free.

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