to think that as children get older they can't get *that* much more expensive?

[shhhw]

OK, laugh me off the planet. But everyone recites this mantra constantly - that they get much more expensive as they get older. How, exactly? I am already paying for 2 lots of music lessons, ballet lessons, riding lessons, school trips, presents to take to constant birthday parties, shoes and more shoes, clothes etc etc etc. So if I choose to be mean with pocket money, where does the huge expense come? And when does it kick in?

My 12yr old son is already in adult size clothing (5'9). It ain't cheap. Gone are the days when I could get him an entire outfit for £10. Sob.

it is Near. All logos and weird styles. TBF even DH doesn't shop in Next. He's a Debenhams man.

My 13 and 15 year old DSs have a 'uniform' of chinos from Next (20), zip up hoodies from Primark (10) and a few T shirts from any where (6 ish) trainers from Sport and Soccer (20). They have two lots of the chinos/hoodies each and borrow each others if there is a school trip or maybe non uniform day and they need more clothes. They are both mens's size medium. Luckily they are not into fashion at all and just like to be comf. Our biggest increase in expense been food, eating out and holidays compared to when they were younger.

Your 13 and 15 year olds wear chinos . >>>faints

Yes all the boys wear them where I live. One has burgundy and beige, the other two types of blue. They are like thinner, coloured comfier versions of jeans. What do other teenage boys wear?

I have three - they are 12, 10 and 4 and they absolutely get more expensive as they get older IME!

Black skinnies or denim skinnies - usually pin rolled :)

OP I think a lot of it will depend on where you live and the circles in which your children move in.

Lots and lots of children never go on school trips. Lots of schools do not offer the kind of expensive trips some people have mentioned.

I know people who pay for some driving lessons for their kids but I don't know many people who would buy their children a car.

It sounds from your OP as though you are pretty well off, so yes you probably can afford a third child. Maybe they will have to choose between an activity and a phone contract when they are older but that's real life.

I think you need to differentiate between necessities and lifestyle choice.
e.g. Yes, they will eat a lot more but no, you do not need to get them a phone contract and the latest in phones.

At the moment, it sounds like you are getting them all the stuff they want.

Obviously, you can stop doing that, as the things they want get more expensive.