to ask why having kids is expensive?

[HodgePodge23]

What do you need to buy them apart from toys, food, clothes and a few other bits and bobs here and there? I have an 8 month old so maybe things will get more expensive with time, but I really don't understand why people say having children is expensive. What are people spending their money on?

Pacific

I think we should club together and get rid of Stampy

Helllooooooooooooooooooooooo

My parents worked really hard too, but they still couldn't help us through university. People are low wages work hard for their living as well.

Christina, shhhh, I think if we plan it together it becomes a conspiracy and the punishment will be harsher

four

don't yours?!
they fall and rip their clothes.
they draw on the walls when I'm not looking because I'm dealing with something else.
they spill their food on the carpet
they drop things and break them
they play football and end up with holes in their shoes.
one broke a stair gate because he wouldn't listen, jumped and fell against it
they are kids, they are messy and destructive and forgetful.

is that brand new information?

Ah ok, I will meet you round the back of Aibu, I shall be wearing a trench coat

psst. I want in

Zing

All welcome, wear a carnation and the password is creeper

zing mine still break loads of things. 6yo dd draws on anything and throws things when she's in a strop (her hudl and Nintendo ds are slightly iffy now). she's even damaged the previously heavy duty laminate floor by deliberately dropping wooden box on it.

don't yours?!
they fall and rip their clothes. - yes sometimes

they draw on the walls when I'm not looking because I'm dealing with something else. No- because I keep pens safe.
they spill their food on the carpet yes but it can be cleaned up.

they drop things and break them - I tend not to give them breakable things.
they play football and end up with holes in their shoes.
one broke a stair gate because he wouldn't listen, jumped and fell against it
they are kids, they are messy and destructive and forgetful.- Sounds a one off.

is that brand new information?grin

got it

PD

mine keep coming in the kitchen looking for food like some raccoons, every half an hour after dinner.
after having eaten till they can eat no more. what is it with boys and their hollow stomachs?

DS1 just turned 14, he is 4 inches taller than me and wear size 9.5 shoes!
12 yo DS2 is now officially taller than me, shoes are size 9 or 10 depending on shoes.
it's madness

four

how old are your children?

Zing - no mine don't do any of that. Odd hole in trousers from falling over, but no drawing on walls, breaking furniture, food on carpets, no broken screens etc. They are 4 and 5

Why does that matter zing?

why wouldn't you answer me?

.

At beginning of the year ds went to school with brand new Clark's shoes.... On day one he returned wearing one shoe, at no point did he question this or look for shoe

DC1 has a calculated calorie need the same as mine. His last pair of school shoes were an adult size 4.5 and were bought in April while he was still six years old. Today he has been wearing my trainers (5.5) which suggests that £48 pair won't be of use in September when he will also need new PE trainers, casual shoes and football boots. Even at Brantano/Sports Direct we won't get change from £100. Did I mention May?

oh Christina

just how?
was the mystery ever sold?

Was getting changed back into uniform after gym, could only find one shoe so thought oh well and put the one shoe on

This is same boy who after another gym session put on a cardigan for the day even though it's only the girls that wear cardigans and he just had a shirt on going to school

I love him already
probably best if he doesn't choose a job based on having keen observational skills

Was probably thinking about minecraft and you tube, hence my desire to dispose of Stampy!

Goodness, mine has never cost me anything in 'broken' or damaged stuff..

Ripped clothes or shoes? Never.

Broken furniture? Never.

Damaged toys or controllers or phone or laptop or Ipad? Never.

Dropped food on floor as a baby? Yes, but that's wipeable.

He's 14. Can't say he's cost a penny in damaged stuff...

school clothes for 15 yr old is over £200 alone with his Samba trainers £67, 3 pairs of black jeans £100 (only non designer ones he has the others are £60/70 a pair) I could go on and on and that's just clothing

But a 15 year old doesn't need designer trainers or expensive jeans - that is your choice to buy those sorts of shoes/clothes. Equally to the previous poster whose child was wearing Vans trainers at £60 .

Children are obviously expensive if you choose to spend huge sums on them - but none of that is essential.

I have a teenager but there is just no way I would buy designer stuff for him. As I said earlier, he saves up his Christmas and birthday money and has quite a substantial amount now stashed away - but if he won't use his own money to buy designer labels then I certainly won't use mine..

Oh, sorry, maybe £1.50. He once smashed a box of eggs as a toddler.