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?

Yes-what starbrite said.

Hodgepodge-it is true that some people spend a great deal more than they need to(and that is their choice) but surely most parents want their children to be able to develop their talents and interests. Also basic food and clothing takes a high proportion of income for some families and NO this is not whining or blaming the kids-people want to spend this money and do it willingly.

you cant retrain unless you pay full fees,

Ive just completed and access course. It was free for everyone on the course. I was the only parent. I will pay the same uni fees as all my other classmates (well, less than those who are travelling to england to study) that option is available to you as a married SAHP just as it was to me as a lone WOHP.

You had a relatively unusual set-up before having your baby - i.e., a couple with no children, and one person only working a few hours.

If you'd both been full-time before having children you would inevitably have noticed a massive drop in income. Children are expensive - you just don't notice it because you were already close to running on one income before having them. You presumably noticed the drop in income when you went from full time to part time!

fancy Its not just America that has tax breaks for having DC. It's also Canada, Germany, France, Denmark and Holland.

Also, taxes in the Us have changed quite a bit. DH and I pay much less income tax and VAT here but we pay way more in property taxes. Try $15k for a 2300 sqft home which is an average family home. In an excellent school district property taxes can run up to $75k. Anything up to $40k is considered normal. These property taxes enable the state to offer welfare to those in need. This country has changed so much in the past 30 years. We do well because we earn lots and don't buy into the big house, private schools when the township sends half the high school to ivies, and flashy cars. Makes us less attractive to many others but also acts as an excellent filter.

We say no to our kids all the time. If we sign them up for an activity they must complete the schedule unless their health is at risk. If they don't complete they don't get to choose he next activity. We also only sign them up for 3 activites after school. Right now swimming is done by both as young. Dd started riding lessons and while it's expensive at $50 a half hour lesson she loves it. Dd asked to do art as her 3rd activity so we are doing it at home in Sunday afternoons with a couple of her friends. DS does music class and an art therapy class. The art therapy is 100% covered by our expat insurance otherwise it would be $80 per session.

We had UK tax relief for children in the past which went mostly to fathers who often gave none to mothers. Then universal child benefit came in to ensure women had money to feed children. Then they abolished it from loads of us but without giving us back the child tax allowances. The state just takes and takes more and more taxes and gets bigger and bigger.

RedDaisyRed could i be really cheeky and ask if you to consider my little thread here please? Apologies if you have seen it and are trying to politely ignore it. I dont wish to pester and will shutup and leave you alone now

Ive been out today buying school uniform, two are starting secondary and eldest is teenager. Spent £300 and eldest didn't even need a new blazer this term. Still have to buy school shoes and PE kit from the school inc two pairs of footie boots Astro turf and normal.

As for food it's like a plague of locusts. I cannot believe how much they can eat and still be hungry.

Wouldn't swap them for the world though.

I will have a look

It definitely is the case t hat they get more expensive as they get older. Even just as preschoolers, they wear their clothes out faster.

I enjoy working PT for a variety of reasons. Genuinely feel that I'm a better mum because of it. Everyone's different though, some find that not working or working ft is best for their family.

My three year old is cheap apart from the massive cost of childcare!!!!
She will get more expensive when she actually starts to eat more.
Cheap days out for us to the park or London museums now.