How do people afford children if they have no family to help with childcare?

[MidnightChild]

I feel having a child is so expensive, with the main costs being childcare and/or loss of earnings.

We have no family near us, which really puts me off having a baby as I know the childcare costs would be more than my wage. There would be no point even working, just to pay someone else to look after my child. On the other hand, we couldn't afford to live on just my partner's wage. Especially considering the cost of houses today.

It does make me feel sad, as I really can't see how we could do it without living in hardship. I know many people say if you want a baby you will be prepared to live in a difficult life for a few years, but I've never believed in doing something if I can't afford to.

Sorry to sound bitter but it feels like only the very rich can afford to have children these days, or those lucky enough to have a supportive family.

As previous posters have said, you wait Until you’re in a position I.e.earning enough to start a family then you put up with the costs for a few years until things get easier. More people have to rely totally on childcare than you think - I’ve never had family living nearby. I’ve worked outside the home for 25 years and have three children. For 11 of those years I was on my own (just one child at that stage) and still worked. It got easier.

As previous posters have said, you wait Until you’re in a position I.e.earning enough to start a family then you put up with the costs for a few years until things get easier.

Thats a very middle-class-centric view, though, isn't it?

What is the alternative, start a family regardless of whether you can afford it?

One child, one SAHP, no childcare (SN childcare is very difficult to find). Our house is in a cheap area of the city, deliberately chosen so that we can afford the mortgage on just one income. We wouldn't be in this 'burb by choice.

My nursery bill is 2k per month and I work full time. Have family very nearby but get zero help. I can only dream of getting tax credits. Not entitled to a penny because on paper look well off but the 2k nursery bill is not considered and the reality is skint. I have to say this the darkest time of my life financially and on many other levels.

I'm a single parent with no family support, support from the ex or support from anyone, no maintenance etc. I also earn a very low income. I took a year maternity leave, then I found a fairly cheap nursery and claimed tax credits until my child started school. I then found an even cheaper nursery for after school and holidays which worked out at £300 per month. I then stopped claiming tax credits as I didn't need it anymore. My child is now a teenager and I don't need childcare anymore. I've never had a babysitter and nobody has ever offered me help with childcare.