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Original poster

If I was younger I wouldn't be having a baby

107 replies

JingleBellez · 25/04/2023 16:33

because childcare costs are sky high, nappies and milk have gone through the roof.

Tell me I'm wrong.

OP posts:
kirsty2023 · 26/04/2023 17:32

Needmorelego · 26/04/2023 14:59

@kirsty2023 £50+£12+£10 = £72.
Child Benefit is £87 something (just gone up - forget the actual amount right now). So your Child Benefit will cover your milk/nappy/wipes costs and you'd have change.

Then u have to buy them clothes and shoes and food

Guineasrule · 26/04/2023 17:45

I would not have a child in this country (or the US) tbh. The school system is out of control, health care a lottery & child care costs are the same as a mortgage.

GoodChat · 26/04/2023 18:06

@kirsty2023 child benefit isn't to cover the whole cost of raising a child

defi · 26/04/2023 18:45

Child benefit is an absolute pittance and if you're relying on it to raise a child you're in for a very difficult time.

Pahpahpotato · 26/04/2023 18:51

Tell you you’re wrong, why? Childcare is expensive, everything is more expensive than it used to be, you personally wouldn’t choose to have children now based on the CoL (I have my doubts…), none of that is wrong. I do, however, think it’s easy to say that, given your time again, you’d not have children from the position of already having children. It’s very much a pointless hypothetical.

updin · 26/04/2023 19:47

Babies cost peanuts

Not if you factor in childcare costs or drop of income if reducing hours.

Needmorelego · 26/04/2023 20:10

@kirsty2023 clothes/shoes/toys can be got for very little cost - secondhand sales, hand me downs.
Even prams are cheap if you buy secondhand. My friend got a Bugaboo for 40 quid from Facebook Marketplace.
@JingleBellez there are plenty of ways to spend little on babies. See what I have written above.

kirsty2023 · 26/04/2023 20:12

Needmorelego · 26/04/2023 20:10

@kirsty2023 clothes/shoes/toys can be got for very little cost - secondhand sales, hand me downs.
Even prams are cheap if you buy secondhand. My friend got a Bugaboo for 40 quid from Facebook Marketplace.
@JingleBellez there are plenty of ways to spend little on babies. See what I have written above.

Not everyone wants second hand stuff I sure wouldn't put any of my kids in it

Needmorelego · 26/04/2023 20:13

@kirsty2023 well then parenthood will be expensive for you.
Oh well. Your choice.

Daffodilmorning · 26/04/2023 20:15

The cost of baby things now is just my normal 🤷‍♀️. I wasn’t looking at how much it cost in 06 because I didn’t have any children.

bellsbuss · 26/04/2023 20:21

DH and we're only saying recently that if we were starting out now we wouldn't be able to afford to have 4 children and we wouldn't be able to afford to buy the first house we bought.

kirsty2023 · 26/04/2023 20:30

Needmorelego · 26/04/2023 20:13

@kirsty2023 well then parenthood will be expensive for you.
Oh well. Your choice.

It's called putting ur kids needs b4 ur self like I see most mums putting them selfs b4 there kids ( getting hair and nails done and smoking )

Needmorelego · 26/04/2023 21:19

@kirsty2023 I always put my child and her needs before mine.
I can do that on a budget.

updin · 26/04/2023 21:27

@kirsty2023 lol are mums not allowed to get their hair and nails done?!

kirsty2023 · 26/04/2023 21:31

updin · 26/04/2023 21:27

@kirsty2023 lol are mums not allowed to get their hair and nails done?!

No I didn't say they couldn't but it really gets to me wen u hear people moaning they are skint and ain't got much food but they have just come out a nail salon

kirsty2023 · 26/04/2023 21:32

Needmorelego · 26/04/2023 21:19

@kirsty2023 I always put my child and her needs before mine.
I can do that on a budget.

Same here I never said I didn't sorry if that's what u fort

Itsanotherhreatday · 26/04/2023 23:14

A fight to the bottom.

Lovely:

In 1980’s families had suitcases of maternity clothes and baby stuff that just got passed on.

No fancy orals, just well built pram that only needed to be in use for a few months - now it’s all baby showers, expensive peaks, must have bottle warms - it’s like a competition, babies don’t remember their first couple of years.

Babies can be on a budget - but your average family should be able to afford children and not scrape by and be grateful.

Mossstitch · 27/04/2023 00:13

shivawn · 25/04/2023 20:25

Pampers are fairly expensive although you can usually find offers if you shop around. Aldi nappies are around £3.

Show quote history

My children are all in their 30s, by accident I noticed the price of nappies recently and was shocked that they are actually cheaper than when I bought them😵(UK)
I breastfed and a lot of second hand clothes, child benefit pretty much covered the cost of them when little!

Kyse · 27/04/2023 00:32

Childcare is the main thing. I got pregnant (not planned, used two forms of contraception). Wanted the baby, looked at the costs and realised it was a pipe dream especially if no maintenance paid. Had to terminate and then needed 6 months of counselling because a termination you didn't want to have is shit

Now approaching 40 and realised I won't ever be able to afford a child whether I wanted one or not. And slightly sick of people presuming I never wanted children. I did but circumstance...

Codlingmoths · 27/04/2023 01:10

DustyLee123 · 25/04/2023 18:30

I breast fed so didn’t have that to pay out for.

I breastfed, bought breastfeeding friendly bras, breast pads so I didn’t leak everywhere, nipple cream, some clothes that fitted and I could feed in… it wasn’t free!
also breastfeeding is only ‘free’ if you have the time and opportunity free to do it.

TMess · 27/04/2023 02:23

Surely it’s all relative. I’m having my fifth this year. Women have had babies in much worse conditions than a higher COL in 2023 vs 2006.

Missingmyusername · 27/04/2023 02:29

Ohwhathaveidonenow · 25/04/2023 16:36

What about if you don't intend spending any money on nappies, milk or childcare? Biscuit

How does that work? Ok if you bf and are a sahm but nappies? Besides aren’t they more expensive as they get older?

If you really want children I don’t think money will put you off having one child? Possibly more, yes.

snitzelvoncrumb · 27/04/2023 02:50

I think if the cost of living continues the way it is some people will choose not to have children and others only have one. I think we will see a decline in births in the next few years if something doesn’t change.

Jackienory · 27/04/2023 03:37

Everything is expensive.

pearlycurly · 27/04/2023 06:21

@updin that's what worked for us had dc young whilst working towards career. Career took a break but then got back in the wagon and now have careers. This is where I would support subsidised childcare for those who are on back to work schemes after dc or going for a career that would definitely lead to paying higher taxes in the future. Short term cost for long term gain. Having dc younger was all round easier imo but childcare costs are crippling!