Cost v's number of children

SambaRamba

Perhaps if the government was to higher the minimum wage to a realistic level that reflects todays rising cost of living, there would be no need for tax credits.

Lots of families work dam hard to earn roughly 12-13k a year, while one parent stays home to bring up the baby and give him/her the best part of their time during their early years.

Tax credits shouldn't be abused though, once the kids are in school maybe the other parent should think about earning an income - providing its worth their while.

I don't think anyone should be knocked for claiming tax credits, perhaps what we need to be asking is why they're available in the 1st place??

pinkfluffybabe

SambaRamba wrote:

I don't think anyone should be knocked for claiming tax credits, perhaps what we need to be asking is why they're available in the 1st place??

No one is knocking anyone for claiming tax credits. I am personally knocking folk who have kids knowing they cannot afford them, and expecting the state to subsidise their offspring.

I do agree with your post though, but then the rising costs of living isn't much covering increasing fuel costs, interest rate rises and so on.

woohoo

How I love a debate!

I have 2 lovely kids and would probably have more IF I COULD AFFORD TO. However, I can't. Hubby and i have good jobs - I work part time to spend time with kids, but can't afford to stop work completely. Actually nor would I want to. I like work! Get nothing from tax credits and have huge child care costs - but still better off working my part time job.

There is no way in the world I would want to rely on benefits to look after my family. We work hard for what we get. Similarly, it makes me puke to think we pay for people who pop babies out and can't afford them. It makes me fume actually. As someone posted previously, the rich/poor gap is only going to get bigger. Why don't people take responsibilty for their own? It is a different mentality - I can't get my head around it!

Get to the point woohoo.........OP - what your sister does is up to her. She has her own reasons. I agree with her!

ailuro2

Perhaps people could be allowed access to the 'full scale' benefits system for a limited time only, the time limit relating to how many years you had paid into it.
At 36 I have been paying tax and National Insurance contributiona for 20 years, non stop.(Yes, I do feel fortunate to have been working that length of time.)
That is more than 100 pounds a week,every week.x52.x20 years.Lots of money for a tenner a week tax credit!I'm not forgetting the child benefit we get.I'm not complaining, I'd be happy if the government gave every child a healthy school dinner for free instead of administration and paperwork heavy credits for small amounts of benefits (our tax credits just cover our school dinner cost)
If it were on a pay-in to pay out basis, if I were to fall on hard times I would be allowed access to the system for, say 20 weeks at full benefit, 20 weeks at half benefit, thereafter at a level where I would have to get off my butt and clean loos for a living (no shame in that- and it can be done when kids are at school!) I believe if there are two parents in the family one of them should be out earning.No matter how small an amount, it keeps respect and a work ethic in the family.



I grew up poor with disabled parents, and was always being reminded we had no money for anything, my dh was similar, but there were 6 of them plus his parents living on benefits.
No, it's nothing like the Waltons,it's downright bloody miserable and you grow up resenting your parents for being so irresponsible and putting you through such hard times.

Rachie_B

Crispy_Ambulance wrote:

I think it is so important to respect everyone's choices when it comes to having children. Deciding not to have children or not to have any more children is not selfish - if you don't want/can't afford any more kids (I am not just talking money - there are emotional and practical costs as well) then I applaud people for being sensible.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be able to provide for the child/children you have and deciding not to have any more for this reason.

well said :T

i am :eek: @ some of the things said in this thread ,OMG !!!!

tiamaria

I think there are more factors to consider than tax credits.

I grew up hating being an only child and feel I missed out on that strong bond only possible with a sibling, friends are not the same. When my parents died there was only me to deal with everything. My own children missed out on having aunties, uncles and cousins.

However, some people like being the only one and as there are now more only children around, they probably aren't as lonely as I was.

Not trying to have a go at anyone, all circumstances are different, it's just my own personal view from being the only one.

liney

I think she should be quite proud of herself that she provides for them and looks after them herself.

She doesnt though does she.

I have one child. My reasons for not having another are no ones business but mine and my husbands, but the fact that we could not afford to feed them without handouts certainly would be a consideration.

I suppose if the OPs sister was producing 5 children to drain the public coffers they would get along famously.

What will you do if Tax Credits are abolished, or benefits are capped to a maximum per family ?

ailuro2

Go on wife swap and earn a bit more, a la Lizzie Beardsley (sp?)

j/kidding, not trying to antagonise anyone here, but Lizzie is a classic example of people using the system and draining it compared to the original intention of the welfare state.

pinkfluffybabe

tiamaria wrote:

I think there are more factors to consider than tax credits.

I grew up hating being an only child and feel I missed out on that strong bond only possible with a sibling, friends are not the same. When my parents died there was only me to deal with everything. My own children missed out on having aunties, uncles and cousins.

However, some people like being the only one and as there are now more only children around, they probably aren't as lonely as I was.

Not trying to have a go at anyone, all circumstances are different, it's just my own personal view from being the only one.

I loved being an only child. I appreciate that not everyone feels the same way, and it does scare me that when my parents die it will be only me.

ailuro2

At least being an only child there will be no-one to argue with over who gets what, as very often happens when someone dies.

We have an only child, not through choice, but we do try to make up for it by bringing her up to be a sociable child who makes friends easily.And giving her all of our love and attention, no need to wait in line.:p