Should I have another baby or not?

sanfrancisco

I would go on a spending drought for 6 months. It seems like you have/ are just about to move into a new house which can be an expensive time. If you start trying in the summer, you will work until next Easter, then get SMP for 1 year (I think). Work out what your debt will be at Easter 2008. See if you are happy with this.

If you really, really go for it with paying back debts over next 6m/1y you will feel really in control and not guilty (which I know I suffered from with debts - OMG still do feel bad when I spend money, and now have savings).

Broken_hearted

When I fell pregnant with my youngest we were drowning in debt paying the mortgage and the credit cards with the credit cards. I hadn't planned on getting pregnant but we coped, friends and family love to spoil babies. Plus having older children you should have a lot of things you need.
The only person who can decide for you is you.

immoral_angeluk

Noone is EVER financially ready for children but you learn to manage. Both our children (I say children, we have 1 already and another due any day.) weren't planned and we've never been in what I'd call a 'financially stable' enough environment in which I would've sat down and said to DH 'Let's have children'. Kids are expensive little creatures but you learn to manage and rebudget and don't forget you'll get extra help from child benefit and tax credits.
Also like others have said you fertility drops as you get older so you'd be better off having them younger rather than older.

But only you know the answer to your question.

HazelEyes_3

I don't think money should be the final deciding factor. My career got in the way of extending our family and with the benefit of hindsight (which is always 20/20) I would swap the promotions for another child any day.

Thought it might be worth reminding you about this
from April 2009 every mother-to-be will be eligible for Child Benefit from week 29 of their pregnancy

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

immoral_angeluk

HazelEyes wrote:

I don't think money should be the final deciding factor. My career got in the way of extending our family and with the benefit of hindsight (which is always 20/20) I would swap the promotions for another child any day.

Thought it might be worth reminding you about this
from April 2009 every mother-to-be will be eligible for Child Benefit from week 29 of their pregnancy

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Oooooh best get working on DH to soften him up to the idea of another baby if we'll get child benefit from week 29!!! Not sure how happy he'd be about that! I've not even had our 2nd yet and he's already talking vasectomies! :rotfl:

earthmother

I say go with your heart


I let my 'head' stop us trying for no.2 for over a year (non-financial reasons) - but wasn't happy during that period at all. We finally let our hearts decide, and everything just felt right again - to the point that we did it again, lol. So now we have our three wonderful boys and are happier than we could ever imagine - even with no spare cash and a severe lack of sleep


You are obviously in control of your debts - they're not controlling you - so go with what you feel is right 'inside' - letting outside factors (however strong or important) influence you completely will rarely make you happy.

raq

hI

I recently had my third baby at the age of 37, shock but what a joy. You do manage as am not in work at the moment you'd be surprised how little you do spend. Don't get me wrong children are expensive, but you know how to get by and buy things that they actually do require. Christmas for example I only spent £350.00 on the three of them. Okay we are not rolling in money but I must admit we have more from the wftc than when I was working. 1/3rd of this now goes towards the children and the rest against our debt.

It's your decision, but I don't regret mine one little bit.

good luck what ever you decide.

anniestar

I agree that there is never a good time to do something so major. You should go with your heart. Now htat you have this site and with it all the advice and tips that go with it, you will manage. If you DO know that you want another child then go for it. Good luck. On a lighter note by any chanch are you in the Manchester area(and at a nice school?) only I know a FANTASTIC English teacher(currently doing a mat cover) So, if you could just arrange to bestarting your mat leave in Sep?????????????????????????????? only joking, seriously the very best of luck to you and your family.

Snaggles

If you really want to have another baby now, I would do it. You will cope financially - if you have children already you probably have some of the things you will need. A new baby doesn't have to cost very much, you can breastfeed them exclusively for the first 6 months and can also buy re-useable nappies, which, whilst they cost a bit to start with, overall they seem to save 30% - 50% on nappy costs compared to disposeables (more if you sell them on eBay afterwards).

I'm pregnant with my second at age 32 - I had my first at age 26, and I can tell you that pregnancy doesn't seem to get easier with age lol!!

Good luck with it, whatever you decide!

Immoral - hope you're doing okay, I know you haven't long to go now. I'm jealous!