Babies

Brightspark87

This is all so true. Last night we talked about it and said how lovely it would be to have a baby etc but with family issues (MIL is with a horrid abusive man) and money so tight prob best to wait....

DigForVictory

Don't worry about affording a family. Once you have a child, you'll find you can cope just fine without a lot of things. (Even sleep, up to a point.)

In debt in London is more telling - if you can get it paid off, excellent, or just down to a small amount a month - better than you are.

Your health is more important. Get as fit & healthy as you reasonably can (both of you!) & see what happens!

I wouldn't hold off on trying to conceive as my mother in law was in an iffy relationship. That said, if she comes round in floods, needing booze comfort & defence, being pregnant will not help. It may motivate her to move on out if she wants to be a happy granny though.

I came back from honeymoon with baggage on board. (The medics had told me I'd need their help - bless them, they were so right, nine months later!)

Never wait to have "enough" money.

bunnybunnyrabbit

We wanted to wait until we had bought a house (rather than rent one) but in the end I was so so broody we didn't wait as long as we had planned to. For me it felt like a physical and biological urge that I couldn't put off any longer!

When I got pregnant, we were still renting (still are) and my husband didn't even have a permanent job (he does now). Our daughter is 7 months old now and (despite having the pregnancy from hell) she is the best thing that could have ever happened to us. Parenthood is challenging but seeing my daughter smile and learn and experience new things every day is more wonderful than anything I've ever experienced. I know this is mushy but she really does brighten up the world for me!


I personally think it's foolish to plan a baby if you're really struggling financially. However, you didn't say how much debt you have to pay off (sorry if that's a personal question!) I would just advise to be sensible when thinking about money but don't put off having a baby for the sake of being debt-free. If you are managing and could manage with a baby in tow whilst paying off your debt monthly, I don't see any reason to wait if that's what you both want. I think you'll know when the time is right :-)

Brightspark87

hi! we have quite high levels of debt - Mine £13k his £10k but getting these down ASAP! I think waiting until we move (tiny 1 bed at the mo) and just paying off more of our debt will make such a huge difference...

I am broody, I have a large family and so does he so we really want babies.

I love hearing all your stories... how did you guys work around your jobs though?

Kazza_Monkey

Hi BrightSpark87,

it's like hearing an echo of my younger self hearing you saying about babies and can you afford them

Congratulations on your recent Marriage
Thought I'd tell you my own experience...

Got married 2003 lived in a 1 bed flat loads of debt from being foolish and a student. managed to get enough equity to buy a 2 bed bungalow june 2004, started trying for baby aug 2004 (aged 23) 9 months later April 2005 we were pregnant with our first daughter. Still in a bit of debt but - new born babies really arent as expensive as the press would have you believe, breast feeding is free, nappies are the biggest expense but you can find lots of offers and coupons, clothing isnt mega expensive and if you have got a large family you will probably benefit from a deluge of baby clothes. I have a second Daughter born September 2008. And the biggest shock to me and hubby a few days ago we are expecting baby no 3 Jan 2015.

We are able to provide for all our children and they have never wanted for anything - I think the whole thing about affordability of children is made up.

As I work in an office:
With my first I worked up until 2 weeks before I was due.
With my second I worked up til 4 days before I was due (I dont reccomend this though as it caused me blood pressure problems)
This one I'll probably work til just before I'm booked in for the the c section.

Good luck with it and please dont let finances get in the way.

If you really want a baby go for it, you can always make adjustments to cope xxx

thefishdude

when you are not bothered about being able to go out together any time you want. to go on holiday any time you want or to make arrangements to do anything anytime you want and anywere you want to then you are ready to have a baby