What's the cost of having children?

Mrs_Rachel_Trelfa

Hi all, hope that you not mind me stopping by. I normally frequent the MFW board however I have been browsing this board recently due to being very broody.

Although I do not have children, the hubby and I have already said that we would like to start trying next year so I must say this thread is very interesting reading and a lot to think about and discuss with the hubby about financial baby matters.

Loft_Boy

In all honesty if people waited until they were financially comfortable enough to have kids then the human race would have died out long ago.


The main thing is the loss of a 2nd income, my Mrs went back after 12 months on a 4 day week but is now off again expecting out 2nd child.


We do ok, we're not minted but equally so we're not eating value beans every night. We are lucky in that we have family close by and they have helped with Childcare etc and also have spoilt our little girl rotten, the amount of times Nana, or Granny turn up with a new little top is mad.


It is expensive having kids, but you end up making sacrifices you wouldn't have normally done before you had them. Holidays abroad, nights out with the girls / boys, work night outs. That last minute Euro break. The ludicrous gym membership you used to pay but hardly use, the new jeans, top, trainers you bought etc etc.


You adapt your lifestyle accordingly and Saturday afternoons are not spent with mates in the beer garden, but down the park, feeding the ducks.


Do I miss some of things above , yeah of course I'd be lying if I said I didn't and if some people don't want to lose that freedom then fair play to them.


Would I change it, not at all.