Can any parent explain the cost of having a child please?

Absolutely impossible ST, I have 2 girls, not spoilt by a long stretch but don’t go without to the best of my abilities, being a parent is no easy task but the best job I’ve ever had or ever will have

 

totally agree

 

When young its all the gear, nappies, kitting out the house, toys, days out, clothes, clubs, holidays. Nursery and pre school fees the biggest killer. Then when they get older itl be pocket money, clothes, trainers, games and tech no doubt. And what kids get for xmas these days is ridiculous tbf compared to back int day!

Its not cheap especially when u get more than one but at least u can reuse a lot if close together like ours. It all adds up tho to what they reckon is 250k on average. Depends what u want from life. Get a lot out of it and u cant buy the happiness you get from all the smiles and laughter - and it outweighs the stress and agro.

 

wow if only it was that cheap. Certainly was not for us.

 

Hah there is deffo compound interest on that once they reproduce and have their own family too! Lol

 

The cost has gone up since the employment rules have changed , not much demand for chimney work or factory and mine work

 

Money though, just a narrative innit? Why do we break everything into monetary cost?
The cost/value of children cannot be measured in money, surely?

 

Oh yeah, forgot about birthdays. A kids' party can easily go north of £300 unless you're very careful with the spends.

 

Glad we never had kids

 

The value is definitely immeasurable. But the cost in pounds is very real. Luckily, I'm in the fortunate position that I don't have to worry about any of the basics, it's the luxuries which I need to consider more carefully before splashing out. But for many parents, even being able to afford the bare minimum for their kids is a proper struggle. For them, the cost of every item they buy for their kids is important, as if something goes wrong, there won't be enough food to go round that week, or their kid will be going to school in shoes with holes in.

 

I can tell you that the narrative of “how much your kids are costing you” is unhelpful on a number of levels in my opinion.

 

exactly - these types of surveys are daft and pointless
If you want another child you can cut your cloth accordingly

 

I think upscaling house size and, if like us having 3, the cost of holidays rockets due to either needing a villa or an extra room boosts the cost. Also as the oldest 2 are allowed a couple of drinks on a night on holiday it’s like going out with another couple that never buy you a round back.
The thing is, if you choose to commit to having these little cherubs and you pay 100% for the privilege, I can understand the numbers.
As it inevitably springs up from time to time that so and so’s mum has bought them something expensive then all 3 have been politely told at the time that they may be better off living with them as we won’t tolerate brats.

 

We also need an understanding of the ‘average’.

if you’re on NMW in a council house shopping at Aldi and counting the pennies, then you’re unlikely to be spending an extra £100 a week, likewise if you’re keeping a child at a posh boarding school then £200 a week won’t come close.

in essence; I can see where the figure comes from but that doesn’t mean it’s ‘realistic’ for everyone.

 

go and remind me why dont ya. Fortune is an understatement

now i need therapy

 

We have three kids and sent them all through one nursery - our work nursery as it happens - in the most expensive year, when all three were in for 2.5 days a week, the bill was £10,500.
At that time my wife worked those 2.5 days per week and was paid about £12k after tax.

The other cost that surprised me was when I realised that kids need six or seven types of shoes at any time - or school shoes, tidy-looking trainers for weekends, black gym/PE pumps, football boots, wellies, hiking boots/ outdoor trainers, slippers - plus anything specialist like rugby/cricket/netball trainers. Then they need them all replacing three times a year because of the rate they’re growing - with three kids we were actually buying about 60 pairs of footwear a year (although we managed some hand-me-downs on things like wellies)

 

My son costs me that in food alone.

 

We have 4 , all teenagers now or nearly. Spending money and mobile phones alone 400 a month . Some of the childcare costs I've heard , along with the ones on this thread are nothing short of a disgrace . The days of this country supporting families are long gone but we are all happy to reap the benefits when they grow up , pay taxes and provide services / goods we all need .

 

Whatttt? You give them £100 a week each on spending money and a phone contract?

I'm a fully grown adult and my pH me contract plus 'spending money' is half that.

 

25 a week each . 100 per week and I'd say that's low to what some kids get . 400 a month seems such a lot too , save up a year and exotic holiday here I come . But divvied up to try and get by on it's not so great . If anything it does highlight what " wealth " is .