The Price of Children

[pskhaat]

$24 a day seems low to me. Many thousands of dollars extra per year per child on health care, increased life insurance for both parents, larger vehicles (yes when other cars don't even have enough seat belts), fuel for commuting to mandated schooling, frequent copays, organic foods for the first few years, clothing and shoes seemingly every week, endless laundry, lights left on, loss of sleep causing loss of career promotions, extra cooking, sippy cups and onesies, high chairs, &c &c. Priced a car seat lately, strollers, hot bath water and bubble soap, crib, baby monitor. I could go on and on and on Don't get me started on the price vs. value of pre-school.

[NikonRon]

And when they grow into adults you'll miss those little children everyday. But now we have grandchildren. Worth every penny? You better believe it! Ron

2- daughters here. 24 and 30 yrs. old
2- grandsons 3 wks. and 8 yrs. old

[Maddmatt]

Yeah, I'm with Pshkaat - $24/day feels cheap, but I've only got two - maybe there's an economy of scale I'm missing.


I'll happily pay whatever it costs.

[Bill Beers]

$24/day must be over their lifetimes. Hell, I'm at $1200/month right now for daycare. Thankfully, the older one starts school soon!

-Bill

[James86004]

Not only bigger vehicles to haul things around, but you are less willing to put up with a vehicle that breaks down by the side of the road, so you have to spend more on either a newer one, or more on fixing things.

There is nothing like having a kid with you to break the ice with strangers when you are traveling. I think half the reason we got on so well out in the remote countryside in Japan is we brought our 6-year-old out there with us.

[hrjaw]

this was nice to read as I have my first one on the way and am looking forward to a lot of the things mentioned (an exception on the first date if it is a girl ).

[RedDog]

I think it has to be clarified that the $24./day number is not just food but amortized total costs. That would include over the years, furniture, bedding, clothing, deductions on dental costs, insurance costs, additional water and power, laundry (a full load of water for ONE pair of jeans), band instrument rental fees, dance fees, sports fees, school fees, swimming lessons, summer camp, library cards, etc., etc., etc. A co-worker just had a $600. weekend for a hockey tournament several hundred miles away. It all adds up - hotels, fuel, food, parking, etc. A few trips like that and the vehicle needs an oil change and service again.

I have no children, but I've been blessed with a step-daughter in my life whom I would die for without hesitation. She is the most perfect thing on earth.

[Buckru]

I have a 1.5 yo son and a 3.5 yo daughter. It is amazing how much joy and stress they can bring at the same time.

It is an inner struggle for me at times. Wanting them to stay the age they are now but knowing my job is to raise them so they can go make their mark in the world.

I recently thanked my dad for all that he has taught me and done for me in my life. His reply was not what I expected. He said "outside of the fundamentals of life, the only thing I ever did was provide you with opportunities. You did the rest"

[durango_60]

$24 a day seems low to me. Many thousands of dollars extra per year per child on health care, increased life insurance for both parents, larger vehicles (yes when other cars don't even have enough seat belts), fuel for commuting to mandated schooling, frequent copays, organic foods for the first few years, clothing and shoes seemingly every week, endless laundry, lights left on, loss of sleep causing loss of career promotions, extra cooking, sippy cups and onesies, high chairs, &c &c. Priced a car seat lately, strollers, hot bath water and bubble soap, crib, baby monitor. I could go on and on and on Don't get me started on the price vs. value of pre-school.

I've been to your house, your kids certainly have an above average lifestyle.

[pskhaat]

Dr. Durango, I should say the same for you, but I would sincerely hope their lifestyle is due to the love we give