Anyone Else Worried About More Kids with the Economy....?

I have three children and I think about this everyday. I am not planning on having any more children, but I often wonder how much more expensive is it going to get. I woulnd't let the economy sway your decision to have another child. There are always discount stores and my favorite the Carter's Outlet. there is nothing greater in life than having a child and there is no greater gift that you can give a child as a sibling. I have been surprised over the years as to how quick I can find a few extra bucks when my kid need something. I can go months saying I want to get a new pair of sneakers, but if the kids need them I get them immediatly and put off getting mine. As long as you and your husband are able to support your children than I would go for it. I have figured out that if you try to "afford" a child on paper, you never will! As long as you can love another child he/she will have everything they need!!

No matter when you have kids there is never enough money. I have 4 and they were dressed in hand me downs, thrift store purchases, gifts, and end of season clearance stuff. Toys came from tag sales including bikes. We've never had a wide screen tv or a new car ever. Haircuts from family haircut instead of the more expensive salons in the area. Family outings? Visits to the park or hikes along trails. There are a ton of ways to scrimp and save including sending them to community college for their first 2 years of higher education instead of more expensive private college.

As long as you don't worry about keeping up with the neighbors and their possessions you'll be fine.

Kristal,

Of course I think you should worry a little bit....but more important you should PLAN for it! There are many ways to make some extra money to help with the addede expense. Part of my reasoning for starting a home based business was the possibility of adding a 4th child to the family. I have worked my business to get to a place where I can make an informed decision both medically, emotionally and financially by October of this year. If you would like some info on how I started and grew my business working only 10-12 hours a week....let me know.

Hey Kristal-I'm glad you asked this question. I am pregnant with my first. I am 27 and my husband and I bought our first house a year and half ago. We are married, been together for 7 years and I'd like to think we can do anything together. Money was my biggest concern with starting a family...and still is. My feeling on it is: You'll work it out. Whatever you need to do, you will do make it. If you're both hard workers, and you have "enough" money left over every month than go for it. You cannot predict the future, nor can you worry or stop living! for it!! If you have a good strong relationship, you can do it. Sit down & do your budget and if something tells you you should hold off a little while longer (like your gut), than hold off. But if you feel ready, than do it!

God will provide.. I guess that is where we have to have faith.. other families do it .. a family at my church has just added a new baby to a family of 5 or 6 kids..

HI
I have 3 and they say once you get into multiples, it all blends together!!!
Anyway-the baby stuff is easier to skimp on than the college tution, weddings and everthing in between. We saved on our 3rd b/c I nursed for a year and made the baby food in the good ol' Magic Bullet. We bought fruits/veggies and smooshed them for baby. It was cheaper and healthier!! Diapers you can't get away with-sorry!! I had alot of friends donate thier clothes to me as I had 2 girls and all my friends with boys were generous. If it looks good, who cares where it comes from!?!? I don't shop at Toys R Us-WALMART has the same stuff cheaper!! Even garage sale finds can be good-puzzles, toys...just clean them down with Clorox Anywhere Spray!! My friends even made me dinners when I first had my son so that helped too.
The fact that you were watching CNN tells me you are a smart woman, in tune with what is going on in life-unlike many out there who just "have kids" and don't think about the future so "kudos to you"...
Essentially, it all works itself out. Do you want your daughter to be an only child? She can wind up being your best helper!! My kids always have a playmate handy-as well as someone to beat up unfortunately :)
Feel free to contact me with any thoughts but I wish you luck in your decision!!

K-
Hello. VZery good question. We just had #3 and do worry a bit. We live with in our means and I feel as long as you do you will be fine. I'm hoping to have one more. It just means our children will learn more about family and helping; what they truly mean and not worrying about newest latest fashion and how to get it. I see nothing wrong with that!! Good Luck!

Both my friends and I (who do not practice birth control) notice that with each baby, our husbands are blessed with bigger salaries... the law of the universe is what goes around comes around. If you have a spirit of giving (of your time and energy), you'll get back in other ways.

Quite frankly, with the way the economy is going, I am afraid NOT to have more children! I see my grandparents aging and needing care but only 1 of their 6 kids is in a position to take them in and offer stable care. We don't believe in tossing our loved ones in nursing homes, and with me being an only child and my husband's sister single, we are planning for 4 grandparents and several single aunts and uncles and all of our children to be taken care of BY US. This is the position we are trying to put ourselves in within the next 15 years; these are the values our children will watch and hopefully emulate. =) No matter how hard it is, no one ever grows old and says "I wish I didn't have that last child". But many lonely older people are saying now, "I wish I had had more children". I hear all about it because my mom is a rental agent for a senior living complex.

I didn't realize your posting was up and I just answered another request about haveing a 2nd baby and one of my comments was the economy. I have 2 of my own and a step-daughter and it is very hard! Not only do the dynamics of your family change once a new baby arrives, but you can certainly feel the dent in your pocket. My oldest is headed for college in the fall, by the grace of God I will be sending him. I have paid tuition for catholic schools for both my children all their lives because the public schools in my neiborhood are not the best. My husband is the only one working at this time and it is very hard indeed! Having children is no longer an easy task with the economy we live in. Who knows what is yet to be with a new president coming in. So at this point, it is a personal choice, and unfortunately the question one must ask is can we financially handle another baby. It is no longer the time where women stayed at home and cared for the children, unfortunately to stay afloat a household must have 2 working parents and then the question becomes, how do I afford daycare? Good luck on whatevere you decide, but yes, it will be rough economically.

I'm concerned. My husband works long hours and I work part time. My husband had a recent health scare that seems to be ok now but could continue if he doesn't take care of himself. The economy will get worse before it gets better.

I have an amazing 3.5 year old daughter. My husband is an only child and would be happy with just her. However, I was one of two. My older brother died in a motorcycle accident at 23. My parents were already divorced and I can't imagine how my mother could have gone on living without me. The thought of losing my daugther is frightening to me. I really don't know how my mom got through it. That's why I feel so strongly about wanting another child, in addition, of course, to just wanting another baby. Now that Cassie is a "big girl" I really miss the baby days. It won't be easy. But we'll make due if it's in God's plan for us. We're going to keep on trying. The economy is cyclical. Things will turn around in time.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide!