Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

I would rather give my child a sibling then little classes and extra toys, things like that. but there is a limit on how many kids I can afford. I don't think I can afford 5 kids, but I figure If I can afford one or two, I could probably afford #3 if I really wanted it!

I hear people spending $ on class after class ( I do now bc DS is an only baby), spending on extra curricular activities, unnecessary amounts of clothes and shoes (esp for DD's), and 5000.00 Camps?!!! no wonder people say they can't afford more kids!

ETS I really would like 2 children only, but my DH REALLY wants 3 children so we shall see

Message edited 8/24/2009 4:39:06 PM.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

It's not the only reason but it's a big factor. I know that it would be easier for us to only provide for 1, but I do want DD to have a sibling so we went for #2. But after this one, I think I'll be okay to stop. I want to know that we'll have enough money to pay for college, weddings, vacations, new clothes without struggling. Even now with one, there are some months that it's harder than others and I just wouldn't want to put that on us all of the time.

Plus I work and it's hard enough balancing 1!

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

For us, finances dictate WHEN we'll have more rather than IF. I know I want to have at least 3, possibly 4, but that we'll see about later on. We have 2 kids & that's all we can afford at the moment. Believe me, I think most people on this site, told our combined income would swear we couldn't afford any kids, forget about 2. It's not always easy, but we make do & our kids haven't suffered yet. D D& DS are 3.5 years apart. I would like to have them 3-3.5 years apart again so DD would be in school, & we wouldn't have DS & #3 in daycare for too long at the same time if at all. I feel like once I finish school & am working FT we would be able to comfortably provide for 3, maybe 4, especially given that they wouldn't all be in daycare. As for the extras, we'll give them what we can. I don't think paying for their college is a requirement. We'll help if we're able too. I'm only 22. We have the time to space them out & have them when we can afford it.

I am 1 of 4. My parents have never been rich. They always managed. Sometimes it was a struggle, but they managed. They say it was worth it to have the family they wanted. While I wouldn't have more than I could feed or give a place to sleep, that's how I feel too.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

yes--money and health reasons. Money becuase I know college is expensive and kids in general at least on our salaries and we are middle income but still seems like we need to be pulling in more to even consider 3.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

We were financially prepared for 3 kids and then #4 came along. We might have to struggle for now but that's b/c I'm not working.

I live in a nice house (nice enough for me) and in a nice neighborhood. My kids share rooms but who cares! We may not be able to afford to go to Disney or Turks and Caicos every year but we'll definitley do things as a family! My kids will have everything they need!

I'm not worried about college. My Dh and I will do whatever and as much as we can do.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

I posted a similar thread a couple months ago with my story.

Right now, DH and I are holding off on having another one because his parents (well, mostly his father) are our childcare. We do have plans to put DS in nursery school at least 2 days a week when he's older.

We can't really afford (or well, want to give up my entire paycheck) to put one let alone 2 babies in daycare and because my IL's in addition to DS watch my SIL's twins........it just doesn't seem right to bring another child into the world right now without a back-up finanical plan.

Because DH is also self-employed, he doesn't bring home "traditional" paychecks so I have to work right now (as well as pay our health insurance). It makes no sense to me to have to work only to throw all that $$$$ away on daycare, which is what the reality would be if we had another one right now. I am not going to put my IL's through watching 4 kids even though I am sure they would offer.

I also don't think I could handle more then two kids, $$$$$ aside.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

Money's never been a factor in the discussions DH and I have had about the number of children we will have. We have 2 now and are undecided about the third. For us, my age will be more of a factor with regards to whether or not we have a third. Interesting topic though.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

110%

There's no way we would make our family suffer for the sake of having more kids than we could afford. Even with the arrival of #2 in a short time makes us worry about our financial situation and DH has a secure job with a decent salary.

We want to give our children all the opportunities we can. We have a very small house and before we could even ENTERTAIN the idea of a #3 we'd have to go bigger or buy bigger...and that's just not happening right now.

I just don't want to struggle and I know that if we decide to have another baby (#3) it would lead us down that path.

So for now, we're going to be staying with 2

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

A factor yes, The DECIDING factor, No way.

But in response to your actual question, I guess the definition of material things is subjective.

Your basically saying they want to provide the children with "extras" ...not neccesities and thats a more personal decision. And Also like above, the definition of "extras" is different to everyone.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

For me- money is not the deciding factor. I have one DS now and would be thrilled to be blessed with one more. I grew up in a family with two kids, and always saw myself with two.

For DH- however, money is an issue. He grew up in a household being the youngest of 4 kids. They were on a very tight budget, they struggled, and it left some scars. He has a strong need to provide the financial security, and things to his children that his parents could not give to him and his siblings.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

Not at all. Children are more important to me. If we have to only go on 1 vacation instead of a few then fine. If we don't get the best of everything fine. "Things" are not important to me but a family is.

I want 3 and that is that. I am not going to live my life regretting not having another because of worrying about not be able to get designer clothes etc.

I can be thrifty and will make it all work.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

Everyone has their own personal reasons for the size of their family. For us, it has been our hope to have 3-4 children assuming that we could financially handle it...we would stop before that if we knew the financial strain would cause a hardship.

For us...it never has and never will be about the "extras". It's about providing the necessities first and making sure that we position ourselves to not have to struggle. No one knows what the future holds so we plan as best as can and hold on to the hope of a big family...but at the end of the day I am fine with just my one...and having one would not allow me to fill his life with "extras" but rather provide for all of our futures.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

Without a doubt yes.

Re: Is money a deciding factor on the number of kids you will have?

it may not be the deciding factor, but it is a major factor at this point... i dont work because of schedule conflicts (cant get baby sitters when you both work midnights) and to be honest, if baby #2 is anything llike ds then i will need a second mortgage to feed them