Should your finances play a part in the decision

to have a second child? My DH and I were having the discussion this morning and I wanted to see your thoughts on it.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

I think they should def be considered, but I'm of the belief that there's never going to be a perfect time to have a child. You're always going to want to have more money, space...etc. If you really want a child and feel it's the right time for your family, then you will make it work financially.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

I think it is VERY IMPORTANT. For us we will be able to afford only two kids and that's it.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Yes, def.

I also feel that all they do is some part of your finances and I dont want to deprive them of things as well..as they get older.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Yes definitely. Or at least for us it will. When we have #2 (which won't be for a few years), we want to be stable enough where i can maybe just work part time.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

I do..for us its simple, in our immediate situation, having two in daycare would be impossible. well, nothing is impossible, but you know what I mean, it would mean a lot of bad things, LOL. SO we have to space our children a bit to try and avoid that.

I agree there is no perfect time and at times you are blessed with a child when least expected, and you do get through it, and it does work out.

but as far as planning, if it meant major finacial stress, and/or not being able to provide for them the way yoou would want to, I would put it off if possible.

So many factors..so there is no black/white answer.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Yes, I don't think finances can be ignored when considering a second child - but do agree there's never enough. I think you have to find a happy medium b/t being practical and trusting things will work out.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Absolutely. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to have 2 children in day care - at least at the infant rate - so we are not planning on a second dc anytime soon.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

DEFINATELY.....for us I have to work and daycare is our biggest expense. That's a lot to consider when planning a baby. If we were still renting it wouldn't matter. But with the mortgage, bills, and child care....it's a lot. As of now we can only do 2 kids....which is fine because that's what we wanted anyway.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

We're having this same discussion right now about #3

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

YEs def! #2 put us in a whole different set of issues with daycare, housing, increase in food bill, clothes bill etc.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

ABSOLUTELY - If you can't afford the additional child, you should have him/her.

And I'm not talking about making sacrafices and altering your lifestyle - I'm talking about not being able to AFFORD the child as in you can't pay your mortgage, grocery bill, clothing bills for the kids etc. -
I think that is irresponsible -

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Yes, absolutely

My hubby and I both came from very poor families. We do not want to have our children suffer unnecessarily. We both have seen the stress that money can put on a family unit and we won't put our children through that. Its not always about whether you can afford daycare and other expenses or 'find a way' its about what that 'way' has cost you emotionally as well as financially.

There's never going to be 'enough' money, etc but there's a difference from 'getting by barely' to literally 'struggling to survive'.

So we are absolutely avoiding #2 as much as we can right now and I think I'd have a nervous breakdown if I were to get preggo to be brutally honest.

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Yes it does. I have to be able to provide for my kids and not have to drpive them of things

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Absolutely!

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by merri221

I think they should def be considered, but I'm of the belief that there's never going to be a perfect time to have a child. You're always going to want to have more money, space...etc. If you really want a child and feel it's the right time for your family, then you will make it work financially.

ITA. And for us the finances were not ideal, but I am not getting any younger. At one point I said to DH that we can always find a way to make money if we need more, but I will never become younger

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

I am having this thought every day...I would love to be able to try for another one around DD's 1st bday in Jan so DC would be born around this time next year, BUT I dont think it would be a good idea financially. We may wait until DD is 2 to start trying...I guess we will see what happens!

Re: Should your finances play a part in the decision

We would be able to afford a second child but it would be tight with daycare and mortgage and everythign else..and if I lost my job we could not afford everthing on DH salary alone. We are torn because we always said we wanted 2 kids but its soooo expensive..my husband thinks we need to give Gavin a brother or sister but I don't want to struggle and deprive DS of anything because we had another child..its such a hard decision..either way I think i'll stress about it. I dont want to say no more and then regret my decision and then on the other hand say yeah and then find out I didnt want that!!!