Wow, thank you all so much for the supportive and encouraging comments on my last post!
So now I have a question to pose to all of you:
The biggest determining/limiting factor in my decision to add to my family is...finances. How does one figure out if she can afford to have another child????? I haven't even gotten to the teenage years yet, when I know things will be so much more expensive!
Any thoughts??
Thanks in advance... :)
That's a tough one for sure. Unless you come into some large cash, I don't think there's any set dollar amount that says, "yep, you'll afford 2 ok"
ReplyDeleteI believe we can make do when we put our minds to it...however, I'd put some thought into things like college tuitions, sports & extracurricular activities, upgrading to a space to accomodate a 3 person family (if necessary)...possibilities of medical needs, braces, etc...
This sounds discouraging & I don't mean to be...
...but I so needed a reality check! So thanks!! :) You're absolutely right...so many expenses to look forward to, ha. I definitely have (some) time to think things over a bit, and I think whether my donor has swimmers available may be a deciding factor as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your thoughts, Tiara!!
I've been going though the same thing, but I just don't know where I will find the money to raise a second child.
ReplyDeleteHeather! Awesome choice and good for you! Here are my thoughts: you are smart. You have a good job. You make things happen (baby on your own). You can do this - promise me!
ReplyDeleteEven though I am not prego, I am scared everyday that I can't afford this (I would need some sort of a nanny - party time due to travel schedules) but I know in my heart when we are shoved against a wall we can make it work. So put these worries behind you and go for it!!!
That's a huge issue for me, as well. The daycare where I live is $1,000 / month, so right there I'm up against a brick wall. Factoring in college gets really scary. And then there's the whole thought that I really should be saving for retirement so that I don't have to rely on my son someday (it all comes 'round...). I have seriously considered moving somewhere with a lower cost of living, which would make it more feasible. All things to think about.
ReplyDeleteI have been stressing about having one, but when I bring it up to friends that have kids they say the same thing. They just make it work with what they have and it's fine.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I know most of them have a father to share expenses with, carrying all of them on one salary is a different story.
When I win the lottery I'll gift choice moms a yearly stipend!
Same thoughts here as well! How to make #2 work?!
ReplyDeleteMy thinking is if it's what you really want then you'll find a way to make it work. It will be tough because it will mean no fancy vacations, limiting the pay for play extra curricular activities, sticking to a tight budget, kids having to get a job and take some loans for college, etc. Will you regret not doing it even with all the struggle and stress over money?