s/o how many kids??

KKenworthy12 · October 2010

There is a big chance we are 1 and done, with my fertility issues...but also money......not money now but future, I see all these women saying they want 4 kids, which is awesome but we would never beable to afford 4 college educationsd, 4 cars, 4 medical bills, 4 sets of clothes, 4 sets of activities.......anyone else scared to have more babies because of this? or shhould I just get over it because I cant predict the future?

Starfish113 · October 2010

I think about this too. Daycare is so expensive, and I'd really like to send DD to private schools. If we have two, that wouldn't really be an option. I also had such a horrible pregnancy, I'm not sure I could handle another one with a toddler too!

emily0829 · October 2010

Nope, I am with you. I'd like to have one more, but I think of the expense of even one more and I think "There's no way..."

It's hush-hush at this point, but my job is getting outsourced. We aren't sure when, but I dread the day of trying to apply within when everyone in my department will be doing the same, or finding another job in a hurry. Originally, we wanted to TTC when LO was a year.... but that's only 7 months from now, and I don't see much changing except negative things (like being laid off)

KKenworthy12 · October 2010

yeah Im the same way I was on a zofran pump for 2 months, lost 16 pounds in first tri cause I couldnt even keep gatorade down...thinking of doing that again with a toddler is super scary

KKenworthy12 · October 2010

emily0829:

Nope, I am with you. I'd like to have one more, but I think of the expense of even one more and I think "There's no way..."

It's hush-hush at this point, but my job is getting outsourced. We aren't sure when, but I dread the day of trying to apply within when everyone in my department will be doing the same, or finding another job in a hurry. Originally, we wanted to TTC when LO was a year.... but that's only 7 months from now, and I don't see much changing except negative things (like being laid off)

Bummer about getting laid off, that totall sucks.....it is happening to hard working people WAY to much right now

LJR 84 · October 2010

I don't worry too much about the financial aspect. We also don't live in a high cost of living area. But really, I think you just "find a way" to make it work when the time comes! We're certainly not rolling in money, but I think if you have to make it work, you just do!

mrsjenni · October 2010

Of course we worry about it, but we won't let it stop us.

First, I'd never buy my kids new cars. Ever. They'll be getting hand me down cars or buying their own, like DH and I did. "Want something? Work for it."

As for college, DH and I both work at a GREAT university which means that tuition is paid for 100%. We've already decided that 1 of us is here for life. It's a very stable job, so I don't think we'll be affected by the fluctuating economy (of course you never know!) but that's our plan. We will be saving for a 529 as well, but they'll basically be coming to this college unless they get a ton of money to go somewhere else.

Clothes/food/activities I know will be VERY expensive... but we'll find a way to make it work

As for predicting the future... let me tell you a little story- you can't. DH and I were 100% prepared for DS #1. We both had great jobs, had a house, savings, etc. Great timing right? Wrong. When DS was 5 months old, DH was laid off. Wonderful.

DD #2 was a bit of a surprise. We were planning on starting to TTC the following month and bam- pregnant. DH was still unemployed. Of course we were scared, but I knew we could make it work if we really tried.

Well... he got hired at a fantastic job 4 days before DD was born.

You just never know.

metzy144 · October 2010

We plan on having at least 4 kids. There are 4 in my family and my parents were always able to provide what we needed. My husband grew up in a family of 8 kids. I don't think there is a set amount of money that equals being able to have another baby, and if people wait to have enough money, they would never have another baby. We are setting up college funds for each of our children and will be saving money for them. Obviously it would be to hard to pay for their whole college educations but that is what student loans are for.

LJR 84 · October 2010

mrs.jenni:

Of course we worry about it, but we won't let it stop us.

First, I'd never buy my kids new cars. Ever. They'll be getting hand me down cars or buying their own, like DH and I did. "Want something? Work for it."

As for college, DH and I both work at a GREAT university which means that tuition is paid for 100%. We've already decided that 1 of us is here for life. It's a very stable job, so I don't think we'll be affected by the fluctuating economy (of course you never know!) but that's our plan. We will be saving for a 529 as well, but they'll basically be coming to this college unless they get a ton of money to go somewhere else.

Clothes/food/activities I know will be VERY expensive... but we'll find a way to make it work

As for predicting the future... let me tell you a little story- you can't. DH and I were 100% prepared for DS #1. We both had great jobs, had a house, savings, etc. Great timing right? Wrong. When DS was 5 months old, DH was laid off. Wonderful.

DD #2 was a bit of a surprise. We were planning on starting to TTC the following month and bam- pregnant. DH was still unemployed. Of course we were scared, but I knew we could make it work if we really tried.

Well... he got hired at a fantastic job 4 days before DD was born.

You just never know.

Yes I agree with all of this! Especially cars...our kids will be getting hand me downs!

julybaby23 · October 2010

I save money like crazy-- so that's one way that I feel in control, by tighwadding and planning and keeping a stocked pantry, etc. There is a point (3 kids) where daycare won't be worth the cost versus me staying home so I am preparing for this by saving as much money as possible and adjusting what we spend (we live way below our means). I do think that you can do it all pretty cheaply if you work at it. Everything I have for LO was second hand. I have taken advantage of the yard sales in the summer to stock up on clothes/toys/gear for the following year. Almost nothing for LO was bought new with the exception of formula and diapers. My swing is brand new and cost me 4 dollas at a yard sale. My bouncer (My little lamb) also brand new and 3 dollars. I hit salvation army for their baby clothes and they are So nice! Just wash in hot water and dry and I am good to go.

Kelly1109 · October 2010

I would LOVE one more. DH is older and was married for 16 years prior to me. He has 2 kids from his previous marriage - 19 & 7. I have always wanted to have 2 kids close in age. My brother and I were 4 years apart and never truly friends until we were older. I want LO to have a sibling close in age who they can play wit.

DH is stuck on the money issue. He wants to retire when he's like 60 and so he keeps saying that another kid would not let him do that. I of course tell him that I'd have another 11 years of working to retire at 60 and its just not fair! We both have very good jobs and make a decent amount of money that we could easily afford another one and still be able to do everything we always want to do (trips, house renovations, buy a cabin, etc).

We'll see. I just know I truly love being a mom and think I have so much more love to give to a little one!

Lauren9881 · October 2010

I don't know that I can answer this questions yet. I'd love 3, but I think 2 will most likely be it. We'll have to see how the cards fall. I want to be able to help put my kids through college, and have family vacations. They won't, however, drive brand new cars EVER!! (Amen Mrs. Jenni!). I drove an old jetta, that I had to learn how to drive standard for, that occaisionally chirped like a cricket, and would randomly honk it's own horn...mostly while driving down the highway! It's charachter building! Wink

PinkPeony6210 · October 2010

DC2London:
I would like 3 kids, but I will only have 3 if we can afford to raise 3 the way we want to. If three would mean depriving them of anything (fun vacations, college savings, etc) we will stop with 2.

This is exactly how my husband feels.

ToBeMrsT · October 2010

We're only have two mainly because of my rough pregnancies, but there's also a part of me that's happy that we will be able to easily provide for our family. We could afford more kids, but I'm sure it would limit the fun things we could do. We want to take family vacations and not worry about money. I love my kids and I love my family, but having lots of kids isn't the most important thing to me. Our quality of life is more important than lots of babies. Originally I wanted 3-4 kids, but I'm actually sure that 2 is just right for us.

synchrosally · October 2010

DH was really scared to TTC because "what if I get laid off". I didn't want to wait forever on a "what if" so we went ahead and decided to start trying and BAM pregnant. DH got a better job a few months after DS was born and we feel pretty stable now. But you never know what the future holds. I'm pretty sure we can handle another child, but two more? It is definitely scary to think about post secondary education for multiple children and all the expense, but I'm sure we can make it work.

prego760 · October 2010

I added it up and in my area Daycare for my son would cost $13,500 a year. I can't afford to get pregnant for a while. I figure 5 years apart will work best. That way we only have to cover one college education at a time and one car as well.

Stephanie2167 · October 2010

I want 2 (three if we for some reason lose our mind). I want DD to have a sibling. I can't imagine my life without my sister. She is my best friend and I want DD to have that as well.

lilygirl · October 2010

Ideally, we'd love three but I think two is realistic.

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