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Cost of a 3 year old

KaylalaaKaylalaa member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+
 My husband and I are really considering adopting a particular Child and before we do we are going over all sorts of things. one thing is finances.What are some costs that you find are average for a 3 year old and what are some cost you can have sneak up on you and what can you cut out.
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Re: Cost of a 3 year old

  • penguingrrlpenguingrrl member

    You are going to get so many different answers on this. But the basics

    1) You will need a carseat. What seat is best will depend on the size of the child, but a combination seat (forward facing harness that becomes a seatbelt positioning booster later) would be the best bet at that age. A 3 year old needs to be harnessed until minimum 4, but maturity plays a huge role in moving to a booster. This is a one-time expense, but a necessary "start up cost" with a kid.

    2) Food. For our family of four I spend $100 or so a week, so about $25 per person a week.

    3) Clothes. At 3 you should need to get a new summer wardrobe and a new winter wardrobe each year. I think we spend $150-200/season for my older daughter, the younger lives in the older one's hand-me-downs. This includes shoes. If I had a washer/dryer in my home we could spend less, but we don't so I have to do laundry a little less frequently. We also do some "extras" like holiday outfits (Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter) but if money's tight those are certainly not necessities.

    4) Childcare. This is by far the most expensive thing with a child. I don't work because around me childcare for one exceeded my take-home pay. This cost will also vary greatly across the country. In order to get a realistic idea of what you'll pay you may need to share where you live so someone local to you can help.

    5) Health care. How will adding a child add to your insurance premium? Kids see doctors more frequently than a healthy adult does, so you'll pay copays more frequently than you currently do.

    6) You may or may not need diapers for a 3 year old. If so, I think I spent $40ish a month. Some kids need diapers overnight for a long time after potty training, others move out of diapers entirely very quickly.

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  • BrewtowngrlBrewtowngrl member
    Daycare, food, milk, a few toys, pedi visits.  Diapers if not potty trained.  Cost will vary depending on where you live.  3 years is an inexpensive year comparatively.  mine was too young for activities that cost money like sports because he is so shy.  Down the road it will get more costly 
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  • Wally3Wally3 member
    Childcare is going to be your largest expense by far, until he starts school.  The food and clothes and other thing - you can cut on by buying used and clipped coupons, looking for sales.  Daycare is going to cost what it cost so I would think that should be the first thing you look into.

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  • sharrowsharrow

    I have to agree that childcare is the biggest expense. 

    I was completely blindsided by the costs of preschools in our area.  I had NO IDEA.  Some are as expensive as a four-year college.

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  • SigmabellaSigmabella

    I don't see how the cost of having a 3 year old figures into the choice of adopting  a child,  unless you and need to make sure the $$ is in the bank when social services checks your account.

    I think your choice to adopt should be about love sans $$.

    Lots of very, very poor people have thier own children and do just fine.

    If you love this child and think that you can raise the child with the best intentions then I would say this is all that matters.

    That being said having a 3 year old varies a great deal in costs...Clothes and toys can always be purchased second hand (especially to start)

    Diapers are a huge cost and daycare these vary by area, I do not think my 3 year old is that expensive...My 1 year old is much more costly when it comes to bottles, diapers, & childcare.

    I hope that this helps 

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  • pumpkinwife07pumpkinwife07 member

    Sigmabella - I have to disagree with you. Money does have a lot to do with it. You're adopting this child because you want to give him or her the best life you can. And, I'm sorry, but it takes money to do that. Do you have to be rich? Heck no. But there are costs associated with having children. In my opinon, you should have children (biological or adopted) if you can provide them with the basic supplies of life. I'm talking food, clothes, diapers, and medical needs.

    Love is very, very important and I don't disagree with that. But it takes more than love to raise a child.

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