Once you become a parent, it becomes very difficult to let money be your guide. My family has determined that we’ll work very hard (and smart) to get to where we want to go, even though daycare for our little ones cost us an arm and two legs!

We’ll “make do” but by planning, diligence, and really hard work and sacrifice.

You’re not bashing day care are you? To decide to put your child/ chilren in day care is every parents choice, and I’m sure that it isn’t one that is easy to make. Who really wants to throw $800-$2,000 down the drain for day care every month? But it comes to personal preference, family dynamics, family finances, etc. I’m glad that we have the option and finances for day care, and that I’m not EXPECTED to be a SAHM.

My aunt is a very very religious woman, but she has had it with her daughter’s reasoning that “it must be God’s will” for her to keep getting pregnant. They have no way to support their kids, who need lots of care and attention because of their disabilities. They are making themselves a burden on others and are risking their family’s health and happiness.

My opinion is that you can’t plan your family size around money – but you do have to plan your family’s lifestyle around money. If you can’t afford basic food, clothing, and shelter then you should try very hard not to get pregnant.

Personally, I’d rather exist and have to pay for my own college than for my parents to have stopped after my sister! But as others said, if you can’t feed/clothe and provide the basics, money should certainly be a big factor.

Great topic.

Parents today have inflated notions of what kids need. First and foremost, kids need love and your time and attention. After that they need food, shelter, clothing. They don’t need separate bedrooms and can share a bathroom with their parents. They don’t need video games, cell phones, and MP3 players. They don’t need private schools or Ivy League colleges. I’ll say it again, they need your time and attention. So for those of you who are unwilling to change your lifestyle or think your life won’t change or shouldn’t change when you have kids, then perhaps parenthood is not for you. Certainly your career will not advance as much when you have kids because you cannot put in the same kind of hours or travel as much for work unless you have your kids scheduled to the max in after school activities and one summer camp after another. I think it’s all very sad that kids don’t get to hang out with their friends and play anymore. Some of their schedules look as complicated and packed as their parents. Sure finances are a consideration in determining the size of your family but it shouldn’t be the only consideration. Determine first if you really want to be a parent and do everything you can to raise wonderful human beings. It’s your job, not the school’s or a day care’s or a care giver’s responsibility. When they’re adults, your children won’t care about the things you couldn’t afford to give them — only that you made time for them and they felt loved.

I honestly don’t think its sad that people think about finances when it comes to having children. Like Ashley said, kids aren’t that expensive but you still need to feed and clothe them. The thrift stores still cost money.

Paying for college is really a personal choice that a family makes and I don’t see a problem if the parents have the money and want to spend it on their childrens education. We started a fund for DD and plan on starting a college fund for the next baby. We put money into DD’s account but probably not enough to cover her entire education. We prefer to make sure our retirement is covered first and then if we have the money we may pay for college. DH and I have differing views on that right now, luckily we have 15 years before we need to make a decision!