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Children: Black or Red Ink on the Balance Sheet for Families and Society?

7/30/2012

 
It’s common to see or read news articles on the cost of raising children.  A recent government study tells us that it will cost nearly $235,000 (in 2011 dollars) to raise a child from birth to age 18.  This blog post by Len Penso on msn.com’s money page bemoans additional costs not included in the government study, making
the toll even higher. 
   
These articles can instill fear and deter couples from having more – or any – children. I don't know about you, but I don't have a quarter of a million dollars just laying around and I doubt that I ever wil.   Even worse, by placing a price tag on child-rearing, these articles paint children as only a line-item on the family’s and society’s balance sheets – and a liability line item at that!  
 
Assets:  House, Car, Income
Liabilities:  Mortgage, Car Loan, Bobby, Jr., Mary Jane
Equity:  Checking Account, Savings Account, 401k
  
Really???  Is that how we see children – a financial burden that sucks every dime out of our financial future?  Is a child just a cost center in the family budget? 
 
I’d like to see some articles about the benefits of child-rearing.  Children are an incredible gift to a family and to society. 
 
So let’s hear from you. How have children been a blessing and benefit to your family and society?

Jeff B
7/30/2012 07:45:23 am

I am a father of 3 kids and my wife and I are expecting our 4th in September. We have two special needs children and are a one income family. The only difference between us and our friends is the kinds of financial decisions we make. We live in a humble home with a reasonable vehicle. Each child we have actually seems to level out expenses, as our children are prone to share their toys, instead of having a need for total duplication of toys. Same with clothing and other items. My parents had 8 children and I was the youngest. I learned early that it wasn't about how much "stuff" you can buy, but how much you can learn to share. Children are the only treasure that we might be able to take with us!

Ruth link
8/1/2012 05:59:59 am

Beautifully put, Jeff. Thanks for joining the conversation!

Monica Siemer link
7/31/2012 11:05:09 am

I am a single mother of five coming from an extremely difficult marriage of 21 years. The five most gorgeous, witty, intelligent, and fabulous children that I was blessed to have before the marriage ended have always been the most incredible and fun parts of my life -- beyond my wildest dreams!! We were well below the poverty line most of the marriage (on WIC) but somehow managed to send them through Catholic schools! One is a lawyer, one was head of Xavier University's Occupational Therapy society, one an honors psych. major from OSU and one a computer engineer student at OSU. Many have very deep faith lives and help with youth group, the Appalachian project each summer, the poor in other ways, etc, etc,. The thrill they have brought far far outweighs any pain in my life, and if I had my life to do all over again, i would do the exact same thing and suffer through the bad parts just to have these most exquisite children!! THIS is life; THIS is living ... the money stuff and job and retirement stuff mean sooo little in the bigger picture!

Ruth link
8/1/2012 06:11:33 am

Monica, thank you for sharing your story. Another fantastic example that we cannot be measure the "cost" and "value" of children - and indeed all of people in monetary terms. May God continue to bless you and your family!

Monica Siemer link
7/31/2012 11:07:27 am

Cont. Oh, and the last child is finishing up her high school as co-captain of the entire school (a Catholic one). She did not get a shot at college yet! When I look at th


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