Ever wonder that how expensive it would be to raise a child. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that price can exceed US$250,000 per child in some US families. In Australia, the figures are alarming too. A cover story of The Bulletin entitled “Million-dollar Baby” has details in calculating the cost of raising a child. “It now costs up to AU$1m to raise a child in Sydney.”

If we look at the issues of parenting cost from a different perspective, that is from a parent rather than an economist, a different picture will come up and inspire you. Have a look at these parents’ views on what’s the most importance of parenting:

I am gobsmacked that people put a price on having kids. I am 43 and have been a single mum for the past five years, with four kids ranging from nine to 20. Childcare was not an option for me, but I do wonder why parents choose to put kids in the care of strangers just to have a bigger house or a new car. I start my first full-time job in 20 years next week although my salary is not a patch on the $100,000 your article quotes. We don’t go without, we don’t live in poverty and my kids have everything and more – memories of a mum who was there for them every day.
Jane Downs, Edgewater, WA

Part of the reason children seem unaffordable is that too many things that should be considered luxuries have apparently become essentials: two or three after-school activities ($50 a week), new clothes at all times, tuck shop instead of home-made sandwiches. I feel that a bit more self-sacrifice could be the answer. Having six children was a struggle but worth it.
Warren Price, Sydney, NSW

Maybe if we spent more time looking at investing in human joy rather than the McMansion with upsized lifestyle, we would see more children and less scary headlines. It’s sad that many people will one day find they have paid off four large, empty bedrooms and family room for the benefit of a distant and unknown relative.
A. Hood, Glenwood, NSW

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