Well Chris and I had discussed trying for another baby next summer. Now, Chris says that we cannot afford another one yet. This is a whole year away still. He thinks that having 2 kids is soooo much more expensive. I don't think that it is. I want our kids to be pretty close in age. If we try next summer, they will be 3 to 3 1/2 years apart. That's not too bad. Is it really that much more expensive? I bought Rylee some panties today and am really going to try to potty train her, because I don't want two in diapers. She is also showing a lot of interest in it now. That cuts down one expense. What do you all think? Seriously, how much more expensive is it with 2 kids?

By Vicki on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 01:22 pm:

Well, I think that would depend on if it is another girl or a little boy. If it were a little boy or if it was born in a different season of the year than Rylee, you would have clothes to buy. As far as day to day life, I wouldn't think it would be THAT much more. If everyone waitied until they could afford it, no one would have kids! You just find a way to make it work. Are you sure he wants more and isn't just using this as an excuse???

By Rayanne on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 01:26 pm:

He would be fine with just having Rylee and no more. I, on the other hand, want anther child. He's not against it, and does want another one, just not yet. I think that A LOT of it has to do with the fact of us having twins. My Mom was supposed to be a twin, and his Dad is a twin, so there is a good chance of it still happening. He doesn't want 3 kids. I always tell him that whatever happens happens for a reason, and if we are supposed to have twins, then we will. I don't think that it will happen, but you never know.

By Kate on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 01:39 pm:

I agree with Vicki regarding the clothes if you have a boy, altho you can find inexpensive clothes at second hand stores and garage sales if you wanted to. The baby could use Rylee's crib, etc., but will eventually need his/her own furniture, so you'd have a bed, mattress, linens, and dresser to buy. BUT, you wouldn't have to buy that for several years. If you travel it's one more ticket expense, it's more expensive at Christmas/Easter/Halloween as it's more gifts, costumes, candy, etc. to buy. If you do classes or lessons it's more expensive for two than one. Again, though, that would be more in the future.

As far as day to day living I don't think it's much more expensive. They don't eat much and if you breastfeed you save a fortune on formula. Rylee would be old enough that the baby could use all the infant items she used, especially expensive carseats.

Good luck with your decision!

By Kaye on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 01:49 pm:

Well short term, the first 6 months, yes a little more, 6 months to 4 or 5, about the same. Once they hit school, yes it is a lot more, then college, cars, etc.

But as for day to day living. I think when you ahve more than one things change, you don't impulse buy as much, you can really cut corners, instead of buying prepackaged snacks you buy the big size, etc.

I think there is never a finacially good time to have another baby. You can never really afford it, if you put it on paper. But most of the time, you just make it work.

By Jann on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 01:59 pm:

I don't think you can deny that it's more expensive to raise two kids than one cause it is.

I agree 100% with this statement of Kaye's....
I think there is never a finacially good time to have another baby. You can never really afford it, if you put it on paper. But most of the time, you just make it work.


If we truly put a financial price on become parent's, I don't think any of us would.

By Karen~moderator on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 02:01 pm:

I will only add what I was told many years ago - *If you wait until you can afford it to have kids, you will never have them.*

By Jackie on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 03:05 pm:

I agree with Karen. I have heard that saying as well. Im glad we didnt wait to afford them as I wouldnt have my 3 beautiful children. Yes, it is more expensive.. Right now I think Faiths the cheapest kid I have LOL.. Meaning, shes sleeping in a crib I bought my first child(who is almost 11), shes wearing all her big sisters clothes. We did go and buy her some new dressers before she was born, but they were the cheapie kind 59$, just something to keep her clothes in. Sure diapers cost money. I breastfed my last 2 kids, so we saved money there. But, WIC has wonderful programs that will give you checks for formula and such. I guess its all in how you look at things, and what sacrifices you are willing to make.

By Kim on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 03:18 pm:

Ditto Karen. Truly.

By Rayelle on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 03:28 pm:

I agree that if you wait until you can afford it it will never happen. I have three kids, to be honest with you I didn't "plan" for any of them and things have been generally fine. No one goes to bed hungry, but we don't take fancy vacations, you know? Good luck with your decision!

By Colette on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 05:35 pm:

I agree with everyone above, but I wonder if your dh is thinking about the responsibility on him having to support another mouth, is it hard now? If you are living paycheck to paycheck and just making ends meet, then I don't think it's fair to your dh. However, if you are not then it's really not a major expense. There is a HUGE difference going from one child to two (or more) - not just financially, but mentally, physically and emotionally. It is not so bad going from 2 to 3 but the 1 to 2 will make a huge impact on your lifestyle. Good luck with whatever the two of you decide.

By Breann on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 10:36 pm:

Ditto Karen

And, things always work out. Once you have them, you make it work. There is no choice.

It gets expensive when the kids are older. Sports/dance/etc. Having more than one child doubles the price of all of those.

But, for the first 5 years, I didn't find it all that different.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 07:41 am:

We just decided to have another kid, when Sarah was 2. I have been glad sometimes, that we only have two, but I really didn't want just one, either.

By Ilovetom on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 08:08 am:

Well, on the twins subject. LOL.

We carefully planned our second and I am not saying we had money aplenty, but we had enough. Boom- we got 2 unexpected. We have adjusted each time we, or they needed anything. We are still not rich people, but I think you just adjust. Recently- last month it was one of the things I have dreaded most since they were born. Driving. Insurance, car, and gas now. We have adjusted and they have babysitting jobs this summer also.

It can work out.

By Eve on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 08:10 am:

Ok, you all are scaring me!!! LOL! Now I'm thinking "Oh no! I'll have two!" ;)

By Rayanne on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 08:46 am:

LOL Eve. This wasn't meant to scare you

Thank you all for all of your input. I know that we will have one more, just not sure when.

By Melanie on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 09:51 am:

Rayanne, tell him college isn't getting any cheaper. The longer he waits, the more he will have to save for that.

Of course it's more expensive. But worth every penny.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 05:22 pm:

I still only have one, Rayanne, and do not plan on having any more, but I would think it would be a lot more expensive....BUT, it's true, if you wait until you can afford it (and that's a different level of comfort for everyone)none of us would ever have kids.
Melanie was right...worth every penny.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 05:32 pm:

Right now, it's not that much more expensive. My son who is three, eats what we do and is out of diapers, so no real big expense there. Helen will use most of his toys and games until she wants some real girly stuff.
As far as clothes, I only now had to start buying her stuff because I was fortunate to be given so many baby presents - I guess nobody can resist buying cute llitle girl clothes.
Her big expenses are formula and diapers. I get both at our wholesale club, so its not so bad. She is already eating table food, so baby food is not an issue.
For us, it has been no where near a expensive as having him was initially.
I have also found the transition to two easier than the transition from none to one.
Ame
Ame

By Frasersmama on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 05:46 pm:

One of the biggest factors I can think of is whether or not you will need daycare, because in that case two is definately much more expensive than one. If you are a SAHM then daycare is not an issue.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 10:12 pm:

If we had it to do over again, we would have had another one to give our son the experience of having a sibling bond. He has been asking for a bro or sis for some time now.

We told my aunt that we were waiting to afford it better, and she said "If that's what you are waiting for, you will NEVER be able to afford another one!" Her point was that a long time ago when people had families, they didn't do it because they could afford it, but they (almost) always managed to care for them.

But we feel that if we were going to have another one, it would have worked better to have done it earlier so they would be closer in age.