The True Cost of Raising a Child

I have seen repeatedly the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It’s nice, really nice! The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle-income family (this was several years ago). Talk about sticker shock! That doesn’t even touch college tuition. For those with kids, that figure leads to wild fantasies about all the money we could have banked if not for (insert your child’s or children’s name here). For others, that number might confirm the decision to remain childless. Still you might think the best financial advice says don’t have children if you want to be “rich”. It is just the opposite. Here’s what you get for your $160,140:

• Naming rights: First, middle, and last!

• Glimpses of God every day.

• Giggles under the covers every night.

• More love than your heart can ever hold.

• Butterfly kisses.

• Velcro hugs.

• Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds and warm cookies.

• A hand to hold, usually covered with jam or chocolate.

• A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sandcastles and skipping down the sidewalk in the rain.

• Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

• For $160,140, you never have to grow up.

• You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide and-seek, catch lightning bugs and never, never stop believing in Santa Claus.

• You have an excuse to keep reading the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies and wishing on stars.