[LeoMcNeil]

I have a couple issues with this article. First of all, the notion that raising children is all work and no fun is absurd. Children are a blessing and a joy. Yes, they’re hard work but let’s not pretend that raising children is a drudgery.

Second, I dispute the $241k figure for raising children. That comes out to just over $13k per year from birth to age 18. I have four kids, I’m not spending anywhere near $52k on them every year.

The problem with articles like this is that it presents parenting as a dreadful and expensive thing when it is not.

[ChildOfThe60s]

My thoughts also.

My late FIL had a way of putting it.

Would you take a million dollars for your child. No? Then your child is worth over a million dollars and you’re at least a millionaire.

There is no computing the value of the rewards I/we have received as parents.

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

I dispute the $241k figure for raising children...

You have to realize, they’re including a percentage of the mortgage/rent and utilities, in that figure.
Of course, they have to ignore the simple fact that you would have these monthly costs, whether you had children or not.

[Sam Gamgee]

I think trying to put a figure on it is ridiculous as some families are just bigger spenders than others. For instance we just have the one car, and I take the bus to save money. Most families don't do that. I know I seriously underestimated the cost of children to my budgeting chagrin. We never spend within our grocery budget for instance. There is a LOT of waste with children. Toilet paper rolls thrown in the toilet. Half eaten granola bars.