The Cost of Kids

E-Mail from my Wonderful daughter-in-law, mother of my beautiful granddaughter ^ | Hmmm | UNknown

[Bella_Bru]

Merry Christmas to you too! :-)

[Prodigal Daughter]

Nice post! That's a lie about children costing so much, that's only for the yuppies and idiots. I can't remember the names of the books on how to be frugal, but they are great. My teenage son was bragging about me at his school because all his friends' parents shelled out over $50.00 for the required reading books of the year and I spent $14.00 for all 7 of them, including shipping, at half.com. Saving money is a great American tradition, but most people don't care to practice it anymore. He told his friends to find the books cheaper like I did, but nobody bothered.

If one can eat, two can eat, if two can eat, three can eat. Children are so great.

Psalm 127:3-5: 3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

The best parents are those who adopt. They need to be praised more. They are the greatest!

[r9etb]

Good post.

Little kids also have a way of stripping it all down to the basic questions. They do a heck of a job of putting one on the theological spot -- one reason to love them all the more.

Last night my 5yo came down and started crying. "When I look down, I keep thinking of all the dead people buried under the ground."

We had a nice discussion about souls and heaven, and how people in heaven are happy, and he felt better. Then he got sad again... "But what about all the newborn babies.... it's sad that people up in heaven can't see the newborn babies...."

Well, what can you say to that? Do souls in heaven "see" us? Do they pay attention to us? I suppose they do, and said as much.

It was a nice time.

[r9etb]

I love slapstick humor. Adults and older children tend to find it tasteless and boring, but my 12-year-old will still giggle when I pretend to hit the door on the way out.

LOL!!! Reminds me of when we used to have fake fist-fights with our dad -- you swing to miss, but clap your hands and fall back convincingly.

One time we were doing it in the kitchen when my grandmother was there. Bad idea -- she picked up a frying pan and was just about to brain my dad with it. Only at the last second did she notice we were all laughing ... I still giggle about the cartoon version of what might have happened.

[Aristophanes]

Re: googoo crazy in love with your kids.... That description fits me to a "T". (Deo gratias!) I have so much fun with my children that I honestly cannot imagine why anyone wouldn't want as many as they can have. (My wife and I have four so far: three boys ages 6, 5, and 18 mo's; and a baby girl (6 mo's.) And if you have six or seven or even more, the fun can last for a long, long time.

So many people out there are trading their children for material things like bigger houses, newer cars, boats and vacations -- they just don't get it. I feel sorry for them, I really do.

[homeschool mama]

We're at the *first bra* stage now. ARghghghghghghg!

With the help of Brad's Gramma, she's now dubbed 'Miss Hormone'. LOL

[homeschool mama]

*googoo crazy in love with your kids* bump!

[Judith Anne]

Haha! Yes, bumps for this charming thread...I was wondering how to plan meals for the kids and grandkids coming the weekend after Christmas, they all just informed me they'll be coming the weekend before AND the weekend after! House full of love...BIGTIME!!!

[homeschool mama]

You have mega blessings coming your way, Judith Anne. How fortunate you are!

We're hoping our daughter has lots of kiddos so we can spoil them all with lovies. Then again, she's only 11 and we'll have to wait a few years, huh? lol

[tutstar]

bump

[Judith Anne]

The grandkids all know the song, and sing in the car, "Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go..." Of course, they're still little...;-D

Building family traditions, stacking up bricks of solid, strong memories cemented with love into a wall of morality and Christian culture does a lot to protect kids as they grow up...

[Victoria Delsoul]

Very nice! Thanks so much, Marvin.

Merry Christmas.

[Caleb1411]

Just forwarded it to several of my colleagues who are parents. Thanks, Marvin. Have a blessed Christmas.

[Caleb1411]

Thought you might smile at this puckish reply from one of my aforementioned colleague-recipients, Marvin:

True, [Caleb1411], we do get all those things, but $160,000 is still a lot of money, so I intend to go home and tell my kids and get a bit more good hard labor out of them cleaning the house, mowing the yard, etc. I'll tell them that I'll deduct $160 an hour for each hour they do--more than they'll ever make doing anything else. After just 1000 hours, we'll be even!!

[homeschool mama]

***Building family traditions, stacking up bricks of solid, strong memories cemented with love into a wall of morality and Christian culture does a lot to protect kids as they grow up... ***

Amen to that! <><

[The Old Hoosier]

There are some bad things about ND, but it's still a much better school than Franciscan. A pious kid with his/her head on straight will find what he needs to grow at ND, and he won't be so sheltered, either.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Merry Christmas. Thank you for that wonderful paragraph at the end...you're very insightful!!!!!! I've not regretted one second of the CHOICE I made to have children and to stay home to raise them. Choice is a wonderful thing, when used wisely, eh?

I pray this Christmas is wonderful for you and your family.