For those that live in USA, how much does it cost to raise children?

[Dude26]

What are all the costs associated with having kids?  Do you and your partner both work or after having kids 1 of you do not work anymore?  How much was daycare / babysitter /  cost for you?  Did you have daycare / babysitter from newborn to kindergarten age and then have daycare / babysitter during summer months of school for your kid?  What are other costs of having kids outside of daycare / babysitter?

[Wiseman2]

2 hours ago, Dude26 said:

What are all the costs associated with having kids?  

It's not a simple equation but you can Google some average statistics. 

[introverted1]

My experience is that it cost much less than the scary numbers revealed in a google search.  Of course, it comes down in part to how you raise your children - public, private or home school, presents at Christmas and birthdays only or throughout the year, new or thrifted clothing, local or inter-country or elaborate/international vacations, state universities, scholarships or expensive private colleges, stay-at-home parent or daycare, etc.  And of course, the thing you can't know in advance:  whether your child(ren) has any need(s) requiring care/therapy/medicine, etc. 

[d0nnivain]

On 1/12/2024 at 12:48 PM, Dude26 said:

 What are other costs of having kids outside of daycare / babysitter?

You need a bigger place to live -- 2+ bedrooms.  That will add to what you pay for heat / AC / water. 

You may need a bigger car.   

You have to feed them, clothe them, take them to the doctor, buy them school supplies.  If they want to be in activities (sports or clubs) you have to buy supplies & uniforms & pay for admission to things.  

They will want toys.  

They will have friends & be invited to birthday parties where you will be obligated to buy a gift.  

There is a lot to it.