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#11
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Is there an equation ?
"Ericka Kammerer" wrote in message ... Ian wrote: I am not knocking anyone with more than one kid. I just couldn't live with it 24/7. The demands, financial and otherwise of just one are more than enough for me. To be honest I have no idea how people cope with more than one. I`d love more, but I would be a wreck. Why not be honest to the OP? 2, 3 kids ARE more work than one. Actually, I found many stages to be easier with two than with one, since they do occupy each other much of the time--yes, even from early on. Also, it depends very much on the person, his or her temperment, and how organized he or she is. There are things that are harder and things that are easier, but it's certainly not a guarantee that all people will find life easier or better with one than with two (or more). Best wishes, Ericka I have to agree. I found I hovered around the baby trying to keep him entertained with one but with two it's actually easier in some respects. I can leave my little boy just over two to do drawing, blocks watch a video etc.. while I get something done in another room with the baby or while he is asleep. He's also good at talking to the baby or replacing his dummy if I have my hands full. My sister in law however found life really hard with two and a breeze with one. I think it depends on the temperment of th ekids and the parents. Judy |
#12
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Is there an equation ?
Ian wrote:
I don't think this is true at all. I have one child and have A LOT more time, energy, financial resources, couple time than my friends with more kids. The more kids you have the more work it will be. Thats why we made the decision to have one. You arent telling me that someone with 4 kids has as much free time as me? I certainly know many parents of single children who appear to have less time than I do with three. Best wishes, Ericka |
#13
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Is there an equation ?
Ian wrote:
I am not knocking anyone with more than one kid. I just couldn't live with it 24/7. The demands, financial and otherwise of just one are more than enough for me. To be honest I have no idea how people cope with more than one. I`d love more, but I would be a wreck. Why not be honest to the OP? 2, 3 kids ARE more work than one. Actually, I found many stages to be easier with two than with one, since they do occupy each other much of the time--yes, even from early on. Also, it depends very much on the person, his or her temperment, and how organized he or she is. There are things that are harder and things that are easier, but it's certainly not a guarantee that all people will find life easier or better with one than with two (or more). Best wishes, Ericka |
#14
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Is there an equation ?
Nikki wrote:
Finances. IME (not a lot) two kids are twice as expensive as one. That has held true for me with everything except insurance. I pay the same for the family plan regardless of whether I have one or ten. Mine are close though so I had two in daycare, two in diapers, two Christmas, two b-day, two going to the doc, etc. #2 does wear hand me down clothes so in that regard #2 is less expensive but I buy cloths for $1 so not that much less :-) I think the finances depend a lot on how much discretionary income you have. If you can afford to spend twice as much, you probably will. If you were frugal with one, then you'll spend more with two. If you were profligate with one, then you probably won't spend a lot more with two--unless you have the money and choose to do so ;-) Two will definitely cost more with one if you're only spending for necessary things, but once discretionary things creep in, then you have, well, the discretion to adjust that how you like ;-) Best wishes, Ericka |
#15
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Is there an equation ?
x-no-archive:yes
Ericka Kammerer wrote: Nikki wrote: Finances. IME (not a lot) two kids are twice as expensive as one. That has held true for me with everything except insurance. I pay the same for the family plan regardless of whether I have one or ten. Mine are close though so I had two in daycare, two in diapers, two Christmas, two b-day, two going to the doc, etc. #2 does wear hand me down clothes so in that regard #2 is less expensive but I buy cloths for $1 so not that much less :-) I think this is to a certain extent dependent on how close the kids are. I was using cloth diapers and I didn't have two so close that they were both in diapers at the same time. OTOH the first two were different body types and couldn't always hand clothes down. Plus there was a 2 year period when they both wore the same size, particularly shoes (not that I handed down shoes). Then the third one was the same body type as the first one, but was 7 years younger so the styles weren't quite the same in some cases. Then the 4th one was a boy. I didn't WOH so I didn't have daycare unless I was going to the commissary or was working as a substitute teacher, in which case the kids were either in school themselves or at the base nursery, which was affordable. We also used the base medical facilities which were free. I think the finances depend a lot on how much discretionary income you have. If you can afford to spend twice as much, you probably will. If you were frugal with one, then you'll spend more with two. If you were profligate with one, then you probably won't spend a lot more with two--unless you have the money and choose to do so ;-) Two will definitely cost more with one if you're only spending for necessary things, but once discretionary things creep in, then you have, well, the discretion to adjust that how you like ;-) I think one way that the 2nd one will be cheaper is that you will already have some of the furniture etc. required. Cribs, car seats (provided that you don't have them too close together so you need 2 of everything), high chairs, carriers, etc. I think I spend $15 at a second hand shop and got a crib and a chest which dh renovated and painted. I got a hand-me-down high chair from somewhere (don't remember where), and I think about the only thing I bought new was a playpen and a stroller. The other way a second one is easier is that you already know how to pack a diaper bag and change a diaper. The second one may not react exactly the same as the first one, but they will both be babies which have to be fed and one end and cleaned up at the other end, and you already know a bit about that with the second and subsequent ones. The only time two are definitely almost twice as expensive as one is if they are twins. IMHO IME, the third one took way more extra time than the 2nd one, but then there was 5 years between #2 and #3. grandma Rosalie |
#16
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Is there an equation ?
Nan wrote:
On Mon, 26 Jan 2004 22:44:20 -0000, "Ian" wrote: I mean extended periods of being left alone, like colouring in their room etc. You cant leave a 3 yr old alone, they are into everything!! Really?? My 3 year old is fine being by herself for long enough to color a picture, or play with some play-doh. If we already had a room set up for her to play in, it would be even better, since it would be set up for a 3 year old, and I wouldn't have to worry about her getting into 'everything'. Heck, my 22mo can "play alone" for short periods of time with his trains or other toys he enjoys while I go down to the kitchen or something. I can't leave him for long periods of time without checking in on him, but 5-10 minutes is *no* problem. Of course, we have the house pretty well child-proofed so there's not a whole lot he can "get into" that would cause serious danger--about the worst thing he can do is to climb up on some furniture and fall off of it, but he seems to know that's something he oughtn't do and so he doesn't. I get a taste when my kids has friends over. The noise and mess level goes up about 200%. Constant "He did this" and "she did that" I get more trouble from the kids with siblings. I thought kids with siblings would know how to share, get along, but I have had my eyes opened. Maybe I live on a street of brats, but they seem like normal kids to me. No wonder their Moms send them over so often, they need the break! Oh, I think it's mostly because your child has a friend over, and it's different from everyday life for your kid. Of *course* things will escalate when there is a playmate around. A few hours with another child in your home simply isn't an accurate depiction of what day to day life with more than one would be like. Agreed, although I have to say, my experience with my son's friends might lead to rose-colored glasses rather than the reverse--he is just *so* much easier to get along with and deal with when he has a buddy to play with; when it's just him and his sibs, he is always "bored". Ugh! -- Be well, Barbara (Julian [6], Aurora [4], and Vernon's [22 mos.] mom) This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop: Financing for "5" years -- car dealership sign Daddy: You're up with the chickens this morning. Aurora: No, I'm up with my dolls! All opinions expressed in this post are well-reasoned and insightful. Needless to say, they are not those of my Internet Service Provider, its other subscribers or lackeys. Anyone who says otherwise is itchin' for a fight. -- with apologies to Michael Feldman |
#17
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Is there an equation ?
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#18
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Is there an equation ?
"Circe" wrote in message news:I_lRb.2304$fD.917@fed1read02... Nan wrote: On Mon, 26 Jan 2004 22:44:20 -0000, "Ian" wrote: I mean extended periods of being left alone, like colouring in their room etc. You cant leave a 3 yr old alone, they are into everything!! Really?? My 3 year old is fine being by herself for long enough to color a picture, or play with some play-doh. If we already had a room set up for her to play in, it would be even better, since it would be set up for a 3 year old, and I wouldn't have to worry about her getting into 'everything'. Heck, my 22mo can "play alone" for short periods of time with his trains or other toys he enjoys while I go down to the kitchen or something. I can't leave him for long periods of time without checking in on him, but 5-10 minutes is *no* problem. Ditto here, currently at 24 months. P. Tierney |
#19
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Is there an equation ?
"Silvasurfa" wrote in message m... (Craig) wrote in message om... For the more kids you have, the amount of time / energy / whatnot is increased ? 1 kid = 1x multiplier 2 kids = 2.5x multiplier 3 kids = 4x multiplier Just wondering Craig Not that simple, a lot depends on the personalities of the kids, the age gapes and how the kids interact. I think this us very true. For us a 2nd child would have been a 5x multiplier. Yet my buddy with 5 kids spends all evening on the PC online gaming, as does his wife. They have kids from age 1 to 10. I have no idea how they have that much free time, or have the energy to be up till 2am. I am in bed for 10pm! When my child was between 2 and 3 I seriously considered a vasectomy. I found those times very very hard, as did my wife. I could not even imagine adding a baby to that mix. My wifes best friend has a 2 yr old. When he comes over, touching our stuff, food on the floor, tantrums, whining, it brings it all back. I would not go through that h**l again for anything. I like a nice, neat quite home or I go crazy, not possible with more than one. My buddies house (with 5 kids) looks like a bomb has hit it. I could not live that way. |
#20
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Is there an equation ?
I get a taste when my kids has friends over. The noise and mess level goes up about 200%. Constant "He did this" and "she did that" I get more trouble from the kids with siblings. I thought kids with siblings would know how to share, get along, but I have had my eyes opened. Maybe I live on a street of brats, but they seem like normal kids to me. No wonder their Moms send them over so often, they need the break! Nah, other kids are not the same as your own. I am not knocking anyone with more than one kid. I just couldn't live with it 24/7. The demands, financial and otherwise of just one are more than enough for me. To be honest I have no idea how people cope with more than one. I`d love more, but I would be a wreck. That's nice you can admit that - lol. Why not be honest to the OP? 2, 3 kids ARE more work than one. Well obviously that's not true for everyone. So no, I won't say that. When my sister only had one, she had it a lot harder, she was a lot busier, than I am with my 3. |
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