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Author Nicole Knepper argues that the current economic situation has made many families rethink the decision to have children.
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Up 4% that threat of recession is real and unemployment remains above 9% the economy clearly slowing and now the cost of raising a child -- at a record high.
So high that parents on not having as many children.
Joining us now is Nicole -- featured in the blog on Chicago's -- dot com and everyday moms dot com nickel -- the program.
First of I'm not sure I can hear you.
I don't know what you whispering -- -- but I'm not sure I can hear you soon as self try to get out -- well we're actually coming out loud and clinical believe me now.
Let's established the point festival is it accurate that people are having fewer children because of the cost of raising children is that true.
I would say generally speaking yes I think that's true.
Apparent now do you go along with the view that -- of cost of raising children future cost.
Should be part of the equation on whether or not you have children.
What are you -- And I do.
And I think some people would disagree but I absolutely the right thing He needs you plan and and try to fight your kids -- to be as successful as possible -- that includes.
The -- for that.
I think you'll upset a lot of people -- that's because the decide the decision to have wall have not children.
Is not yeah.
I'm gonna say that for me at least of -- many other people is not a financial consideration and Tracie burns is with me.
Mother of three she's nodding her head and saying the same -- -- You make -- case -- Why is finance.
At Paramount importance in the decision to -- have not children.
Well I think.
Well personally for me it was -- and the first time around absolutely adolescent the second time around it lies just due to expenses daycare.
How much -- -- it cuts for two kids in daycare.
And now I can speak as a parent you know of a special needs child and these are.
-- I never factored into having children I didn't think I'd be paying her.
Hundred dollars a month and medication they're there He felt -- -- if there's a lot of I'm Christine -- how much having kids -- itself.
That changes might pay a little bit now but that's hindsight.
Now we are in recession or headed to recession.
We'll know that -- really are genuinely tough.
So would you full cast a much Lola -- rates because of this.
-- know if it's just because of that.
I mean eight it seems like that you know rates and teenage pregnancy are going down and you know despite having -- show on MTV that.
I think that people are thinking about and people are having children later kill women are having kids later.
Do you think people are common depressed.
I can only speak for me and I don't I don't like the way the economy is I've been making our job for years -- It is depressing it's upsetting to think about you know.
Not be able to provide my children -- -- -- -- not be able to me and billing and want to patches from my retirement pay for their college her the things that they need a.
It just I'm just.
Not gonna pick on them.
That's I'm.
You know.
You can apparently none -- -- and other -- do that I don't see it in the same way that you do I see I've got six children and then.
Trout finds my parents are you about.
I hit my fame present for seismic all right I've got six kids to me it's an absolute jewel -- Over and above any cost that's in the polls and having children.
A frankly.
There surely.
Great to jewel -- -- having children than the worries about costs which you can minimize now I understand you've got a special needs child and understand that's a very different equation point well taken.
But.
And it took -- someone like me who has six healthy and children.
The joy way you book comes any cost considerations.
You're a negative and I'm not.
Now I I agreed that they -- outlays that I never.
I think in a much ballot my percent is to start Friday and with the second day I had to get that that just because of limited finances -- I agreed that the -- outweighs.
Anything house I would never I wouldn't Tina and I think part of the problem today is because I would have kept having them unfortunately -- turned -- corner and I couldn't but you.
We put too much pressure on ourselves offer our kids.
The best they need to have everything you need to not be able to buy -- kid and I -- when He turns ten or whatever the rules are these days.
And I don't think that's what makes him good people and then that's not what matters when I'm 85 it's the people sitting around my dining room table not the products that purchased over the years to them so I think maybe we need to change our mindset.
A little bit of well I think that we live in a society that is so expensive and having a special needs son myself who's done extremely well.
I can relate to what the polls saying because it was in its enormous cost taxes have to be.
-- today and part of it is just limited.
-- -- latest on the for the almost no not Nicole -- we'll get your second call about -- badly as you've got some of the -- mother of two I think is that correct.
-- that channel I wanted five kids five dogs.
But let me tell you something I got nervous and I I wouldn't think that some people out there agree that.
The costs of life.
Are a little scary sometimes and as much as you -- -- have an abundance of children not love to be 85 and haven't grandchildren in fact.
I don't get every day get afraid for that thing that they may need -- way that I can help them.
College -- computer just to sign up for after school program for sports was 12100 dollars.
-- robotics when it -- -- hundred.
Dollar -- it's so it's an -- -- case that it's a Tracy and myself.
Against the call and to some degree against it you have to look at -- -- and kept it not so.
And last would unit -- -- I just I just gonna say that you don't have to spend all this money you don't they don't have to have the honor of the twelve they don't have to have a I listen.
But NFL I don't all the families and that I mean -- is just everyday living it's truly every day -- you know school clothes surprise for school all those types of things.
In our particular situation and -- on -- -- on a non for profit income so.
You're stretched pretty and this really isn't to -- it's -- about activities and I has been having a fat I have.
It really is everyday living cracks and being able to afford it to stay in -- house now.
You know -- -- you appear at the very interesting time on our program we've got -- stock market that's tanking and an economy in recession and you'll talk about the cost of raising children.
Very important subject and a very important time the call -- Good stuff we appreciate you being with us -- -- thank you very much think -- any.
