The Price of Parenthood

I’m not a parent, but as a young adult, I often think about the future and the possibility of having kids someday. Many of my coworkers, some of whom, already have children who are of are my age, and through their experiences, I’ve come to understand just how expensive raising a child can be. It’s not just about providing the basics; it’s about ensuring they have the best possible opportunities in life. Hearing their stories and seeing their struggles firsthand has given me a deeper appreciation for the financial commitment that comes with parenthood.

So out of sheer curiosity and some time to kill, I started doing some math, because why not?

Photo by Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash

These numbers are approximate and what I could find on the internet.

Initial Costs

The expenses start piling up even before the baby arrives. According to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average cost of childbirth in the U.S. is around $13,000 for a vaginal delivery and about $20,000 for a cesarean…