Now that is expensive!
People always talk about how expensive kids are. I never really thought kids were that expensive. We have been very frugal in raising our kids. We use cloth diapers. We breastfeed. We have either been given or bought second hand almost all of the larger baby items such as cribs, beds, swings and strollers. As the kids get older we shop thrift stores and use hand me downs for clothes. At Christmas and birthdays we include things they need on their wish list. We look for free or low cost entertainment. We have done some lessons, but we don't go crazy.
The largest cost has been the "opurtunity cost" of me staying home. In my former life, I was a public school teacher. Staying home with the kids has been worth far more to me than the salary they gave me to be with eighth graders all day! Now, with four kids, I think I would be losing money (after paying childcare and the other costs that come with working) if I was teaching again.
So I really thought, "Kids aren't really that expensive." until now. Kellen is getting braces. I was expecting him to need braces. Tim and I both had them and his first adult teeth are extremely crooked. I wasn't expecting braces for him at eight though.
They call this phase one. (meaning there is more to come!) The goal is to straighten the adult teeth that are there now, so the remaining teeth come in better. He is getting a spreader tomorrow. (Can you believe they need to make his mouth bigger!~) Then he will have braces for about 14 months, a retainer and then probably braces again when all the adult teeth are in.
Braces are not cheap. Our insurance does not cover it. Phase one is about $2500! Luckily, the orthodontist has an interest free (with a sizable down payment) plan. So tighten the budget some more, here comes another monthly payment, and another hurdle to debt free living.
I give. Kids are expensive, but what are you going to do? They are worth it. Kellen's teeth are worth it. In hindsight, I wondered if I should have shopped the price. Why is it that I would never think of making a big purchase without research and price comparison, but with this I just went with the dentist's recommendation. Do you shop your health care? Is there really much difference in price?
Labels:
health and beauty,
kids
6 comments:
I had braces as a child, and now my teeth are GORGEOUS. Gorgeous! Just make the kid wears the retainer for a few years, and it'll be an investment worth making.
I don't shop around when it comes to the dentist. Maybe I should. I did shop for the dentsist though. I am comfortable with him, and trust his judgment. Now eye wear. I spent $300 on glasses for my oldest. We had gone the cheaper route but they kept breaking until the warrenty was voided. In the long run buying the flexible frames will be cheaper for us.
I take some of my kids to an expensive dentist, because he is so great with the kids. One of my kids won't open his mouth for anyone else. Also, he is very conservative and doesn't do any work unless and until it is absolutely necessary. But for some of my kids, the regular health fund dentist is fine. My two older boys escaped orthodontia but my 12yo may need it. I figure it's not an emergency and she's not asking for it.
In reponse to your question, I've shopped around for orthodontists. For the daughter, the dentist suggested orthodontic work to correct her overbite and later her teeth. I took her to two different orthodontists for an evaluation. One came in very low ($800 or so) and the other came in around $2000 for phase one.
Which did I choose? The $2000 because they were much more kid focused and were good at helping the daughter overcome her intial fear. They also used more advanced diagnostics that I appreciated and developed a plan that made me feel that the entire problem was going to be addressed. Yes, I bought bells and whistles and I'm still comfortable with my choice. The daughter loves to go and they are very friendly, helpful, and willing to explain things over and over.
At the end of the day you do what you have to do because they are worth it. But you are SO right in that it's not inexpensive!!
Hugs,
Holly
Holly's Corner
Here via the Carnival of Family Fun ;o)
Yes, kids can be expensive if you add up all the monetary amounts. But somehow you make it work. And they are definitely worth it!
Here via Carnival of Family Life.
Post a Comment