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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!bene!luke!itkin
From: itkin@luke.UUCP (Steven List)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: My first baby
Message-ID: <293@luke.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 1-Aug-85 17:52:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: luke.293
Posted: Thu Aug  1 17:52:03 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 3-Aug-85 03:24:57 EDT
References: <3484@cornell.UUCP>
Reply-To: itkin@luke.UUCP (Steven List)
Organization: Benetics Corp, Mt.View, CA
Lines: 45
Keywords: I'm so excited!
Summary: 

In article <3484@cornell.UUCP> martin@cornell.UUCP (Susan Martin) writes:
>    I have recently learned that I'm going to be a mother!
>I'm 28, single, and a lowly secretary.
[...]
>    I'm really scared to death.  Since my salary is not that great at all,
>I am finding it difficult figuring out how I can possibily afford this!
[...]
>    Also, if I marry the baby's father, he'll have the right to tell me what
>to do and how to bring up my child.  On the other hand, if I don't marry him,
>he'll be under no legal obligation to help out, but also won't be able to tell
>me how to do things.

Being the father of three (4 years, 2 years, and 10 days), I can
appreciate the worries about affording "this".  While I make a pretty
decent salary, my wife only make about $300 a month.  Thus, all five of
us must survive on my salary (while buying half a house and paying off a
brand new car).  This last baby was not planned, and I had many of the
same concerns when we found out.

OTHER PARENTS, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG:  I have always worried about how
much it costs to raise a child.  It always seems that it's not as bad as
I feared.  Even though our two older children are in preschool, most of
the cost is for us big people.  Food (babies don't cost ANYTHING if you
can nurse) is most costly for people who eat more.  Even with our son
being allergic to wheat, milk, eggs, and chocolate and requiring some
special foods, he doesn't cost too much.  If you have a good support
group (family and friends), clothes won't cost very much.  Probably the
worst is doctors (OB and Pediatrician).  If you have good insurance,
that won't be too bad.  Find out NOW if you have well baby care.  If
not, plan on setting a little aside for the regular checkups.  Also, for
later on, vision and dental.

Anyway, like I said, it always seems to cost LESS than I expect.  You
will probably need to plan for the initial doctor bills now.  Even with
good insurance, you will have to pay some of it.  Try to find out how
much and set it aside.

Congratulations!  Even unexpected blessings are blessings.  And babies
are the most incredible miracle.
-- 
***
*  Steven List @ Benetics Corporation, Mt. View, CA
*  Just part of the stock at "Uncle Bene's Farm"
*  {cdp,greipa,idi,oliveb,sun,tolerant}!bene!luke!itkin
***