After a very frank conversation with a friend recently, I thought I’d share the reasons why I wouldn’t start a family right now. Let me start by clarifying that I don’t regret having my children – this post is in relation to anyone considering starting a family right now. Now we’ve cleared that up, read on to find out the reasons why I wouldn’t start a family today.
Reasons Why I Wouldn’t Start a Family Right Now
It’s 2022 as a type, and the world is just crawling out of a 2 year-long pandemic. That alone has caused MASSIVE issues with finances, healthcare, mental health, access to early years services and lots more besides. The Pandemic isn’t the main reason I’d avoid parenthood right now though…
1). The Economy
Right now, the UK (and global) economy is on the brink of a disaster. Between the Pandemic, the potential of World War III, fuel prices, the cost of living and Brexit, nobody knows where we will be in 5 years’ time. Working Class UK Citizens already struggle to get onto the property ladder, but in a few years’ time, it could be literally impossible, unless you can pay cash for your property.
With this in mind, I wouldn’t want to even contemplate parenthood right now, unless I was already in my own property, with an easily affordable mortgage, had savings of at least 12 months worth of bills in the bank, and a very stable job.
Realistically, most working class people won’t have these requirements ticked off before they are 35. I saw in this piece from Smart Cells recently that the average cost in the first year of having a baby is now around £6000. That’s not including the potential loss of earnings if you’re only entitled to statutory maternity pay, like I was. (Self employment isn’t great when you’re dreaming of motherhood).
Ways to Save
There are, of course many ways to reduce this £6000. You could buy everything preloved, accept hand-me-downs, and breast-feed to cut these costs massively. There will still be unavoidable though. Most midwives and the Lullaby Trust will state that it’s safer for babies to have a brand new cot mattress, to minimise the risk of SIDS. You’ll need bigger clothes to get you through your pregnancy, as well as clothes, nappies, a cot, pushchair or sling, a car seat and much more besides for your baby.
2). The NHS Crisis
It’s no secret the NHS is struggling right now. If the Conservatives stay in power for much longer, I suspect free healthcare will become a thing of the past. This will cause financial issues for lots of UK families. Especially those like mine, with a disabled child. This will mean that UK Income Tax may be reduced slightly, but you’ll likely need to find the cash for any treatment yourself.
For me, there’s too many potential issues and it’s another of the reasons why I wouldn’t start a family right now. It makes me wonder if I was wrong to dismiss storing the kids’ stem cells when they were born. I’m not having any more babies, so it’s too late now!
3). World War III
As I type, Russia is invading the Ukraine. Call me pessimistic (or anxious), but I suspect this will escalate quickly and NATO will be forced to take action. This could lead to a Nuclear War – or World War 3. Personally, I wouldn’t want to being as baby into the world while this is on the cards. I’d definitely be considering embryo storage right now, if I knew I wanted a family some day, but was worried I’d get too old.
4). The Cost of Living
Right now, the cost of living is spiralling out of control. My own Home Energy prices have gone up by 63% in the past month, and we are being warned they could have doubled within a year. The cost of petrol has also sky-rocketed. These price increases are likely to effect the cost of items in Supermarkets soon, as their overheads will have also increased massively.
When you factor in the minimum wage increase too, all of this will mean everything costs more. I’m self-employed so my wage won’t go up. My outgoings will continue to increase though, so this is one of the main reasons why I wouldn’t start a family right now.
5). The Child’s Future
So far, I’ve focussed on things which are affecting us right now. However, when you think about the baby, and how their future may look, I’m not sure it’s all that appealing. University will almost certainly be off the agenda, based on the current student loan / lack of bursaries. Their mental health won’t be well – supported, if the state of CAMHS in the UK right now is anything to go by.
for me, when you factor in all of these 5 reasons why I wouldn’t start a family at the moment. I think it’s understandable that so many people are choosing to put off having children. What do you think? Let me know in the comments if you can think of any other reasons why I wouldn’t start a family.
