COST OF KIDS

I have seen repeatedly the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way.  It's nice, really nice!

The American government came up with these stats:  The cost of raising a child from birth to 18 years is in the region of $160,140 for a middle income famiy.  This does not even touch college tuition.

But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down.  It translates to $8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week.  Thats a mere $24.24 a day.  Just over a dollar an hour.

Still you might think the best financial advice says don't have children it you want to be "rich".  It is just the opposite, kids make you richer than any money could make you.  So what do you get for your $160,140?

Naming rights. First, middle and last!

Spontaneous smiles that change your day.

Glimpses of God every day.

Giggles under the covers at night.

More love than your heart can hold.

Butterfly kisses and velcro hugs.

Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds and warm cookies.

A hand to hold, usually covered with jam.

Unexpected notes and pictures left on your bed.

A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sandcastles and skipping in the pouring rain.

The priviledge of being the "Best Dad" and "Best Mom" in the world.

Someone to laugh yourself silly with no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

Never having to grow up.

You get to finger paint, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning bugs and never stop believing in Santa Clause.

You get to make the best of your life in order to leave a worthwhile legacy.

You have an excuse to keep: reading Pooh and Piglet, Watching cartoons, going to disney movies and wishing on stars.

The gift of making someone elses world feel so safe.

You get to frame rainbows, hearts and flowers under fridge magnets, collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, handprints in clay for mothers day and cards with backwards letters for Fathers Day.

You get to be a hero for retrieving the frisbee off the roof, taking training wheels off the bike, removing a splinter, filling the wading pool, coaching the baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get front row seats to history to witness first steps, first words, first bra, first date and first time behind the wheel.

You get another branch added to the family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs called grandchildren.

You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications and human sexuality that no college can match.

You get an overflowing feeling of fulfillment, that cannot be described only felt.

You have all the power to heal a Boo-Boo, scare away monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.

ENJOY YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS