According to the recent studies the cost of raising a child from 0 to 18 in the UK is above £230,000.
However, more and more parents are looking into cost-effective alternatives to make sure that, while their children can have everything they need, they also don’t leave huge debts behind them in the family budget. As a result, modern parents claim that they’ve been able to cut down the cost by almost half while ensuring that their children always had the best of time, support, and care at all times.
For new parents, the first few years are going to be the most expensive in the life of your child. Indeed, babies need a lot of equipment and specialist items that come at a cost. However, what children need most from their parents is guidance on how to become happy and successful adults. Guidance, thankfully, is affordable to all. The best parents don’t need to break the bank to encourage their children to develop their emotional, creative and social understanding of the world. Here are little rules to bear in mind and keep your budget in the green:
Teach them the values that matter
The values you instil in your kids are the most precious gift you can make. Indeed, they are going to help form the adult they will be. Values, as it happens, are entirely free. However, being free doesn’t mean they don’t deserve your utmost attention. A balanced adult is a child who’s discovered the important values to guide their path to happiness. On top of the list, honesty is a crucial gift. When a child understands how to make their views heard without hurting anybody’s sensibility in the process, you can be sure that they are less alike, as an adult, to get stuck in an unhealthy relationship – emotionally or professionally. Additionally, children need to see and experience love. Not only the fact that you love them, but also the affection between relatives. When a child sees their parents hugging and kissing, they also understand what a loving relationship looks like.
Little gifts can go a long way
Admittedly, you can’t rely on life lessons all the time. Children need to play to explore the world and develop their personality and curiosity. However, you don’t need to renew their stock of toys constantly. On the contrary, you can consider additional features to their favourite toys, such as looking into exquisite dolls house accessories to give their doll games a new angle, or a new car track to complete a racing game. Ultimately, you can boost their imagination and their engagement without needing to introduce a new and complex toy.
They’re happy spending time with you
Children learn to socialise by interacting with their peers. Sociable children tend to grow into adaptable and friendly adults who can navigate a variety of professional and personal interactions successfully. However, your kids will have the most fun not by playing with children their age but by playing with you. Games such as I spy can keep everyone busy during a rainy afternoon and while building fun memories together.
Your children deserve the best in life. However, the best for them isn’t always synonymous with the most expensive items. On the contrary, you can help them to improve their emotional intelligence, creativity and social attitude without breaking the bank.