How much does it cost to support a child?

I'm 17 and my girlfriend is pregnant. She's keeping it and I want her to keep it. The child will be born when I 'm 18 but I'm wondering on how much we would need to make to be able to support it and no adoption or abortion is not an option for me.

I'm begging you to reconsider adoption!! I know it seems wonderful and exciting to be expecting a child, BUT let me tell you what this child needs to thrive: a child should grow up in a stable, two parent home - A child needs to be raised by his parents, not a daycare/babysitter, a child needs a mom to be around all the time to take care and love him, and a dad to be around all the time to show him how a man should be and to provide for the family--- obviously, this would be the ideal situation. Please don't subject your child to a life of struggling for money, struggling for attention and stability because both parents need to work full time in order to make a living - more than likely your child will have to be in daycare all day when he/she should be at home being raised by a loving mother, not a stranger. And later, having to deal with both parents' new ralationships with other people and more children, etc... This is not good! -- Unless you can get married now, and you can make enough money to be the man of the house and support your family in the way that you should, PLEASE consider adoption. -- As far as money goes - yes! of course it is very expensive to raise a child, but I think that should be the least of you concerns right now... Good luck and I hope you and your girlfriend will make a wise decision.

abt $8000

Plan on $600 a month would be a rough guess. I admire you for keeping the baby, you will have a tough road to hoe. Good Luck and May the Lord Bless you.

Actually, to by everything for the baby and all of the hospital care and doctor visits during the pregnancy and until the 1st year will cost you about 40,000. But that includes everything with the pregnancy and everything they will need for the 1st year.

Me and her have medical insurance so it would cover the doctor thing and the pregnancy. I have medicow or w.e and blue cross.

id say if you have insurance its not that bad plus theres assistance check in your area for familys with kids subzidized homes they pay half or all of your rent , you may qualify for food assistance as well plus the baby shower usually covers everything you'll need for the first few months as they get older it get more exspensive but if its both of you working together to provide for your child then you guys should be fine plus parents alays help anyways ...just never leave her alone with the baby because thats when its hard hope this helps ...

Did you say a baby shower? I know for a fact were not going to have one of those but the rest of your info was very helpful.

I dont have an answer for tha queston the only reason im posting this is because there are not many guys your age that are willing to tak this responsobility. BROVO!!! an Good luck!!! you sound like ull handle it with great care

it is not cheap because my friends mom had her at 16 and it was very hard but she said it was all worth it and now she has 3 children

it all depends on your baby mamma lol ucan spend a sht load of money...

NO I will NEVER consider adoption. No I'm not thrilled about having a kid but I'd rather not have it wondering who its parents are and why we gave him or her up. My child will be raised by me and my girlfriend. I will work she will stay at home since she can't continue school. Adoption may be how you get out of problems but I'm taking responsibilty for my own actions.

NO I will NEVER consider adoption. No I'm not thrilled about having a kid but I'd rather not have it wondering who its parents are and why we gave him or her up. My child will be raised by me and my girlfriend. I will work she will stay at home since she can't continue school. Adoption may be how you get out of problems but I'm taking responsibilty for my own actions.

well 5000 to have the baby and if its only one it will be about 150 amonth and then you should have a babyshower that will get you clothes money food dipers and everything for the first couple months or so but that will help you a lot

you will need a lot because you will need food , diapers , and a lot of other things so around $ 800 or more , good luck and god bless you both

you will need a lot because you will need food , diapers , and a lot of other things so around $ 800 or more , good luck and god bless you both

The average cost of a child for the next 18 years according to statistics, is $300,000.
That is including transportation, education, food, shelter, and the necessities, all at a mediocre level.
ADOPTION isn't a way to get out of a problem. It is a way for parents to ensure that their
children have a stable and secure future. These parents are the bravest and most honourable because they have come to terms with the realization, that they cannot give that child, everything it needs to grow up. To grow up in a stable family, to have proper food and sleep, to have a home that is located in an area that is respectable. It is a way for them to have those sports nights and music lessons, to have those family dinners and get togethers with relatives on Christmas, it's a chance for proper schooling and a shot at University. That is what adoption is, so don't go around saying it's because that the parents do not love their child and are dumping them on someone else. It is because they realize, tnat they love them so much to the point they are allowing their child to possible forget them in hopes of a better life.

You need to think about this.
And you need to realize that you may not be able to let this child grow up to it's full potential. You may not be able to provide. And keeping it, would only be selfish and irresponsible, because you can't let go of that pride that you made a mistake.
Don't make two mistakes.
If you can't take care of this baby, don't ruin it's life because you made a mistake in yours.

A month you are looking at about $500 to $1000 dollars for PROPER, safe, and high quality baby care. That includes transportation, diapers, shelter, food, etc.

Think wisely, do you love this child more than yourself.
Let go of your pride and think of that baby.
Think of how you want this baby to grow up.
Do you want it to have a child at 17 and then realize that it can't
take care of it, but it will do as you did and just keep it because
it was A MISTAKE?
You want your child to believe it is a mistake.

You need to act like an adult now.
Think your things through wisely.

To Lohvetica: You said ' to have a home that is located in an area thats respectable, sports nights, music lessons, and that whole them being a mistake thing well I have a response. I grew up in a bad place as I am today with no music lessons no familiy over and I was more then an accident so I think them living the way I did wont be so bad since I have knowledge about that kind of life but my mom didnt. My 'parents'dont make much but they also never went to a 4 year college so I still have a chance to make something of myself so I can support it better. Well Thanks for the response all of you people.

I don't know about 1 baby but for my twin girls it is about 20-23,000 a month. It is a lot of money but it is definitly rewarding. Best of Luck. God Bless.