Would you swap schools to afford another baby?

[suziguzi]

Hi,

I am after some opinions.

I have 3 kids who are in Public Independant Primary School that is costing me a fortune. Every year the fees increase along with the cost of living. We are just scraping by now to afford them there. My dilema is I really want a 4th child ( I know - crazy!). But, I don't think realistically I can afford 4 in private schooling. So, should I ease the financial burdan and move them to a public school or catholic school ( a saving of about $10,000 per year!) and go for number 4, or be happy with the 3 I have and give them the best education I can? I love the school, but hate the payments. If I do pull them out I would certainly be wanting them to go back for private High schooling. Very hard choice!

[*Ang*]

Truthfully I think that this is a question only you yourself can answer...how desperately do you want another child? If that is your number 1 priority then the answer is obvious, switch schools. There are plently of good private/catholic high schools that dont cost as much.

[diva det]

the other thing to do is work out a payment plan with the school. They might be happy for you to pay a certain amount off each week/fortnite so this goes towards their fees ect. if it is spread out, then sometimes its not so daughting. The other thing is to start to pay a bit extra off now so that when number 4 is ready for school, you have allready started paying their fees.
good schools that you are happy with and the kids love are gold! Talk to them and you may be able to work it out rather than pull the kids out!
HTH
odette

[Phteven]

Only you can answer that question but as an old person do you think you're more likely to regret your choice of school or not having a 4th child?
I've never read anything to make me believe that private schools are inherantly better than public although in some towns they may be the better option, just as in some towns the public may be a better option, so for me it's a no-brainer but I do see that if you believe private is better than public or you live in a twon with an awful public school it could be a conundrum.

[Mum0809]

I think you would need to talk to your dh and childrento to see how they feel about it. There are some good public and catholic schools. I went to a catholic school and it was great. You would need to find out about the schools in your area, in some places they are good and other areas they are crappy.

[suziguzi]

Thats what I am worried abut. That I will get to age 40 and regret not having another child.

We already pay fortnightly. $540 at the moment per fortnight and next year it will be $640 + and any annual increase ( which happens every year of around $200 per child). That is a lot of money that could really help will everyday living expenses.

Soory, I already pay$640 and next year it will be $740+

[Lulu]

Depends on whats about. If there was another good school around I would move them in a heartbeat for another baby.

But I suppose you might need to think about the effect it would have if the kids did move....