Kids costly, but worth every penny

Jo Thomson with Hamish and Alex. Photo / Herald on Sunday

They're expensive but worth it, say Jamie and Jo Thomson, parents to Alex, 4, and Hamish, 2.

Systems analyst Jamie, 33, supports the family and pays the mortgage while Jo, a 29-year-old nurse, works a couple of nightshifts a week.

Jo says the biggest cost is her not working fulltime but they wanted one parent at home for the kids.

Their decision has meant putting things like house renovations on hold until the kids are at school and she can work more.

"There's not much point in having children if you get someone else to bring them up," says Jo.

"Besides, it's so much fun watching them playing together and growing up. I wouldn't want to miss that."

She says the cost of raising kids "is more expensive than you think". Hidden costs include winter heating - up to $80 extra a month - and the kids' swimming lessons, almost $1000 a year.