a question for mothers with school-age children.

[mommyziegler]

I was just sitting here thinking are girls more expensive then boys? with their jewlery and their make-up, and the must have shoes and clothes. i'll put a poll to make it easier but please do respond by poll or write something. thanks so much

[KairisMama]

Well by the time I was into make up and jewelry I was buying it myself more than having mom and dad buy it for me. I think what gets pricey during the school years is paying for the extra curricular activities. My brothers were part of a LOT of sports, while I was only part of ice skating. It really depends on what your own kid is into. I doubt one gender is more costly than the other.  

[mom2myangelboy]

I cant vote. I only have a son so i dont really know.

[Sportbominable]

My kids go to Catholic school. They cannot wear makeup or nail polish. They can only have a small watch, post earrings, or a small religious medal pinned to their uniform. Our school has a uniform exchange program. They have an empty classroom filled with uniforms in all sizes, shoes, socks, and the gym uniform. You take what you need for free and return it when your children outgrow them. Our children are not spoiled. They get special gifts on their birthday and Christmas and for being good every month. I get free clothes from friends and from freecycle. I do not buy new clothes, but my kids still look cute and nice.

[homemommie]

I think alot factors into the answer to this. My DD is older by 6 yrs, she is 8 and my DS is only 2 so yes she is more expensive to buy for. But, my DD has a Dad and a Stepdad so her Dad is really the one that buys her all the electronic gadgets that she wants..lol

[3kidz4me]

That is really hard to say because yes, girls can be expensive with the clothes, accessories, etc...but boys clothes aren't exactly cheap either. My son likes his skinny jeans, Vans shoes and plays sports which really get expensive. Kids are expensive, period!!! This is going to be a 'tight' Christmas this year.

[momto3infl]

My girls are not.  They dont need or care to have tons of shoes or cloths, and my 11yr is not into makeup, when and if she gets into it may be hard because of skin issues.  So for me my girls are costing the same as our son. 

[ff-princess]

for me it's actually cheaper having girls because the baby can wear the hand-me-downs.  as for shoes and makeup, etc., just because they want it doesn't mean they're going to get it.  same as my son.

and I would have to put the boy at the top of the $$ list becaues it's costing us $30k year to send him to military school.

[sandra_t00]

I think so

[Ebony63]

But aren't makeup and jewlery an option, not a necessity??

[hfs1998]

Quoting Sportbominable:

My kids go to Catholic school. They cannot wear makeup or nail polish. They can only have a small watch, post earrings, or a small religious medal pinned to their uniform. Our school has a uniform exchange program. They have an empty classroom filled with uniforms in all sizes, shoes, socks, and the gym uniform. You take what you need for free and return it when your children outgrow them.

This is the same situation with my girls.  We also do the uniform exchange and buy a few items brand-new (like the gym uniforms, they don't seem to last through more than one kid).  They have the same restrictions on make-up and jewelry (though at 8 and 6, that really doesn't affect them).  Their outside-of-school outfits are mostly presents from their grandparents, aunts and uncles.  Hobbies are definitely what drives up your expenses.  DH is a hockey referee and it is a bit shocking how much ice hockey can cost.  My girls are in scouts (cheap) and chess club (also cheap).  My 8 yo just joined cheerleading which was $100 plus the uniform (about $75).  My only son is just 15 mos so I can't compare exactly between the genders but I usually think that kids are expensive as you make them be.