WELCOME August 23, 1999 Issue

To Our Readers

Russ Gerber

Ask Most People what comes to mind when they think about children in general, and they'll likely mention innocence, love, playfulness, endless energy, and so forth. Now, ask parents who are raising children what they think about them, and somewhere on the list will probably be the expense. That doesn't mean they tend to see kids in cold, economic terms; it just means they're keenly aware of the rising costs that parents have to bear these days.

According to a U.S. News & World Report article from last year, the total cost for child care, food, housing, transportation, clothing, education through college, toys, and other miscellaneous expenses for one child in a middle-class household is around $460,000. It's hardly surprising that there are so many two-income households. And you don't have to be an accounting whiz to see where this leaves single-parent households.

But the economic responsibilities of parenting are only part of the picture. Today's mothers and fathers are also concerned about having enough time to be with their children, to get involved at school, and to be available when important questions come up. They also want to feel secure with their child's health and safety.

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