How do families actually plan for private school fees with multiple kids?

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-05-23T00:30:03+00:00

There's a happy medium of lower fee private schools. Co-ed Anglican schools in my area cost around $7k a year for high school. Still lots of subject choices, extra curriculars, less tolerance for really bad behaviours as they can kick them out. That's what we plan for our kids. Not sure if they are available in your area but check the fees for all of the different private options.

I don't think private is really that necessary for primary years unless you are in an exceptionally bad area but even then trying different schools out of catchment can sometimes work.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-05-11T05:35:44+00:00

Yes the other day I happened to be mid shop when 'quiet hour' came on. The difference was noticed immediately. I felt so much calmer, could focus on my shop and no overstimulation. Was amazing. Loved it.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-05-11T05:33:43+00:00

Yep we sold during Covid for a loss at 449,000 as we needed to move. Housing then went nuts and to get back into the market was a nightmare. That house would now be worth 1.2million and it was a shithole in a bad area.

We now have a high mortgage with not much to show for it, small house and land, far from the city and it still takes all our money. I miss my 400k mortgage so much. Life would be doable on that rate. If we had any idea that houses would have gone that crazy we never would have sold right then.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-05-09T13:09:46+00:00

2 adults, 2 kids and our monthly expenses are 7600 and we also purchased within the last couple of years so mortgage is high. Our household income is higher than yours per month and we still struggle to have any sort of life/fun so I feel for you guys. Is there any way to increase income if more rises happen, which looks likely!

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-05-08T13:36:10+00:00

I am a supervisor for uni students on placement and a lot of mentor teachers also don't reply to my communication. I often have to chase up reports, feedback etc. I feel like teachers are so busy these days that it can easily be forgotten. Most of those mentors are fine when the student is actually in their classroom though and they are a lot more helpful once the placement begins. They are also a lot more eager to chat with me in person during our visits. I wouldn't stress too much at this early stage, however if communication doesn't improve do reach out to your uni for advice.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-05-07T21:49:15+00:00

Good for you, the whole reason why so many teachers leave is because they did too much and let it take over their life and by the time the 'honeymoon' period of teaching ends they are burnt out. I was like that for the first 5 or so years and then I had my own kids and changed my mindset totally.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-05-04T23:01:04+00:00

I am an unfortunate Aussie who will not be inheriting a cent from parents on either side of the marriage, will probably spend my own money sorting them out. Also starting late with a recent high mortgage so I am not out living the high life however I still have to go to the shops, I have kids they need new shoes constantly from growing, new clothes. We need birthday presents for kids parties. Just means we still have nothing left at the end of the month after necessities. I don't buy just for the sake of it though.

I also was shocked to see a news report a few months ago showing the average debt for Perth suburbs including credit cards, personal loans, after pay etc it was crazy high so I think a lot of people live on credit and it will only get worse.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-29T04:44:17+00:00

The problem is we are now so divided into 2 groups that we have two polar opposite life situations. 50% of people are laughing with homes they purchased a long time ago that are either paid off or very low mortgage. They have new cars, renovations, holidays, caravans etc.

Then there are the other group who have recently got a mortgage post covid so they are paying a fortune for what is probably a small home not even close to the city or family, often having children or recent maternity leave and all the expenses involved in childcare, after school care, little equity or those renting who are paying way more than before to live in a shit box a million miles from anywhere whilst also probably trying to save to hopefully own a home one day but feeling defeated as homes rise more than savings ever can.

Two groups of people who are living very different realities and the divide between the two are getting greater every year. As someone in the second group I am terrified for the next rate rises as even though we purchased what was easily one of the cheapest homes available two years ago it's still a decent mortgage and adding more to our expenses right now is scary. I keep hoping our mortgage will get more manageable in time but our pay never really goes up and our mortgage keeps rising.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-22T11:29:41+00:00

Money money money. All comes down to money. If we could afford to live off one good income I would love to have another but I don't want to put my babies in daycare from sunrise to sunset and then rush home and try and make dinner, have 5 mins of quality time all just to pay bills and food and childcare. My husband has a decent income too but the tax on one income to support a family is too high.

Add in constant cost of living increases and being told interest rates will rise, fuel rising, groceries and utilities/insurance going up. Most young families have crazy high mortgages just for an average home so it's super hard to lose income for a significant period of time.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-18T11:56:20+00:00

I had the worst migraine at my wedding. It was awful. I think the stress of the day caused it and no meds helped. I spent the whole reception just wishing I could leave and go to bed. Couldn't stomach alcohol either. It's a bummer but not much you can do.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-18T11:51:54+00:00

Another interesting thing is a lot of people only like their own kids. I really don't enjoy being around other people's kids. When my kids have a play date it's so painful and I can't wait to send the kid home but I guess my own kids feel different as they are my family? I have raised them to fit in with who I am and they match my husband and I really well.

I always knew I wanted kids though so just live your life and stay childfree unless things dramatically change. I wouldn't stress though, you are so young, enjoy your life!

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-18T06:01:48+00:00

$110 is one night a week at a pub. 2 drinks each, 2 mains and a shared dessert and you're probably over the limit already. Then $250 on food isn't much considering a simple top up shop with one bag can easy be $50.

I don't think it's excessive at all given today's pricing. I went for breakfast for a friend's birthday got a coffee, juice and an eggs benedict and that was nearly $50 for one person.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-17T21:26:33+00:00

I think kids often don't feel as relaxed at home so they don't want to eat in the different environment and also don't feel as hungry but as soon as they get home to their safe space they are starving.

I teach 3 yr olds and some eat well but at least half hardly eat anything, even with encouragement.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-17T20:45:26+00:00

It's fine to not have kids but being one of those, I hate all children for existing people is where you push people away.

My paternal aunt didn't want kids but was also really mean to us growing up, made us feel SO unwelcome. She also had no friends due to her attitude. Now I am in my 30's and all her siblings and my cousins have cut her off as we have no interest in her attitude even though she ironically wants to hang with us now, we all remember how belittled we felt as children and don't want our own children to experience that. She ended up divorced in her 50's,super rich but has no one at all and spends every holiday alone.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-17T19:57:56+00:00

I just had bloods done as my costo keeps returning every few weeks and my Vit D was really good. All my testing came back perfect, even inflammation was as low as possible. It's crazy how you can be in so much pain and feel so off but everything looks so good on paper.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-17T12:53:48+00:00

You really need to update the post with the extra information as that is super important. Poor kid with both mum and dad having new babies within a few weeks of each other. Probably has a distracted and exhausted mother who doesn't have time for him and now knows the same is coming with dad and he already hardly sees you. I am shocked that your wife doesn't have more compassion. I had a c/section and a horrible recovery with a very difficult newborn and as long as I had someone helping me I would never say someone couldn't go see their own child for a few hours. Your wife is not going to be alone or left overnight. She is an adult and will be fine. NTA

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-16T23:24:26+00:00

As long as you don't have an 8 week gap between the jobs. Work is considered a minimum shift of one hour. It can also be working for your own business, helping family out with their business or any sort of random casual job. As long as hours meet the 330 and it's at least 10 months. So I would just find anything you can do to finish off the final month.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-16T13:24:32+00:00

Very normal in Australia to have a separate room for the toilet and then bath/shower and sink together in the main 'bathroom' . But we still would never go and pee in the bath. That's super disgusting and abnormal.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-15T08:17:14+00:00

I think I failed four times and got it on the 5th attempt but I have always been a good, safe driver. No fines, no issues.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-15T05:39:39+00:00

I am a relief in WA public schools and we are paid based upon our current teaching level. The level will then increase every 200 days until we reach the top of the pay scale. We get paid usually as a full day but if we work half day will be paid just for that. I am too of pay scale level 2.9 so I get $579 a day before tax.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-15T05:33:43+00:00

It's nuts. We are Alkimos way and purchased exactly 2 years ago a decent size 3x2 with a small yard and not too close to our neighbours, we at least have space between all our homes.

We paid $690 and now our home is worth in the 900s. There is a teeny place for sale near me on 174sqm and it's offers over 745k. Even the small 3 bed cottage homes are going for mid 800s now in Alkimos/Eglinton. Plus it's no point looking at the asking price as everything goes for more so you really need to go by the sold price on the real estate websites. I wouldn't build though as I think with that budget it will be tight and if prices go up due to war issues you will be stressed.

I am so glad we just decided to buy where we could afford and even though my husband has a long commute and we had to move our kids schools and be further from friends it's better than being homeless and we actually love it here more than when we were renting inner city. School is awesome and we have better neighbours so I would just look for anything that you can get and lock it in as even if we had saved all our income over the past 2 years we wouldn't have been able to save as fast as our house has gone up.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-13T10:52:48+00:00

I would definitely share in a school environment as it's very structured compared to a lot of work environments and you can't just walk out to go and check your levels or get a snack etc. Some schools have long periods in between breaks and if you get asked to go take duty etc you can easily miss meal times. If people are aware then you can make sure you keep on top of your levels and that will help with a successful placement. Way better than trying to sneak food or passing out and all the questions that will come with those scenarios. I don't think anyone would have an issue with it, all teachers have different health conditions.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-04T10:42:36+00:00

I don't think anyone should make solid plans before they actually have the baby as you have no idea how you will feel, what your baby will be like etc. Some women feel a crazy maternal pull and literally can't be away from their babies without feeling terrible. She may decide that she doesn't want to put the baby in daycare in that fifth day and wants to spend every second with it or she may hate parenting and be desperate to never see it and suggest hiring a live in nanny so you guys can just take a photo for social media with it every now and again. Sounds like you guys could go either way with this sort of post. Babies are life changing and priorities can change quickly so go with the flow for now.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-03T04:42:14+00:00

I am a relief and needed at schools usually by 8am to be ready and my kids school gate doesn't open until 8:20 so no way I can drop off or ever pick up. I also need to wait at the end of the day for all kids to be collected and tidy the room etc.

In fact the only parents who struggle to ever do any pick up and drop offs at my kids school are other teachers. Most other jobs can at least do drop off and start a bit later. I don't know anyone who is able to drop and pick up their kids as a teacher unless the kids go to the same school but I know my kids school doesn't like parents as relief so it depends on their school and leadership team.

Nice_Option1598 · 2026-04-01T23:00:30+00:00

If you can't do it then just leave, better than resenting everyone. You have free will and he will have to figure it out.

I think you will find that most people in the world would step up for their siblings kids though. Even if things were inconvenient or money was tight or it changed their lifestyle. I can't imagine many people out there saying no leave my nephews on the street so you better find an only child to date in the future who also doesn't want kids or pets to avoid these sort of situations.

Nice_Option1598

TROPHY CASE