It seems kids are worth their weight in gold

IF YOU think your kids are sending you broke, you could be right.

Sami and Reeta Somerville with their children Daniel, 5 and Eden, 7. Picture: john mccutcheon

IF YOU think your kids are sending you broke, you could be right.

The cost of raising children has skyrocketed during the past five years, according to figures from the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling.

The NATSEM report found middle income families were now spending up to $458 a week to raise a child.

The cost of raising two children to the age of 21 ranged from $45,000 for low income families to $800,000 for middle income families.

Brightwater's Sam Somerville said his children, Eden, 7, and Daniel, 5, with wife Rita had so far not been that expensive.

"Up until now, it's been pleasantly surprising," he said.

Mr Somerville said food was a significant cost and always on the rise but school fees for the children, who attended Pacific Lutheran College, were probably the greatest expense.

But he said school uniforms and the Sunshine Coast's climate meant clothing costs for his children were far less than for their cousins in Finland.

Originally published as It seems kids are worth their weight in gold