Is my child too spoiled? If you’re even asking, that means you’re spending a good amount of money on your kids. We get it. Youth sports, music lessons, and all those extracurriculars add up, but does that equal a spoiled kid? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how much we’re spending on our children and if that’s even a bad thing.

Why This Matters

Stewarding our money well is one way we love our families.

Key Takeaways
–Kids are expensive! You knew that, but how expensive? According to Lending Tree,families spend an average of 22.6% of their income on the basic annual expenses to raise a child.
-Guilt is real. Ameriprise Financial reports that more than half of parents buy treats and perks for their kids because of feelings of guilt.

Potential Problems of Overspending on Our Kids

1. 1. Kids may get used to receiving all the time.
2. 2. It demonstrates a lack of self-control by Dad.
3. 3. It contributes to kids’ anxious feelings.
4. 4. Parents may feel financial strain.
5. 5. The line between need and want gets blurred.

What Can Dads Do?
Action Step 1: Take a hard look at your spending habits around your child. Is it excessive? What is it accomplishing? Is it teaching your child how to love and care for others? Is it helping your child grow in character and to know how to overcome adversity? Ask, “Is my kid too spoiled?”

Action Step 2: Take a hard look at what your spending habits around your kids is doing to you. Are you overextended and stressed out about money? Do you and your wife if you’re married feel pressure to give your kids the greatest of everything? What kind of toll is it taking on you? We need to realize that it doesn’t have to be that way and we may be doing more harm than good. 

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 01:19 | How Much Are We Really Spending on Our Kids?
The dads are shocked that experts say it costs $29,000 per year to raise kids and start unpacking what that number looks like in real life.

01:19 – 03:51 | Am I Overspending or Just Feeding Them?
The dads joke about grocery stores being the biggest drain their wallets.

03:51 – 05:35 | Theme Parks, Passes, and Pricey Memories
The dads discuss splurging on experiences like Disney passes, fancy meals, and the pressure to make “core memories.”

05:35 – 09:03 | Did Our Parents Overspend? Not Even Close
The dads compare their own childhoods, remembering frugal parents who stretched pennies and saved change just to afford family trips.

09:03 – 10:37 | The Gas-Money Jar Strategy
A story about a dad saving coins year-round highlights how dads must sometimes get creative with money.

10:37 – 13:48 | “This Isn’t Fair!” and the Car Lesson That Stuck
A high school complaint about an old station wagon turns into a lifelong lesson in hard work, appreciation, and earning nice things.

13:48 – 17:53 | Overspending Sets an Example—Good or Bad
The hosts explore how spending habits teach kids self-control, limits, and expectations about money.

17:53 – 21:20 | Needs vs. Wants: The Hockey Equipment Breakdown
Using helmets and hockey sticks, they explain how to teach kids the difference between needs versus wants.

21:20 – 25:57 | Am I Buying This for Them… or for Me?
A gut-check question helps dads evaluate whether their spending comes from love, guilt, or wanting to feel like “the fun parent.”

25:57 – End | Teaching Future Money Habits Today
The dads warn that what we do today shapes the financial adults our kids become. Ask often, “Is my kid too spoiled?”

APD Pro Move:
Identify 2-3 significant items or experiences you’ve provided for your child, and ask yourself: What lesson is it teaching them about money, patience, and value? If the answer isn’t clear, or feels negative, hit the brakes and reconsider.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.