The high life costs, even if you're a child By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine Heather Mills says the £35,000 a year she'll get from Sir Paul McCartney to raise their daughter isn't enough. It may seem an absurd amount of money to average parents, but raising a child in more privileged circles can costs big bucks.
The high life costs, even if you're a child By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine Heather Mills says the £35,000 a year she'll get from Sir Paul McCartney to raise their daughter isn't enough. It may seem an absurd amount of money to average parents, but raising a child in more privileged circles can costs big bucks.
Most parents would probably consider it very satisfactory. Finding the £8,000 it's estimated to cost annually to raise the average child is a struggle for most.
Most parents would probably consider it very satisfactory. Finding the £8,000 it's estimated to cost annually to raise the average child is a struggle for most.
Mills got a £24m divorce settlementA healthy £35,000 a year to do the job would be most welcome. Especially as it doesn't even include those two things guaranteed to drain even the healthiest parental bank account - childcare and private school fees. They will be paid separately.
Mills got a £24m divorce settlementA healthy £35,000 a year to do the job would be most welcome. Especially as it doesn't even include those two things guaranteed to drain even the healthiest parental bank account - childcare and private school fees. They will be paid separately.
But it's not enough for Heather Mills. She says it will mean daughter Beatrice will have to "travel B-class while her father travels A-class".
But it's not enough for Heather Mills. She says it will mean daughter Beatrice will have to "travel B-class while her father travels A-class".
While it may seem a huge amount of money to spend on a child to most people, in more privileged circles it could be spent faster than you can even say divorce - and here's how.
While it may seem a huge amount of money to spend on a child to most people, in more privileged circles it could be spent faster than you can even say divorce - and here's how.
CLOTHES AND SHOES
CLOTHES AND SHOES
The average child's clothing costs are £600 a year, according to insurer Liverpool Victoria (LV). That wouldn't even buy one shoe for the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
The average child's clothing costs are £600 a year, according to insurer Liverpool Victoria (LV). That wouldn't even buy one shoe for the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
They are reported to have paid £1,500 for a pair of baby shoes custom-made by designer Christian Louboutin. Let's hope they're not a mini version of the five-inch heeled stilettos he's famous for.
They are reported to have paid £1,500 for a pair of baby shoes custom-made by designer Christian Louboutin. Let's hope they're not a mini version of the five-inch heeled stilettos he's famous for.
But are they Louboutins?Apparently he was inundated with requests after news of Suri's new shoes got out, so they're not the only ones willing to pay that much for footwear their child will grow out of within a month.
But are they Louboutins?Apparently he was inundated with requests after news of Suri's new shoes got out, so they're not the only ones willing to pay that much for footwear their child will grow out of within a month.
Not all designer wear for children costs this much, but people regularly spend £600 in one shopping trip, says a spokeswoman for Panache Kids, a children's designer boutique in Hertfordshire.
Not all designer wear for children costs this much, but people regularly spend £600 in one shopping trip, says a spokeswoman for Panache Kids, a children's designer boutique in Hertfordshire.
"People choose stuff which comes to hundreds of pounds and just hand over the money, bosh - there you go," she says.
"People choose stuff which comes to hundreds of pounds and just hand over the money, bosh - there you go," she says.
Sales in the shop have been rising steadily in recent years, suggesting kitting out your kid no longer just involves a trip to Mothercare.
Sales in the shop have been rising steadily in recent years, suggesting kitting out your kid no longer just involves a trip to Mothercare.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Now, if we're talking really lavish, no one beats the birthday parties thrown for the Sultan of Brunei's 10 children. Forget your standard clown, entertainment at these bashes is provided by the likes of Elton John.
Now, if we're talking really lavish, no one beats the birthday parties thrown for the Sultan of Brunei's 10 children. Forget your standard clown, entertainment at these bashes is provided by the likes of Elton John.
While few people can match such extravagance, the world of children's parties is extremely competitive on any income. While Ms Mills should have enough money to put on a good bash, expectations will be high.
While few people can match such extravagance, the world of children's parties is extremely competitive on any income. While Ms Mills should have enough money to put on a good bash, expectations will be high.
If she wants to keep up with the Beckhams she'll be looking at a price tag of £10,000 for her daughter's next birthday. David and Victoria reportedly spent that much on eldest son Brooklyn's fifth birthday party.
If she wants to keep up with the Beckhams she'll be looking at a price tag of £10,000 for her daughter's next birthday. David and Victoria reportedly spent that much on eldest son Brooklyn's fifth birthday party.
Not the usual kids' entertainerEven that might be considered stingy in the US. One wealthy father in New York gave out goody bags containing gifts worth more than £5,000 to children at his daughter's 13th birthday, according to Birthdays Without Pressure.
Not the usual kids' entertainerEven that might be considered stingy in the US. One wealthy father in New York gave out goody bags containing gifts worth more than £5,000 to children at his daughter's 13th birthday, according to Birthdays Without Pressure.
Yes, things have got so bad some Americans have now formed action groups to campaign against the rising cost of such parties and things seem to be going the same way here.
Yes, things have got so bad some Americans have now formed action groups to campaign against the rising cost of such parties and things seem to be going the same way here.
"Parties have definitely got more competitive, you can't just have one at home any more and play pass the parcel," says a spokeswoman for Mystical Fairies, situated in the leafy - and wealthy - location of Hampstead in London.
"Parties have definitely got more competitive, you can't just have one at home any more and play pass the parcel," says a spokeswoman for Mystical Fairies, situated in the leafy - and wealthy - location of Hampstead in London.
The shop's fairy-themed events cost anything up to £542 and parents book up to six months in advance. The list of what is provided is long, but parents are always willing to pay more for something different.
The shop's fairy-themed events cost anything up to £542 and parents book up to six months in advance. The list of what is provided is long, but parents are always willing to pay more for something different.
"We do get ridiculously extravagant requests and we always do our best to accommodate," says the spokeswoman.
"We do get ridiculously extravagant requests and we always do our best to accommodate," says the spokeswoman.
Unfortunately, she is far too discreet to says what they are.
Unfortunately, she is far too discreet to says what they are.
TOYS
TOYS
An essential for any child. The average parent spends £461 a year on their offspring's toys and hobbies, according to LV. That's peanuts to parents with a bit more cash.
An essential for any child. The average parent spends £461 a year on their offspring's toys and hobbies, according to LV. That's peanuts to parents with a bit more cash.
Brooklyn Beckham got a life-size wooden fort for his fourth birthday. The cost is not known but you can pick up a wooden pirate playhouse for around £9,000 or a Victorian mansion playhouse for just over £10,000.
Brooklyn Beckham got a life-size wooden fort for his fourth birthday. The cost is not known but you can pick up a wooden pirate playhouse for around £9,000 or a Victorian mansion playhouse for just over £10,000.
Pedal cars cost serious moneyWhile the birthday parties thrown for the Sultan of Brunei's children are legendary, so are the presents they receive. He paid £150,000 for a specially-commissioned rocking horse carousel from Stevenson Brothers in Kent.
Pedal cars cost serious moneyWhile the birthday parties thrown for the Sultan of Brunei's children are legendary, so are the presents they receive. He paid £150,000 for a specially-commissioned rocking horse carousel from Stevenson Brothers in Kent.
Dubbed the most expensive toymakers in Britain, prices for their custom-made rocking horses and wooden pedal cars start from around £1,300. There's no shortage of customers, including Bruce Springsteen and the Queen.
Dubbed the most expensive toymakers in Britain, prices for their custom-made rocking horses and wooden pedal cars start from around £1,300. There's no shortage of customers, including Bruce Springsteen and the Queen.
"There is a real market for top end, hand-crafted toys," says Marc Stevenson, who runs the company with his brother Tony.
"There is a real market for top end, hand-crafted toys," says Marc Stevenson, who runs the company with his brother Tony.
"People want quality, they want one-offs and we can paint rocking horses to look like a child's own pony."
"People want quality, they want one-offs and we can paint rocking horses to look like a child's own pony."
And it seems youngsters themselves are becoming very choosey about what they want from an early age, according to consumer analysts Mintel.
And it seems youngsters themselves are becoming very choosey about what they want from an early age, according to consumer analysts Mintel.
It says children have an understanding of "brand awareness" by the age of two or three. Not good news for any parent - rich or not.
It says children have an understanding of "brand awareness" by the age of two or three. Not good news for any parent - rich or not.
TRAVEL
TRAVEL
If travelling B-class is not good enough for Ms Mills, then there's only one option.
If travelling B-class is not good enough for Ms Mills, then there's only one option.
On the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday she said she would stump up the extra cash needed to make sure her daughter travels A-class.
On the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday she said she would stump up the extra cash needed to make sure her daughter travels A-class.
No of this for BeatriceBut ensuring she turns left when she gets on the plane, and not right with the rest of us, comes at a price. At the age of four Beatrice will be more compact than the average adult, but she still needs a whole seat.
No of this for BeatriceBut ensuring she turns left when she gets on the plane, and not right with the rest of us, comes at a price. At the age of four Beatrice will be more compact than the average adult, but she still needs a whole seat.
On British Airways (BA) children aged between two and 12 have to pay between 60% and 80% of the price of an adult fare and there is no special treatment for those with a bit of cash.
On British Airways (BA) children aged between two and 12 have to pay between 60% and 80% of the price of an adult fare and there is no special treatment for those with a bit of cash.
"It's the same for First Class right down to economy," says a BA spokesman.
"It's the same for First Class right down to economy," says a BA spokesman.
So if Ms Mills felt like literally escaping to the other side of the world tomorrow to get away from the media furore surrounding her divorce, it would cost her roughly £2,000 at the very least to take her daughter to Auckland, New Zealand - and that's just one way.
So if Ms Mills felt like literally escaping to the other side of the world tomorrow to get away from the media furore surrounding her divorce, it would cost her roughly £2,000 at the very least to take her daughter to Auckland, New Zealand - and that's just one way.
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Below is a selection of your comments.
My heart bleeds for poor Ms Mills. I noted how she kept referring to the poor child a "my daughter" and not "our daughter" as though McCartney was never going to see the unfortunate infant again. She gets £24 million and £35,000, excluding school and childcare fees, to help with the kid's upkeep. I would even marry Sir Paul for £17,000 per day!Ian , Wirral
My heart bleeds for poor Ms Mills. I noted how she kept referring to the poor child a "my daughter" and not "our daughter" as though McCartney was never going to see the unfortunate infant again. She gets £24 million and £35,000, excluding school and childcare fees, to help with the kid's upkeep. I would even marry Sir Paul for £17,000 per day!Ian , Wirral
I would like to see her spend a month on what a single parent on benefits gets in this country. We are so brutally poor, and winging over thousands of pounds is just not on.Terry, England
I would like to see her spend a month on what a single parent on benefits gets in this country. We are so brutally poor, and winging over thousands of pounds is just not on.Terry, England
"Parties have definitely got more competitive, you can't just have one at home any more and play pass the parcel," says a spokeswoman for Mystical Fairies. She would say that wouldn't she, but normal parents can have parties at home for kids and have a lot of fun too!Susan, East Lothian
"Parties have definitely got more competitive, you can't just have one at home any more and play pass the parcel," says a spokeswoman for Mystical Fairies. She would say that wouldn't she, but normal parents can have parties at home for kids and have a lot of fun too!Susan, East Lothian
Forget Sport Relief or Comedy Relief, World Aid or Daffodil Day, after reading this article it seems that all efforts need to be consolidated into "Heather Mills Relief".Stephen Taylor, London
Forget Sport Relief or Comedy Relief, World Aid or Daffodil Day, after reading this article it seems that all efforts need to be consolidated into "Heather Mills Relief".Stephen Taylor, London
Snob. I don't think I can put it any more plainly. The rest of us barely get by on what we earn and our children have not suffered for it. I think this lady needs a wake up call. What's the difference between her child and other children? The only difference between so called "celebrity babies" and "normal" children is that the parents like to show off how much money they have - this does not constitute to being a good parent. All a child needs is food, clean clothes, education and lots of love. They're not going to bothered whether they travel first class or cattle class. They're not going to notice whether they are staying in a £50 or £1,000 a night hotel - it is not going to hurt them. All a child needs is lots of love, attention and fun, money can't buy any of these things. Tracy McLeod, Aberdeen.
Snob. I don't think I can put it any more plainly. The rest of us barely get by on what we earn and our children have not suffered for it. I think this lady needs a wake up call. What's the difference between her child and other children? The only difference between so called "celebrity babies" and "normal" children is that the parents like to show off how much money they have - this does not constitute to being a good parent. All a child needs is food, clean clothes, education and lots of love. They're not going to bothered whether they travel first class or cattle class. They're not going to notice whether they are staying in a £50 or £1,000 a night hotel - it is not going to hurt them. All a child needs is lots of love, attention and fun, money can't buy any of these things. Tracy McLeod, Aberdeen.
I think she should shut up moaning about what she got out of this, and think of what going in the world, all the poverty. As there far more people worst off than her. She need to get a real life.Diane Clark, Aldershot England
I think she should shut up moaning about what she got out of this, and think of what going in the world, all the poverty. As there far more people worst off than her. She need to get a real life.Diane Clark, Aldershot England
How is she expected to cope on £50,000 per month for herself and circa £3,000 per month for her daughter, especially when there's no mortgage or school fees to pay? Looks like poor old Heather will have to do her weekly shopping in Marks and Spencers rather than Harrods to economise from now on...Iain the Bison, Felixstowe
How is she expected to cope on £50,000 per month for herself and circa £3,000 per month for her daughter, especially when there's no mortgage or school fees to pay? Looks like poor old Heather will have to do her weekly shopping in Marks and Spencers rather than Harrods to economise from now on...Iain the Bison, Felixstowe
She ought to realise just how lucky she is and be happy with what she got- she could have got a lot more, should have received a lot less.She really does have an inflated opinion of herself, which can't possible be healthy for her daughter.Debbie, Newbury
She ought to realise just how lucky she is and be happy with what she got- she could have got a lot more, should have received a lot less.She really does have an inflated opinion of herself, which can't possible be healthy for her daughter.Debbie, Newbury
