A strange dichotomy exists between children and money. Really, you know this going in. Literally and figuratively.

Children are expensive. Whether it's clothes, formula, bottles, nappies, wipes, or anything for babies. Toys, school trips, more clothes, shoes … and the shoes you need to buy. Birthdays and Christmases, the little gifts, rewards, ice creams, and souvenir shop visits on days out. Because, let's be honest, we all know each child gets an ice cream and a souvenir when they go somewhere. It's the law.

Then you have the gadgets, social pressures, clubs, and activities, without even considering the cost of groceries, household bills, and the inevitable lost income, whether it's from extended parental leave or just days off due to sickness and other child-centred appointments.

To put it simply. Kids drain your bank account.

Yet money remains a necessity in life. Having kids means developing strong money management skills, because everything costs a bloody fortune, and the price tags are only ever going one way.

Don't worry. I constantly have to count the pennies and fret over the rapidly dwindling number my online banking shows me every day. But, after a while, you get used to it. It's scary, I won't lie. But generally, it's manageable. With the right combination of parenting tips and coping strategies, you can manage your money and the mess it makes.

The posts here are all tailored to help show you how to survive financially without feeling like a complete failure.

We're talking about budget tips that actually work and cheap wins that don't make you look tight. An important lesson is also understanding how to say NO without the guilt trip.

We are all walking the financial tightrope. You're not alone, and when all is said and done, you will see that it's not the cost that children care about. It's the time and the memories they carry with them.