It’s on the rare side to find someone who is really ready to have a baby. Navigating parenthood will take twists and turns, and you may have to use trial and error to determine what works. Despite that, there are ways to prepare yourself financially, mentally, and physically. So before you plunge into pregnancy, ask yourself the following questions.
Are You Financially Prepared?
Baby supplies are expensive, especially diapers and formula. And when your baby starts to eat real food, it’s another mouth to feed! It’s also another person to take care of, which means doctors’ visits, medicine, health insurance, and more. The expenses don’t stop there. You need to think about entertaining, furniture like cribs, dressers, and diaper stations, and accessories like strollers, high chairs, and play mats. Every little item adds up – even the socks!
Is Your Lifestyle Baby-Friendly?
If you’re used to staying up late and sleeping in, and want to keep it that way, it may not be the right time to have a baby. These tiny humans sleep when they want, so you need to be willing to accommodate their needs – and forget about your own for quite some time. That means no more last-minute vacations and late-night partying. If you’re not ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes, you might want to think twice about getting pregnant right now.
Do You Live in an Area Suitable for Raising a Child?
The first thing you should consider when answering this question is your living space. Is there enough room for a baby to live comfortably? You also have to consider things like whether your neighborhood is safe for children, the quality of the local schools, and the prevalence of green spaces and parks.
How Do You Plan to Handle New Responsibilities?
Operating a household is challenging, even without a baby. You already have numerous chores: taking out the trash, doing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, and the piles of laundry that never seem to go away! Now, let’s throw a baby into the mix. You still have all of those chores listed – plus so much more. How are you and your partner going to divide and conquer these tasks? And don’t forget to consider who’s going to do the bulk of the work the next day when one parent stayed up all night trying to rock the little one to sleep!
Can You GiveUp Alcohol, Cigarettes, Caffeine, etc.?
When you’re pregnant, there are many things to avoid! Avoid alcohol. Put the cigarettes away (for good, please!). Keep caffeine consumption to under 200 milligrams a day. And check with your doc about other food restrictions, such as runny eggs, raw meats and sushi.
Have You Considered Your Parenting Styles?
If you don’t agree with your partner about how you will parent, you risk numerous arguments in the future. Of course, not all parenting style topics need to be addressed before the baby comes; some things will have to be handled on the spot. But you will want to consider issues like faith, punishment, and rewards. There are a million different routes to take, so it’s important to get these conversations out in the open before welcoming a baby.