For many people, becoming a parent is something that’s on the cards in the future. But many people go into the process without being fully prepared for what’s about to happen. Whilst it can be an incredibly happy time and there’s no feeling better than welcoming your own little bundle of joy into the world, it will completely change everything.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to know what’s ahead of you – yes, it’s a learning curve, but it’s worth going into the process with the knowledge that you need. From reading baby books to scouring the internet, there are many different resources that are invaluable.
To give you a headstart, however, here are the top 5 things you must consider before taking the leap and planning for a baby – whether it’s your first, second or third baby!
Expect Little Free Time
Becoming a parent is a huge responsibility. You will spend your time changing diapers, putting them to sleep, feeding them etc. leaving you with little free time to spend with your partner. Now, when the baby is a little older, you can leave them with a loved one whilst you and your partner go on a date night– this is essential to maintaining a stronger relationship in the long term.
You must, however, be prepared for how the dynamic will change when your baby comes along – without the vision that everything within the home will stay the same.
What Your Parenting Style Will Be
If it’s your first baby, it’s good to think about the type of parenting style you will use with them. Now, everyone wants to be the perfect parent, but everyone makes little mistakes throughout the process – so it’s important that you’re not too hard on yourself.
Think about your own parents – where they too strict? How did you feel about them when you were younger? Once you’ve answered these questions, it will become clearer as to how you will raise your baby. Just make sure that you and your partner are on the same page with this.
The Responsibility
Are you ready for the baby? As aforementioned, they are a huge responsibility so it’s not a decision that you should take lightly. You should sit down with your partner and family and talk it through before diving straight into the commitment.
Some people will have a baby before marriage or straight after marriage, whereas some will wait several years – everyone is different, so don’t feel as though you must have a baby straight away if you’re not ready for it.
The Cost
Babies are expensive – from redecorating the house so that it’s baby proof, to buying their crib, bottles, diapers and more, there are so many things you need to purchase for a newborn – not to mention the cost of the birth. Therefore, it’s vital that you budget out these costs and ensure that you have the finances to cover it.
Your Age
Unfortunately, as women get older, the possibility of having children decreases. Which is why it’s so important to pay attention to your body clock. If you want a baby, try not to leave it until you’re in your 40’s. Having said that, there are ways and means of having a baby later on in life – from freezing eggs to surrogacy and adoption.Apart from age, there are other blockers that might make you feel as though you can never have children – e.g if you have a condition such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). There are ways that you can still have children though – such as through IVF offered by many institutions across the country, such as advancedfertility.com.
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