This article was co-authored by Wits End Parenting and by How.com.vn staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Wits End Parenting is a parent-coaching practice based in Berkeley, California specializing in strong-willed, “spirited” children with impulsivity, emotional volatility, difficulty “listening,” defiance, and aggression. Wits End Parenting's counselors incorporate positive discipline that is tailored to each child’s temperament while also providing long-term results, freeing parents from the need to continually re-invent their discipline strategies.
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Having a baby is a major life event that brings excitement, love, stress, additional expenses, and quite a few restless nights. How do you know if you’re ready for all that change? While no one is ever 100 percent prepared to have a baby, there are still questions you should ask yourself and things you should consider to determine if you're ready enough. To help out, we’ve rounded up the top 10 questions to ask yourself to help you decide if you’re ready for a baby.
Things You Should Know
- Consider if you're prepared to sacrifice your time and freedom. Having a baby requires almost all of your focus and energy, but many people feel it's worth it.
- Make sure you can financially support a baby. On average, raising a child costs $13,000 a year without extra expenses.
- Think about your support system. Do you have a partner or family members who can help you raise a baby? Raising a baby is easier with help from others.
Steps
Plan your Pregnancy with this Expert Series
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Spend time around family members or friends with young children or babies to learn about the responsibilities of being a parent.[17]Thanks
- Take into account how you plan on getting pregnant. Will you be trying with a partner, finding a surrogate, using IVF, or adopting?Thanks
- Make a list of what you and your baby will need to be happy. This way, you can visually see the changes you’ll need to make and come up with a plan on how you’ll take care of yourself.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/holmen/services-and-treatments/prenatal-care/preparing-to-become-pregnant
- ↑ https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-and-birth/preparing-for-pregnancy/preparing-for-pregnancy-am-i-ready
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/ask-experts/im-15-years-old-i-want-to-have-a-baby-am-i-too-young-all-ive-ever-wanted-to-do-ever-since-i-wuz-a-kid-is-to-have-a-baby-im-finally-able-too-and-i-want-one-realy-bad-is-there-sometin-i-can-buy-t
- ↑ https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/01/13/cost-raising-child
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/health-insurance/average-childbirth-cost/
- ↑ https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-and-birth/preparing-for-pregnancy/preparing-for-pregnancy-am-i-ready
- ↑ https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/health/health2/aem-documents/family-health/improving-infant-outcomes/Am%20I%20Ready%20to%20Be%20a%20Dad-2018Jan.pdf
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2021/02/26/971811133/theres-never-a-right-time-for-a-baby-but-these-questions-can-help-you-decide
- ↑ https://www.loyolamedicine.org/about-us/blog/what-to-consider-when-starting-a-family
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-age-to-get-pregnant/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/preconception/planning.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pregnant-mental-health.html
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1884933/
- ↑ https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/pre-pregnancy-health/general/before-getting-pregnant/
- ↑ https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/pre-pregnancy-health/general/before-getting-pregnant/
- ↑ https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-and-birth/preparing-for-pregnancy/preparing-for-pregnancy-am-i-ready
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2021/02/26/971811133/theres-never-a-right-time-for-a-baby-but-these-questions-can-help-you-decide
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