Are You Ready for a Baby?

Have you been thinking about having a baby, but you don’t know if you are ready? Here are some signs that you may be ready for that next big step in life.

Baby Lust

Some of your friends are pregnant and you continuously notice babies and pregnant ladies everywhere. You can’t help but smile when you see a little chubby baby wrapped in his mamma’s arms. You might want to constantly cuddle and hold a family member’s baby. Are you in love with that new baby smell? Then you might just have a case of baby lust!

Finances for Baby

If you think babies are cheap, well, let’s just say they are the complete opposite! You should really consider putting off bringing a new baby to the world if you don’t have the dough. You don’t need to be rich, but you shouldn’t be living month to month, and your debt should be under control. Take a look at the costs of formula, diapers, baby clothes, and health insurance. Do you think you can afford it? Will it put a strain on your life?

Caretaker for Baby

Money is necessary when you are having a baby, but you will also need to have a caretaker. Although each cuddle and hug will be treasured, your little bundle of joy will need care and supervision day and night. Between changing diapers, feeding, bathing, and simply holding them, your little one will be physically and mentally wearing you down. You should have someone else who will help you after your baby is born.

Marriage and Love

It isn’t enough to just be married. You need to be in love and in a stable relationship. You should have already enjoyed your time together and your honeymoon phase. You should already be used to life together and confident that your relationship is going to work out. Couples too often bring babies into the world too soon. Eventually they fight, get divorced, then the children are the innocent victims in the end. Reflect on your marriage status before having a baby!

Healthy and Happy

Have you and your spouse had a checkup lately? It is very important for you both to be healthy, especially the woman, since she will be carrying the baby. Invest in ovulation kits to determine the best time to try to conceive. Some couples even undergo genetics testing to determine if their children have a chance of inheriting genetic diseases. Be sure to take prenatal vitamins as soon as you decide you are going to try to conceive.

Parent’s Make Sacrifices

Once the baby arrives, forget about bar hopping, long, hot baths, or sleeping in. Your lifestyle will change and you will have to make sacrifices. You will most likely be a homebody for a while and your child will be your number one priority. Your needs will become secondary and you will need to have the willingness to go through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and recovery. Think on the positive side, because you will have a little bundle of joy to spend all of your time with!

Talk With Your Spouse

Discuss your baby thoughts with your spouse. You need to have the same thoughts or be willing to consider your spouse’s position. You both must want to have a child and be willing to work together to make the best of the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and parenting of the child. You must both be committed to having a baby.

Do Consider Your Careers

Although your twenties are the best time for making babies, it can interfere with very important career developments. The good news is it ISN’T impossible to have a career and a baby at the same time. It is more often than not that women go to work shortly after having their babies. A rising number of women are completely putting off having babies to focus on their work, therefore, raising the rate of older women becoming parents.

Sum It Up: Are You Ready?

Let’s review how much you and your spouse need to consider before choosing to have a baby:

·         Do you notice every baby and pregnant women, and have the desire to hold one?

·         You don’t need to be rich, but you do need money if you plan to have a baby.

·         Be sure to consider who can help you after you have a baby, because a baby needs care around the clock.

·         Don’t have a baby unless you and your spouse both want one, and your relationship is loving and in good status.

·         Get checkups and be in good health before trying to conceive.

·         Know that you will have to make sacrifices. Life will no longer be about your wants and needs, but mostly about your baby.

·         Make certain it is a good time to have a baby and do consider your career.