There is a season in a person's life where they feel the need to nurture and become caretakers. Many people process this in different ways such as: indulging in a hobby, or career. Others may find the idea of a pet a more favorable solution and for others the idea of "Baby fever" may come knocking at your door. Perhaps you are walking around Target on a Saturday afternoon and you happen to stumble upon the baby section. You look at all the baby clothes and tiny little shoes and just suddenly acquire the intense desire to have a baby. Or Maybe all your friends and people around you are having babies and you feel left out and pressured into having one of your own. Yes, it can happen! But before you become a parent, there are many things to consider. Some of those things may seem logical and others a bit irrational, but you may want to consider them any way.
Logical Things that are Expected
A Strong Support Network - These are the people who care about you and that are willing to be there for you. Please value and treasure those who are willing to provide help and assistance because it takes a village to raise a child. Just getting advice and learning from others' experiences can make you feel more confident and have a more positive outlook towards parenting.
You Will Need To Provide - Many can agree with me on this one, having a child is expensive. Providing for milk, diapers and clothes is expensive but add to that car seats, strollers, cribs, blankets and many other things. Expenses pile up and continue to grow as your child gets older. Even with just the bare necessities it can be challenging to have enough for yourself none the less our little best friends who are broke all the time and require VIP treatment. Providing can also entail unconditional love and support, a helping hand and most importantly your time.
A Stable Housing Situation - I can't stress this enough having a place to live before planning to get pregnant is key. Children thrive with stability. So having your own place or a place you share with someone that cares for you is very important. Children require a lot of space to play and explore and limited spaces or space where children are not welcomed may hinder their social interactions and development.
Irrational Things That May Be Unexpected
Say Goodbye to a Good Night Sleep - If this is a deal breaker make sure you take it into account. During the first few years of a child's life you will have to entertain the idea of interrupted sleep. From the moment you leave the hospital you are required to do feedings every 2 to 3 hours just to ensure they are putting on weight and flush the jaundice. As they get older sleep can get better if you implement a night time routine. This can take some getting use to but setting bedtimes and being persistent helps a lot.
Say Goodbye To A Perfect Body - This one is mostly for the mothers. Yes you can loose the weight and regain confidence in your body. However, you will have to get use to the idea that your breast may be a bit saggy and the elasticity in your skin may really take a toll. Stretch marks are also a common and even your feet growing a few inches may be some of the things you encounter. But don't worry even when you don't have the perfect body and you're looking like a hot mess; I can promise you this, even with you looking like a hot mess you are the best hot mess your child will ever need.
Say Goodbye To Personal Space- Children will deny you of your right to personal space. As babies you will be all over them and as they get older that truly will never go away. From cooking, cleaning, working or simply just using the toilet, Children will not understand the concept of personal space. You will always have best buddies that are willing to go with you to end of the world.
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