When people decide to have children, for some the path is clear and exciting, whereas for others it can seem daunting and confusing. There are many factors in a person’s life to evaluate before embarking on such a journey, as having children is a life-changing experience. This is why you must take time to think about whether you are ready to have children, and if they are something you would like to have.
To help you decide if you are ready for this commitment, here are some of the top things that people often consider.
#1 Responsibility
Having children is a huge responsibility that you will take on when you become a parent, so you must understand just how much your life will change. When you have children, you will have to make them and their well-being your priority. You will have a human being to look after, who when they are first born, will need feeding regularly, changing, and lots of attention. As they get older, you will have to help them develop and teach them to write, read and participate in society.
#2 Time
Whether or not you are a stay-at-home parent a child will take up a lot of your time, especially as a newborn. Most of this will occur in the first few years of the child’s life, as they will be fully dependent on you for things like feeding, changing, bathing, and carrying around. As they grow older the time required to look after them will reduce, but you will always be their parent and therefore likely they will often come to you for help, support and guidance.
#3 Money
Like everything in life, a child will cost you money. Therefore, you mustn’t put yourself, or your child into financial difficulty. A few examples of what you will have to buy are extra food, medicines, baby equipment, toys, clothes, activities, transport, and school. Although there is some financial support available, the family often helps and you can look into hand-me-downs to help aid your situation, it is best not to rely on these options and to just ensure you are stable financially.
#4 Are you just ticking a box?
Society and social pressures set many expectations and “deadlines” for us to reach by certain ages, such as having a good career, being in a healthy relationship, getting married, and having kids. It is important that you choose all of these decisions wisely and truthfully for yourself, and not just because of what others think of you. A child should be something you want, and not just something you are doing to tick a box.
#5 Your relationship
Becoming a parent will change many aspects of a person’s life, and it is important to build on a strong foundation. While no one can predict the future and there is no such thing as a “perfect relationship”, a child will bring new dynamics into your family and life. You and your partner must communicate with each other and both recognize this decision will change both of your life’s in many ways.
Having children is a big responsibility, and there are many things that you have to consider when making your decision. It is also important to know that there is no pressure to have children, and it is not always something that everyone wants. If this is the case, you can opt to have the vasectomy procedure.
Make sure you think about everything you need to before you decide.
