Deciding to have children is one of the biggest decisions we’ll make in our lives. You may be at a time in your life when everyone is (rudely) asking “when are you going to have a baby?!”. However, pressure from family or friends should never be allowed to rush you into such a big life decision. You and your partner are the only people who can know when you’re ready for a baby. You may never feel completely ready for such a big life change, so this list tells you if, generally speaking, you might be ready for a baby. Only you can know your own head and heart!
You feel secure in your relationship
Babies naturally bring a lot of stress. It’s helpful to know that the person you’re taking this journey with is going to support you and your baby, no matter what. Communication, understanding and mutual respect are a recipe for a great parenting team!
You and your partner have discussed children
It’s important that you and your partner are on similar wavelengths when it comes to becoming parents. If your timelines aren’t matching up then you have a lot of talking to do before either party gets their hopes up and ends up feeling disappointed.
You have some room in your finances
Babies add another layer of expenses to your life, which your bank account needs to be ready for. However, there’s plenty of ways to save money if you think outside the box. Read our blog post about How To Save Money When You Have A Baby.
You’re ready to welcome change
Your transition into parenthood means that most things in your life will change to some extent. If you’re feeling ready for a baby, you’ll welcome the idea of swapping nights out for nights in snuggling your baby.
You have good coping mechanisms for stress
As you’ve probably heard, kids are stressful. This is why it’s important to develop some great coping mechanisms for stress, so your mind has a better chance of managing the added stress from a baby. Whether it’s mindfulness, exercise, or any other stress-relieving activity, create your own strategy which helps you deal with stressful situations. Tackling your stress now will pay off later.
You’re okay with asking others for help
It takes a village, as they say. Being comfortable with asking for help will save you a lot of heartaches during parenthood. Plus, being okay with asking family and friends to babysit means you can keep doing the fun things you love. Remember, self-care is not selfish!
You have realistic expectations of yourself
Embarking on the journey into parenthood brings a host of unexpected twists and turns. In order to keep yourself grounded, you’ll need to leave your ideas of perfection at the door. Accept that you are a work-in-progress, that you’re doing your best and your kids love you even if you’re nowhere near “perfect”.
You’re ready for the not-so-cute stuff
When you’re not a parent, it’s easy to forget what goes on behind a baby’s cute facade! We see them on Instagram smiling, we see them at parties dressed in adorable outfits, they look so perfect and innocent. But, we didn’t see the poo explosion they had on the way out the door this morning or the sleepless night from teething. Raising a child is a rollercoaster of emotions, and it’s important that you’re ready for the lows. There will be stress, worry and tears, but there will also be joy, pride and laughter.
Do you think you’re ready? Sometimes you just have to say “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be” and dive in!
