How do you know if you’re ready to have a baby? Based on my experience helping couples and families in my practice, here are 3 key signs you’re ready to be a parent.
1. You’re ready to sacrifice
You’re not just ready to have a baby. You’re ready to invest in something that’s not you. You’re okay to give up intimacy with your partner for a little while. You’re ready to lose sleep and some of your freedom. For women, you’re ready to experience the physical trauma of childbirth.
2. You’re ready to be wholly responsible for another life
Your child will be the only thing in your life you can’t quit. You can quit a lot of other things in your life, but your responsibility for your child is constant. Parenting is a responsibility 100 percent of the time. As a parent, you’re responsible for nourishing your child’s physical and personal growth. When you think about being a mother or father, you’re ready to take on the responsibility to grow your child and help them lead a happy, healthy and productive life.
3. You’re confident in your relationship and your partner’s ability to parent
Do you have faith that your partner will be a good parent? Do you have faith that you’ll want to be with your partner for the rest of your life? Are you okay with your partner being in your life, in some capacity, for the rest of your life? When you’re a parent, you will remain connected to your partner if the two of you were to divorce. Are you confident in your partner’s ability to be a good co-parent? Will your partner help change diapers? Will they stay up for you if you need to catch up on sleep?
If you’ve been thinking about having a baby, ask yourself these questions and take inventory of your relationship. If you’re truly ready to be a parent, you’re also ready to be with your partner for the rest of your life. Really think about the stability of your relationship if you’re considering parenthood. Having a solid, supportive relationship with your partner – one that you’re comfortable bringing a vulnerable human being into – is absolutely vital to your readiness to be a parent.
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