Our minds naturally begin to race and the thoughts are...house, school, timing, finances, and more. The general consensus of our family and friends are "you will never be ready" and "you'll never have the money because kids are just expensive", but for us it’s more than that. Husbands coming from different backgrounds play a big part in the picture. How are we gonna raise our kids? Will we use corporal punishment or time out? Who will be the disciplinarian? and most importantly how will we keep our relationship alive and well and bring in a child who will most definitely rule our lives for the first 3 years...
Below is a list of some of the things that we’ve considered. They may or may not be at the top of or on your list of priorities at all, but just something to think about.
- Career- Are you and your spouse in a position that you’re comfortable with? Do you get maternity/paternity leave? Does your job involve travel?
- Family- What will be the level of involvement of your immediate family? When will you visit them or they visit you?
- Support system- Do you have friends or family nearby or a phone call away?
- Finances- Are you currently living paycheck to paycheck? Where will the money for the incessant expenses come from for this additional family member?
- Location, Location, Location- Where will you live? Do you have enough space? What’s the proximity of child care to your home and job? What are the schools and daycares like in your area?
- Religion and values- Do you agree on what religion to raise your child under? Do you share values and beliefs about breastfeeding, discipline, education?