“...you need a licence to drive, heck, you need a licence to fish...but they’ll let any @#*! be...
TRANSCRIPT
“...you need a licence to drive, heck, you need a licence to fish...but they’ll let any @#*! be a parent”.
Ready for Parenthood?
How do you know when you’re ready?Prospective parents should really ask themselves these
questions:
EMOTIONAL MATURITYAre we willing and able to take responsibility for a
child?
How realistic are our expectations of parenthood?
Do we have a support system in place to help out?
What is our parenting partnership going to look like?
Can we handle the pressures involved?
How stable is our relationship?
DESIRE...
Do we really want to have a child?
Are our reasons for wanting a child based on reality or fantasy? On-giving or selfishness?
Health Considerations...
Are we both healthy enough to meet the demands of caring for a child?
Is the prospective mother older than sixteen? Younger than thirty-five? If not, what are the risks?
Is there a possibility of an inherited disorder? What are the risks? How can we find out more information?
Financial Considerations...
How much will prenatal care and the birth cost? Supplies for the baby?
What other expenses can we expect in the short & long term?
Do we have a spending plan? (5yr, 10yr, 20yr plan) How does raising a child fit into it?
Are we willing to do without some things if necessary, in order to provide for our child’s needs.
What other questions would you add to this list?
3 Tasks of ParentingNURTURING:
Love
Support
Attention
Encouragement
GUIDANCE:
Appropriate limits
Self-control
Positive values
Moral standards
PHYSICAL CARE:Food & ClothingExercise & RestA Safe HomeHealth Care
How Parenthood Affects LifestyleAdditional household chores
Limits on personal freedom
Career decisions – limitations
Emotional conflicts
Money problems
Additional space requirements
Difficulty planning ahead/ spontaneity
Drain on time & energy
Preparation for these changes helps...
Discussing the changes together IN ADVANCE
Reading books, articles, websites on parenting skills, child development and responsibilities
Talking with experienced family members and friends
Taking parenting or child care class at your community recreational center
Babysit for a weekend to get a real understanding of the demands involved
Have a clear understanding of what your partner “brings from his/her past”....
What parents bring from their past...Religious beliefs (Christenings, Baptisms, Bah Mitzvahs, etc)
Traditions (Who will you spend Xmas with? Etc)
Family backgrounds
Parenting styles (authoritative, democratic, permissive)
Gender Roles
Household expectations (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc) and the division of duties
Experience: babysitting, coaching, lack of hands-on experience
Financial expectations :what’s important to you, your partner