If You Answer Yes To Most Of These Questions, You're Ready To Be A Mom

Am I ready to have a baby? It’s a question that many women ask themselves quite often. Sometimes, the question is ‘Am I ready to have another baby?’ No matter which question, the decision is still a major one to make, and not something you generally rush into.

For many of us, the questions concerning having a baby below will be quite obvious. For others, you might find these questions come as a surprise, as you may not have considered them before the presence of a baby in your life. Many of these questions are geared toward future moms, but it wouldn’t hurt for future dads to read and think about the questions. Raising children is not always easy, not always fun. For those ready to have kids, however, you'll find it is very, very worth it. Some of these questions, you will be asking yourself are: is this worth it, am I going to have perfect children and can I handle the challenges that come with raising children.

Whatever the answers may be, though, bringing a baby into this world is a major decision between two people, and if you are ready to be a mom, you should have no issue answering yes to many of these questions, as a baby becomes your entire life.

Question 1

Do you like kids?

Do you like Kids? Seems like a silly question, right? It’s not. I think some potential parents think of having a baby—cute and cuddly, doesn't move around much, makes minimal messes/sound/financial burden—and then are shocked when their kids grow up. Babies are not babies forever (sniff!). Infants grow into babies, babies turn into toddlers, toddlers become preschoolers, who become grade schoolers, who become teenagers, who become college students. In essence, you need to be prepared for all stages of life.

Question 2

Are you physically ready?

Am I physically ready? Doctors recommend that you achieve your ideal weight before trying to conceive. With a healthier weight, you are more likely to conceive and then lose the pregnancy weight after the baby is born. Are in you that range? It doesn’t mean to get ‘skinny’; it means to be at the recommended weight for your height and body type, which for some people might mean actually gaining weight than losing it, which means a little work on your end before the baby is conceived.

Question 3

Are you financially ready?

This is an important question to ask, especially in the recession. Babies cost money. Sure they’re cute and cuddly, but they use money faster than a shopaholic on Black Friday. Consider this: in the course of one day, a newborn may go through 15-20 diaper changes, use 30 wipes, need up to 3 outfits, drink 10 4oz. bottles of formula (if you’re not breastfeeding), not to mention shelter, warmth, laundry needs, water for baths. It certainly adds up, and that’s just for a newborn!

Question 4

Are you psychologically/emotionally ready?

Having a baby takes a toll on our emotional and psychological state of beings. Are you stable enough to handle the instability that often occurs when raising children? Of course, for women after a baby is born, there is potential PPD (postpartum depression), which can be treated with support, counseling, and possible medication, but there are other psychological disorders that can be triggered by having children. It isn't just all about the physical side of things, as you have to be prepared physically, but also mentally to carry a child.

Question 5

Are you willing to give up sleep?

Are you willing to give up pillow time for a a new baby? Once a woman is pregnant, she can kiss a great night’s rest goodbye (if you sleep well now, I don’t want to hear about it). Once the belly grows and the joints stretch, sleep becomes a very uncomfortable time. That’s not to mention the repeat visits to the bathroom at night. Once the baby arrives, you’ll be getting up in the middle of the night quite often for feedings and changing diapers.

Question 6

Are you ready to change nearly a million diapers?

Are you ready to get your hands dirty because your baby isn't going to change itself? Ew, I know. Babies, in their first few months, use close to 10 to 15 (or more) diapers a day. As they get older, that number decreases to about 5 diapers a day. It’s all a natural part of their bodily processes. Look at it this way: as long as it’s all regular and the right colors, it’s an indication that your baby is healthy.

Question 7

Are you ready to embrace the noise?

Do you enjoy your peace and quite alone time? Well, you probably won't get much of it. Babies make a lot of noise from the very first moment they enter this world. Your life may never be silent again. I don’t think prospective parents think about this aspect of parenting. It’s not that you won’t have a few moments of silence, because they do occur (occasionally…), but for the most part, babies coo, cry, grunt, giggle, cough, babble, burp, pass gas, scream, etc.

Question 8

Are you ready for baby gear and toys to take over your house and car?

Am I ready for baby gear and toys to take over my house and car? This happens, even to the most organized amongst us. For a child, you will probably havethese items: car seat, car seat base, bassinette, crib, pack-n-play, stroller, high chair, bouncy seat, swing, tummy-time mat, baby bathtub and a few toys. That's just at the time of birth. Fast forward a few years, you can put the baby gear into storage, and add larger toys with more pieces.

Question 9

Are you ready to love another human being more than yourself?

It really does boil down to that. Having a baby requires all of you, no matter how imperfect you are. You’ll learn if you are willing to be a great parent. Chances are you’ll find how easy it is to give up the quiet, space and time to your children. It’ll all return to you eventually, when they are ready to fly from the nest, but by then you’ll love the noise, cuddling and busyness that you will miss it.

Question 10

Are you comfortable with bodily fluids?

Does the sight, sound and smell of a person being sick make you start dry heaving yourself? Well, if it does, you may want to continue using birth control for a bit longer. Babies can not keep much in their system, or so it seems. They are constantly dirtying their diaper, and spitting out milk. People often marvel at how a little bitty baby can produce so much bodily fluids. You may find yourself changing a dirty diaper every half an hour, and the blowouts are not fun.

Question 11

Are you in a stable relationship with your partner?

Now, we want to take this one seriously. If you are in a relationship, whether boyfriend or girlfriend, common law or even married and are discussing the idea of having children, it is a good time to sit down and think about the status of your relationship. Not only if you two love each other, but how well do you work together? Couples need to be a team when they welcome a child, and they need to help each other out. Failure to do this can have some serious repercussions. OF course there are single moms that rock it! But it always helps to have some help.

Question 12

Are you okay with giving up some of your grooming routines?

If you really care about how you look every day, you may want to rethink the baby. Not only do babies take up a lot of your time, but they take up a lot of your energy. There will be times where you have not showered in days, and you just don’t care, because you do not have a single ounce of energy left. Dry shampoo and deodorants will become your best friend, so stock up. If you are the type of person, who needs their shower every morning, and then time to perfectly do their hair and make-up, I am sorry to break it to you, then now is not the right time, because that will not happen

Question 13

Do you have a high pain tolerance?

Childbirth hurts a lot.There are pain medications available to you when you are delivering your baby, but you should know that they do not always work the way you want them too. If you are the type of person who can’t even handle the pain of a paper cut, then you probably want to hold off on having a baby. Once you get pregnant, there is no going back, and the big show at the end will happen whether you like it or not.

Question 14

Do you get along with your in-laws?

If this is their first grandchild, then expect them to be around more. That is because they are excited, and they want to be around the new baby. You have to be prepared for their advice to you and their presence. If you are not, then it is likely to be a time filled with tension and stress, something no new mother needs in her life. But it also could be good to embrace the extra help when it's available. We are not saying it is a must, but boy does it help.

Question 15

Are you willing to give up food?

Who doesn’t like food, right? If you are someone who loves food, and the act of eating, then it may not be the right time to have a baby. Unless you are prepared to give up all of that. Some (with no children) wonder how it could ever become impossible to eat when a baby comes around. The truth is, it does. Even if you do find time to eat, it is not going to be something good as you'll constantly be on the move with them.

Question 16

Are you okay with changing up your nightly routine?

Do you like the night life? Do you enjoy the Friday and Saturday nights with your significant other, just galivanting all over the town? Well, if you answer yes, then a baby is definitely going to get in the way of that. Once the baby comes along, date night goes out the window! We all know how important it is to get away and reconnect with your partner, but it is not something that happens often, and there is not much you can do about it.

Question 17

Do you love children's movies?

Do you hate children's movies? Do you cringe when you see or think about the types of programming for children these days? Well, if the sound of Barney’s theme song horrifies you, then it may be time to wait. Newborns do not watch much TV, but once they enter toddlerhood and childhood, the TV can become a great tool. It can be great for those 5 minutes mom needs to go to the bathroom, or make a nutritious dinner for once. Honestly, you'll have days where you will just want to scream for your kids to 'LET IT GO'!

Question 18

Are you willing to give up freedom?

It is a very personal decision to have a baby, and no one should tell anyone when they should (or shouldn’t) have children. Please don’t be confused, I am not telling you not to have children, just merely giving you some tips on what is to come. Do you like being free? You know, that ability to just do whatever you want, whenever you want? Who doesn’t? If you value your freedom more than anything, now is not the right time to start a family.

Question 19

Can you recognize where your parents succeeded and failed, and can you act based on that?

It's extremely important to spend time reflecting on your own upbringing before you raise another person. While there is no instruction manual for raising a child, if you grew up with your parents, then you at least have a road map to show you what not to do. Don't be afraid to ask them questions because, well, they raised you and you're about to make that decision, so go get as much advice as you can from someone who knows a thing or two about children.

Question 20

Are you ready to buy a lot of clothing?

Do you love the reality of parenting, or the idea of buying baby clothes?Raising a child entails much more than buying your kid those cute mini-Converse sneakers at Target. As fun as it is to shop for baby clothes, make sure you are excited about EVERYTHING that comes with parenting someone throughout an entire life - not just the bells and whistles that come with infancy. Babies need all types of clothing for many different occassions and it can become very expensive.

Question 21

WIll you love your child for who they are?

If you aren't capable of supporting and loving a child regardless of their gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, ability, etc., then you might not be ready to become a parent. But if you are the type of person who will love and empower your child for existing truthfully as a beautiful human being, then please use your powers to nurture a little kid because the world needs more people like you and your child is going to learn plenty of things from you, so make it good things, not bad.

Question 22

If you are doing this solo, do you have enough support?

Being a single parent is not easy. If you don’t have a partner, do you have other willing support people in your life? It’s crucial to the well-being of you and your child that there is someone who is a constant source of love and attention and help. That someone can be a grandparent, a best friend, or another single parent you team up with. What matters is that she or he is a person who is willing to be called at 3 a.m. if there is an emergency and is able to give you an hour or two off if you desperately need a nap or have to go to an appointment without taking junior or juniorette along for the ride.

Question 23

Have you chosen the right hospital to have your baby?

Have you chosen the right hospital to have your baby? In most cases, you'll deliver your baby at the hospital where your healthcare provider has admitting privileges. So keep in mind that when you choose a doctor or midwife, you'll likely be choosing the place where you'll give birth. It's worth doing some research to make sure the hospital's policies and approach to birth fit your needs. You also want to make sure your hospital is accessable to you, in case you live in a busy community.

Question 24

Have you chosen the decor for your nursery?

You’ve probably already been eyeing a glider — after all, besides the crib and the changing table, there’s probably not another piece of nursery furniture you and your baby will get as much use out of. It’s the perfect chair for feeding and cuddling your newborn — and fast-forward, for a million-and-one magical Mommy-and-me moments. But while you’re mulling over which glider to buy (or borrow), don’t forget to consider these often overlooked mom-station musts: a side table and a small lamp

Question 25

Have you chosen the right stroller?

If you’re hoping to invest in one stroller that’ll wheel your baby right through the toddler years, look no further than a full-size stroller. Bigger, sturdier and usually more durable, these strollers are the standard option. Plus, many models come with a full range of features that not only make baby’s ride a joy, but also make your life easier. But one-size doesn't fit all, so make sure your baby is secure, especially if that stroller turns into a car seat.

Question 26

Have you chosen a name for your future baby?

"What's in a name?" Shakespear asked. Well, everything. Choosing a baby name may seem difficult. After all, it's a decision that will stick with your little one for their whole lives. The good news is that you have 9 months to decide. Whether you’re looking for a classic baby name or one that’s more unique, it is a very personal and individual choice. It's with them forever, so make sure it works not only when they are a few months old, but also when they are looking for work later in life.

Question 27

Are you ready to stay home with your sick child?

When you have a kid in daycare or school, fall and winter can be a never-ending germ fest. Just as your child gets over one bout of illness — bam! — they catch another (and inevitably, so do you, but somehow 10 times worse). And when it seems that a runny nose and cough are just part of your kid's life this winter, much like the mittens they'll eventually lose and the boots they always manage to kick off in the car, it can be hard to know at what point they're sick enough to stay home.

Question 28

Are you ready for lots of laundry?

Your laundry habits can change a lot with a new baby. You wash more loads and you often think more carefully of the chemicals you are using. You might debate whether to wash your baby’s clothes with the rest of the family’s and if you should wash all of those brand new clothes before your baby wears them.Here are some ways to make your laundry habits healthier (and greener): make sure you have a full load, choose a laundry detergent for sensitive skin and consider cold wash. These methods to doing lots of laundry while having kids can be a financial saver.

Question 29

Have you decided if you will breast feed your baby?

Breast milk is a complete food. It contains at least 400 nutrients, as well as hormones and disease-fighting compounds, that aren't present in formula. It's nutritional make-up even adjusts to your baby's needs as she grows or when she is ill. Feeding your baby only breast milk for up to six months (exclusive breastfeeding) is particularly good for her. It can even improve your baby's cognitive development. Some parents decide otherwise, but it's a decision new mothers will need to make right away.

Question 30

Are you ready to give up your personal space?

Do you need your space? Do you not like being touched all the time? Then perhaps being a parent isn't for you. Children need to feel you often. Then like to be close to mom. Hugs and cuddles make them feel warm and happy and your baby may cry often if they aren't near you. So be ready to have them wanting to be picked up and held at any moment, even when you need five minutes to yourself or are trying to finish up some work.

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