Having children is a transformative event that creates many changes in lifestyle.
The moment that little child takes its first breath, your role suddenly changes to that of a parent. Plenty of other responsibilities begin to pile up to those you already have.
But what do you do if you are still trying to find a balance between your career and life?
Before you suddenly find yourself thrown in the frontlines of parenting, you need to ask yourself if you are ready for a baby. It is no doubt that being a parent is one of the most rewarding things in life. However, it bears great responsibility that you need to prepare for.
If you are still on the fence about whether you should have a baby, here are some surefire signs that it is a venture you are not ready to pursue.
You Have Relationship Problems
No relationship is ever perfect. There are times that you go through rough patches, and you do not want anything to do with your partner. While various options can save your relationship, having a baby is not the answer. Bringing a kid into an unstable relationship may hurt both you and the child.
What if your partner decides to end the relationship? You may end up choosing between raising the child on your own or even the toughest of decisions to explore surgical abortion vs medical abortion. You should only think about having a child if you have a healthy, stable relationship.
You Are Constantly Travelling
If you enjoy a globe-trotting lifestyle and have no plans to put a stop to it anytime soon, then you should reconsider getting a child.
Small children are not the best travel companions you can want to have. While you can have one that hardly cries in public, they are prone to falling sick due to the numerous germs and diseases around us.
It is okay to be selfish and travel the world as much as you want. You can settle down later on and make a better parent down the road.
You Are Not Financially Ready
Your financial status is an important aspect to consider when making plans for having a child.
Can you meet the added expense comfortably? You do not have to be rich to raise a kid. However, you have to be willing to give up some of your comforts to ensure that you can raise your child without any financial strains.
According to a report by CNBC, you spend about $10,000 per year to take care of a child. The amount keeps increasing as the child grows. Before you can think about getting a child, you should first ensure that you can raise it.
Summing Up
Having a kid throws a serious wrench in your lifestyle. If you are not ready to make a major change in your life, you should not bring a child into your life.
No reset button can return you to when you did not have a child. But how do you know if you are ready? After assessing yourself and seeing if any of the points above speak to you, you should make your decision. If they do, you are not ready to begin a life of parenthood.