HPC Personal Readiness in Parenting.txt

Personal Readiness Choosing to Parent: Wrong Reasons To prove adulthood To please someone else For respect and status To escape a situation Because society expects it To save a relationship To be like “everyone” else Readiness Matters The odds for success are higher when a couple is ready for the re...

Personal Readiness Choosing to Parent: Wrong Reasons To prove adulthood To please someone else For respect and status To escape a situation Because society expects it To save a relationship To be like “everyone” else Readiness Matters The odds for success are higher when a couple is ready for the responsibility of having children. The job will be less frustrating and more rewarding. Maturity Psychological Maturity: This maturity is reached when a person has moved to a higher development of the mind and emotions. Possible qualities: responsibility, pride, respect, empathy, commitment, confidence, self-motivation, decision-making skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, self-sufficiency, emotional control, a positive outlook Maturity (cont’d) Physical Maturity: A female will not be able to handle a pregnancy unless her body is physically mature and has reached the proper stage of physical growth and development. This increases a mother’s chance for a safe and healthy pregnancy Health Certain behaviours like diet and sleep affect the developing baby. Some medical conditions like an eating disorder, diabetes, kidney disease or an STI can affect or be affected by a pregnancy. Some disorders can be inherited. Age poses some health risks too, as do alcohol, drug or tobacco use. Condition of the Relationship Parenthood (ideally) should be the outcome of a satisfying, comfortable, respectful and stable relationship. The couple should use positive methods for resolving conflict and share a common philosophy about having and raising children. Lifestyle Considerations Social life is reduced significantly because of caring for a baby. It may make travel difficult, and interests and activities must be altered or limited to concentrate on raising a child. Goals Will plans for education and/or career have to be sacrificed or changed? Will other goals like buying a car, living independently or building a savings account have to be put off? Financial Contributions Areas that should be explored when assessing financial readiness for children are: Steady source of income Money allocated for savings Costs of pregnancy, birth and providing for a child Caregivers for the child Returning to the workforce Size of living quarters