How Can I Tell if I’m Ready to Have a Baby?

When will I be ready to have a baby? Someone once told that if I am waiting until I have the perfect job, a bulging bank account and a home without mortgage - I may never have a child. The facts are that life rarely dishes up perfection and just because my circumstances are somewhat less than optimal, there is no real reason why I should deprive myself of the joys of motherhood.

This brings me to ask what the basics may actually be and how to know if I am ready to be a parent. 

1) How much does it cost to have a baby? Babies are expensive. You hear that all the time. We will have to change our spending and savings habits. What used to be money I spent on myself on shoes and designer handbags will now be money I spend on diapers, dentist and education. Am I ready to be that selfless? The money I spend on food, clothing and shelter will double as soon as I give birth.


There is an old saying - "Don't wait till you can 'afford' a baby because the day will never come." Honestly I think this is true because no matter how much money we make, we will always find ways to spend it. I have been doing some research...A baby will go through an average of 2000 diapers before they are potty trained. There is also the expense of clothing, toys. bath products, baby food, bottles, formula, nursing pads, strollers, car seats, beds and other more essentials. On top of that there is also the cost of the needs for the the mother (well..me) while pregnant including doctor bills and clothing and the out of pocket costs for the hospital stay. Also according to some study, a couple may spend as little of $500,000 on each child by the time that child turns 18 years old. This of course does not include tuition costs, private school costs, day care costs, etc.

2) Am I emotionally ready for a baby? I guess this one is a biggie for me. Emotional stability is very important in a child's life and something that each newborn deserves. Seeing that my career is always going to be a little hectic, when exactly is the best time to give birth?

3) Why do I want a baby so badly? Maybe its because my closest friend is pregnant? 

4) Am I ready for a baby? 
Right now, the only one I have to think of besides myself is John. Throwing a child into the mix creates another world to get used to. Romantic, two-person vacations may turn into well...family vacations with very little time for me and John. Gone are the days of staying in bed all weekend, late dinners and parties. This will be replaced by baby sitters, early meals and urgh early mornings.

Sometimes I wonder if I have thought beyond the cute baby stage? There will be dirty diapers, lack of sleep, less time for fun and almost no private chill time for me. The child will be with me for 18 years. He/she will grow from a teething baby to annoying adolescence to infuriating teenager. Am I really ready for that kind of commitment?


5) My body! Haha. Now am I ready for stretch marks? 


6) Will travel plans be permanently on hold? Will I still be able to follow all of my dreams if I have a baby? Will be interesting to plan on how I am going to still be able to go to school, travel, experience life and meet professional goals. Are they dreams worth giving up?


However the flip side of this is that I get innocent smiles, belly laughs, an extra set of little hands and feet crawling in bed with me at 6am, movie and pizza night followed by homemade chocolate chip cookies and art projects created with love from my child's own hands. 

All that negatives but honestly I am looking forward to the day I finally become a mummy.