1. “...you need a licence to drive, heck, you need a licence to fish...but they’ll let any @#*! be a parent”. Ready for Parenthood?

2. How do you know when you’re ready? Prospective parents should really ask themselves these questions: EMOTIONAL MATURITY Are 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?

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. 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.

6. What other questions would you add to this list?

7. 3 Tasks of Parenting NURTURING: Love Support Attention Encouragement GUIDANCE: Appropriate limits Self-control Positive values Moral standards PHYSICAL CARE: Food & Clothing Exercise & Rest A Safe Home Health Care

8. How Parenthood Affects Lifestyle Additional household chores Limits on personal freedom Career decisions – limitations Emotional conflicts Money problems Additional space requirements Difficulty planning ahead/ spontaneity Drain on time & energy

9. 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”....

10. 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