Readiness to become a parent

Difference between human and animal parents

Parenting is just a biological task for non-human species; hence it lasts for a short time and is less complicated. Mammals tend to nurture their young ones more than non-mammals do, but the number of offspring an average adult mammal produces doesn’t allow for too much attention to be bestowed upon them.

Humans, on the other hand, have to provide for their children’s physical needs, protect them from harm’s way, impart skills and values and help them stand on their own two feet. It is a lifelong responsibility for human parents.


Readiness to become a parent

Consider yourself ready to become a parent if you are:

• Ready to provide resources such as money, food, clothing, shelter, and time; all basic but important needs.
• Ready to nurture and support the child by providing comfort, warmth, love, acceptance, focused attention and re-assurance.
• Ready to promote and support the child’s physical, emotional, educational, social and aspirational development from infancy to adulthood.
• Ready to provide a stable home and responsible role models.

Becoming a good parent

Every person can become a great parent provided s/he is willing, open and ready to be one. Good parents need great strength to guide their children well. They need to provide certain structure, order, and discipline in which the children can grow optimally. They should not constrict their children but maintain a certain expectation of mutual harmony and respect.

Three most important requirements of a good parent are:
• Know yourself well.
• Know your partner well.
• Be absolutely sure that you want to become a parent.

A happy loving marital relationship

One of the best gifts you can give to your children is a happy loving marriage, as your relationship with your partner remains the foundation on which your family will grow. Before becoming a parent take a good look at your relationship and see it as it will be seen by your children. Notice how you and your partner relate to each other. Do you raise your voice when you disagree? Do you sulk when you don’t get what you want? Be truthful with your answers and learn more harmonious ways of communicating and strengthening your partnership before you start a family.

Remember, a harmonious home is the first requirement of a child.

Maintaining a stress-free environment is imperative not just for a child’s wellbeing but also for a healthy and loving family bonding. So identify your stressors and try to resolve them before you decide to have a child.

If the couple is unprepared for all the emotional, physical and social changes that a baby involves, their marital relationship might get derailed. On the other hand, if they adopt their attitudes towards each other while making ample space for the new baby and her demands, they will grow closer in marriage.

A harmonious lifestyle

It is important to take a good look at your lifestyle and be mindful of your choices regarding eating a healthy diet, maintaining a regular exercise regimen, refraining from drinking and smoking etc. Both the partners must support each other and make a shift in the lifestyle if needed. After all home is the first place where a child learns his/her habits from!

Career planning

Even though you don’t need to involve your larger family and your employer in your baby plans, it is advisable to keep them posted. This increases trust and transparency in your personal and professional relationships. It also helps when you require support from them. You can also think of taking a sabbatical or work from home options. After all a baby is a full time job. How successful you are juggling work and parenthood will depend upon the support at home and at work.

Choosing Love

When we choose to experience motherhood and fatherhood, essentially we are choosing to experience love. Little babies offer us a great opportunity to know, feel and extend love. They sandpaper all the rough spots on us and we do the same to them.