How did you know you were ready for kids?

belle1111

Hello, my husband and I have been married for 3 years now and we are starting to talk about having kids. However, the main things holding us back are money and the fear of not really knowing what to do. We are financially secure with the two of us but I know that kids can really stretch your budget. Also, we have never really been around kids that much so we are really afraid we would have no clue what to do.

Did anyone else feel this way and if so, when did you know you were ready for kids?

Soon2BMrs.P

I was just like you...worried about money, timing, everything!  Everyone I talked to said that no one is ever "ready" for children. If we all waited until we were ready NO ONE would have kids.  If you have a solid relationship, a little money and a loving home...take the plunge!  Motherhood is priceless!  HTH

RoRed5

I agree, you're never ready; even if you think you are.  And, whatever you're expecting to be a problem won't be but something you never planned for will happen.

I wasn't planning on my husband being in a wheelchair for 3 months while I was pregnant, having a preemie and having breastfeeding issues; but I did.  And you know what, things are great, DS is healthy, DH is back at work and I couldn't be happier. 

Honestly, the one person I know who has kids and I don't think was ready didn't understand the social life he'd have to give up when he had kids.  If you don't mind staying home most nights you should be fine. :-)

heathb21

From what I've always been told, you are never completely financially ready.  But once you are pg or have the baby, your life changes and you make adjustments.  I've been around kids, but having your own has to be completely different!

We always knew we wanted kids and DH was worried that he was getting older. 

ChiShanona

Honestly, we weren't ready!  It was totally unplanned and backwards for our situation.  But finding out that I was PG changed everything.  Like everyone says, "you're never completely ready" but you just learn to deal with the situation and prepare yourself as best you can.  The biggest thing we have to count on is that we have a loving support system of family and friends around us.  So, we have faith that we'll be able to handle the hard times even if money is more than tight.  Despite the worries and doubts about being ready, we're very excited and are looking forward to being parents!

If you have the option to plan ahead and save so that you have a little baby nest-egg of sorts, then I'd suggest doing that to at least give yourself some peace of mind.  But otherwise, just follow your gut.  I'm sure you'll know when you're ready.  Good luck!

cubsfan1

Our pregnancy was also completely unplanned. Actually I found out 10 days before our wedding that had been planned for over a year that I was pregnant and was in complete shock! Now though we are kind of happy it just happened like that...unplanned...because the other girls are right- if you try to plan it for when you are "ready" financially or feel like you are ready for everything a child will bring, that time will never come.

 I think if you guys love eachother and want a baby that is all you need. The rest will fall into place when it happens. And believe me, all of the changes are good...even the fretting about money and all that does not compare to the excitement and love we already have, and we have not even met our little one yet! It is so corney, but they are right when they say a baby changes everything, and for the better. I already feel like my life has more purpose!

I say go for it!