Are you ready to start a family?

You are ready for a change

Sometimes you can hear the phrase that the child will adapt to the style of your life. In reality, however, it doesn't have to be so rosy. The arrival of a baby often turns a family's life upside down. You will probably have to adapt your daily routine to your baby's sleep and needs for several months or even years. Get ready for the daily routine of putting, feeding, changing and comforting a crying creature. In the first months of life, you may also be surprised by sleep deprivation - you will have to get up several times a night to meet your baby's needs. This can affect your mood and ultimately your relationship. More than once you may have to cancel or change your plans when your little one gets sick, teething or has a bad day.

Returning to work will also be a big change – often a struggling preschooler can affect your work commitment. You will also have to balance your work, personal and family life. And most importantly - some things may not be as you dreamed. Perhaps all parents dream of a child who sleeps through the night, is smiling, eats well and never gets angry or whines. Reality can shatter your expectations and dreams. If you are aware of all these aspects of life with a child, you are ready for all changes and unexpected situations, and it fills you with joyful anticipation rather than dread, you are on the right track to becoming parents.

You make a solid couple

Do you believe that a child will heal the cracks in your relationship or banish the emptiness you feel in the relationship? Unfortunately, this is one of the most common parenting myths. The arrival of a child and all the challenges and changes that await you are a stressful test for every couple. If you want to start a family together, your relationship should be strong. Can you solve disputes and crises together? Can you find a compromise? Do you pull together if problems arise? If your answer is yes, you are ready to face the challenges of parenthood.

You are physically and mentally fit

Pregnancy and parenthood are demanding both physically and mentally. Future parents should therefore be mentally well and have enough energy to care for their child. If you already feel exhausted, in constant stress and psychological discomfort, take it easy. Establish a work-life balance before you decide to start a family. This is the best way to avoid burnout and depression.

You have a stable financial background

A baby costs not only time and effort, but also a lot of money. You definitely don't need to have millions or hundreds of thousands in your account to be able to afford to start a family. However, you should be able to handle the expenses that come with the birth of a baby. You also have to take into account that you will probably lose one income during maternity and parental leave. If you plan to return to work soon, you need to arrange babysitting, which can also be quite expensive. You will not make a mistake if you calculate how much your family budget will increase with the arrival of a new family member and how you will be able to pay your obligations and household expenses during maternity and parental leave. You can also visit a financial advisor who will help you plan a healthy family budget. Being prepared for these financial challenges is another big step toward mature parenthood.

You have support in your family or immediate surroundings

Having support not only in your partner, but also in your surroundings is definitely a plus. Sometimes you may need babysitting or other help for your child, and you will appreciate it when those closest to you offer you a helping hand. And it's not just about guarding. You'll be happy to have people in your social bubble who will listen and support you when you're feeling miserable without judging you or giving unsolicited advice. If you have such kind souls around you, you can embark on the journey to parenthood with a lighter heart.

You and your partner are team

There must be two of you to start a family - this means that you should both agree on the decision to bring a child into the world. No one should feel pressured into the decision to start a family - either by their surroundings or by their partner. Think of it as a decision that will forever affect and change your life and the life of your offspring. Make a decision freely and responsibly. Having a child is not your duty. It's not even your responsibility to have one right now. But if the desire for a child is your common desire, you have a good basis for becoming good parents.

And what if your partner does not want a child now or in the future? Then respect his or her opinion. In this case, compromise is very difficult to find and there is too much at stake. Sometimes it can be better to end the relationship than to worry about the constant thoughts of "I want a child". If you're worried that you won't find a suitable partner for starting a family, don't worry. For example, you can try the themed speed dating "family and serious relationship" - it brings together single people who want to settle down and start a family.

Right time? Maybe it never will be

Even though the signals are whispering to you that you are ready to start a family, there may still be a worm of doubt gnawing at you. There is basically no right time to have a child and bring him into the world. There is not even a correct opinion when to have a child at the latest. Doubts sometimes overtake each of us. You can always find reasons to postpone starting a family - until you've traveled halfway around the world, when you get a promotion at work, when you have your own home... If you both feel mentally prepared, you want a child, you have a stable relationship, you're in good health and you have a satisfactory financial background and a roof over your head, isn't it pointless to look for reasons to postpone parenthood indefinitely? Wouldn't it be a shame if the chance to start a family slipped through your fingers due to unnecessary hesitation? The truth remains that biological age cannot be cheated. The probability of getting pregnant decreases with increasing age, so make a wise and responsible decision.