Parenting

How Do You Know if You’re Ready to Parent?

Even a planned pregnancy can be scary. But when that pregnancy is a surprise, it can make the prospect of having and/or raising a child even more daunting. An unplanned pregnancy forces you to think about several things that you probably hadn’t thought of before, including the emotional and financial implications of bringing a child into the world. With that said, a surprised parent is just as capable as someone who planned to become pregnant.

Perhaps the most important part of parenting is providing the child with a strong support system. Naturally, as their parent, that would begin with you. However, not everyone has that system in place. Therefore, if you are considering becoming a parent, there are several things you will want to consider, including:

• Is your partner supportive?
• How will your family and friends react?
• How would a child affect your job and/or education?
• Could you financially support a child?
• Are you mature enough to be a parent?
• Do you have a stable place to live?

The Walker Area Pregnancy Support can help you work through these questions and find answers that will help you in your decision-making process. If you could use some support and guidance during this time, we encourage you to reach out and contact us to schedule an appointment. Our experienced staff has counseled numerous people in situations similar to yours, and we would be more than happy to help you as you weigh your options.