• Knowledgebase: First Time Parenting 101

    Information for first time parents

    9. How do we know if we are ready to be parents? - Top

    That is a good question. I was 25 when we had our first baby and I thought I was pretty mature. Now I know how immature I really was even at that age.

    I am not saying that everybody should wait until they are thirty until they have a baby. Being a young parent can be helpful! You may have more energy to spend with your baby. You may be better able to relate to your teenager than an older parent.

    However, you have to realize that this is a tremendous commitment if you are going to do it right. From this point foreward, you can only be the second most important thing in your life. Your baby comes first. You may have to delay doing things you wish to do, or going places you wish to go. You may have to save money you were going to spend on yourself and put it towards your child's needs or education.

    Is your relationship with your spouse or significant other mature enough? You both will have to deal with the uncertainties and frustrations of parenting. You both will loose some sleep.

    I have said to prospective parents "Before you have a baby, get a dog. Raise the dog and nurture it. If the dog bites, wait to have a child." I don't know if that is a valid test of parenting skill, but there is some truth to it. Some dogs just are 'the biting kind'. But most dogs, if they are raised with love, respect, and set rules and expectations, will not bite. The same applies for children. You have to be mature enough, and together enough, to provide a healthy environment in which your child can thrive.

    Someone once said "there ought to be a test you have to take to become a parent!" Well, there is one, but you have to give the test to yourself by looking inside yourself and seeing if you are truely ready. When you ARE ready, parenting can be the most exciting and rewarding part of your life. - Updated: March 12, 2008

    [e-Mail me the Knowledgebase]-   [Search our Knowledgebase] -  [Question Not Answered?]    


    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP