woman holding a baby unsure of whether she is ready to have kids
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4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Having Kids

By Kayla Young

So, you’ve started toying with the idea of becoming a parent. Exciting! Terrifying! Thought-provoking! To help those of you who may be wondering if you’re ready to have kids, I came up with this handy little quiz, which has been medically and scientifically not proven to actually determine whether or not you should have children, but for the sake of your own entertainment, please go ahead and take it anyway.

1. How stable is your relationship?

No, we aren’t saying you have to be married, but what we are saying is that if you’re choosing to start your parenthood adventure with someone else, you want to be in a relationship that feels secure and in it for the long haul.

If there are any question marks in your relationship (we’re talking abuse, infidelity, constant arguing – that kind of stuff), you probably want to hold off.

While some may be of the belief that a baby is a good way to fix or strengthen a relationship, trust us when we say that babies bring a whole new dynamic and set of challenges that may just do the opposite if your relationship is on shaky ground.

2. What does your financial situation look like?

There isn’t really a set number of dollars you need to have in the bank to have a baby, but some financial planning for your future wouldn’t be a bad idea. Look into some of the costs associated with having a baby (like furniture, clothing, baby gear, food and childcare) and set up a budget for the first few months (or years) of your child’s life. If things are looking dire, it’s okay to wait until your financial situation changes.

3. How old are you?

Biologically speaking, the perfect age to have a baby is in your late teens or early twenties (and psychologically, it’s never). This is because your oocytes (cells in your ovaries that divide to form an ovum) are fresh and your reproductive system is at its peak. Women in their twenties have the lowest rates of birth concerns such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth and infertility. Socially and financially speaking, it’s often nice to have a few years under your belt, but the sweet spot is different for everyone. Picking somewhere between 18 and 50 is probably your best bet.

4. Do you like children?

Even this might not be a game changer. I know plenty of people who hate everyone else’s kids but love their own. Although, if you really dislike children, maybe a dog is a better option.

How did you decide if you were ready to have kids or not?

Let us know in the comments below! What was the thing that tipped the scale one way or the other for you? Did other people influence your decision one way or the other?

Our next reco: Your Pregnant Body – 20 Things They Don’t Tell You



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