Major Questions Parents Should Ask Themselves Before Having A Second Child

November 17, 2017

Having a child is one of the most life-changing experiences a person can have. As a new mother, there is so much to learn and experience. Every day comes with its own set of challenges and after a while, you become confident in your abilities so much that you're considering doing it again.

You probably think having a second child will be just like the first one, except this time, you will be more experienced. That may be true to a certain extent but the fact is, before you conceive your second child, you should ask yourself a few questions.

Is your first child ready?

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Okay, we are not saying you need to ask your child if it's time to conceive, but you have to keep a few things in mind. He or she has to be emotionally ready for a sibling so that things will go more smoothly when the baby arrives. You should be prepared to spend a lot of time with your first born while pregnant and help him or her understand that a new addition is on the way.

Is your relationship strong enough?

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Adding a child to your relationship dynamic probably led to a few frictions between yourself and your partner. Pregnancy hormones, financial stress, and even lack of sleep after the baby was born might have created a breeding ground for animosity in your relationship. Before you do this again, ensure you and your partner have found your way back to that bond and happiness you once shared. If you are still struggling to get back to that loving partnership, you might want to hold off on introducing a new baby.

Do you have enough space?

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Let's talk about the practicality of having another child. Do you have plans for how the kids will sleep? Will you be transitioning your first born to a different room or bed? Can you picture how everything will work in terms of everyone getting their own space?

Can you afford it?

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You cannot ignore the financial aspect when it comes to having a new baby. It may seem like not that big of a deal but you have to understand that raising two kids would translate to at least twice the cost of raising one.

Will it affect your career goals?

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After the newborn phase is over, it is easy to forget how much you had to give up to get through it. You probably needed to take time off work or put your career on hold. Are you absolutely ready to make the sacrifice again?

As long as you understand what is expected and you're prepared, there's really nothing stopping you. There is no 'best' time to have a child. You just have to do what feels right for you and your family.

Source: Mommyish