So you’re having a baby, congratulations mom and dad! No matter how it comes about, having a baby is both wonderful and terrifying. There is so much to do to get ready for the baby to be part of the family.
So where do you start? While there are certainly a lot of things you need to do to be ready for the baby, there are other things you need to do to be ready as parents. You might not have thought about these before, but they are all important to get done before the baby is born.
Know Your Rights
Moms- and dads-to-be should spend time brushing up the laws surrounding things like breastfeeding, maternity leave, tax breaks, and more. You need to be prepared for misunderstandings and unpleasant situations. The best way to do that is to gain some knowledge.
You also want to know about laws and regulations surround maternity and paternity for your area and workplace. The last thing you want is to find out right before the big day that you only have a week of paid time off.
You’ll also want to brush up on healthcare. Not only do you need to know what kind of coverage there is for the pregnancy but the baby after they’re born. If you’re adopting, this information is more important as you may have to coordinate certain medical tests or vaccinations.
It may not seem important, but you need to know the laws and regulations surrounding pregnancy. This will help you stay grounded if something does happen after the baby is born.
Plan For The Worst
Having a baby is a wonderful and joyful time, but you need to plan for the worst. Parents-to-be need to plan for what happens to their child if something happens to them. Single parents need to think even more about this.
You may find it hard to think about your spouse contending with medical complications during childbirth or what happens to the baby if mom and dad get in a car accident. However, you need to confront these kinds of questions head-on and plan for the worst possibilities.
Realistically, anyone over 30should have a will, trust, and/or healthcare proxy to help take care of things during bad times. If you don’t have any of these proxies, you need to. You may also want to look into life insurance if you don’t have any. With life insurance, your spouse and child will be taken care of if anything happens to you.
It can be difficult to plan for the worst. However, you’ll want the peace of mind that comes with knowing if anything happens, your baby will be taken care of by someone you trust.
Be Together
While it may seem like months before your baby arrives, they’ll be here in no time. And you’ll want to relish every moment of peace and quiet you can get with your significant other.
Spend time together, go on dates, and have as much adult fun together as you can. You should make time to spend with family and friends before the baby arrives, as well. You’re of course going to love your child but they also might be the only person you see for a while.
Try to make sure the time you spend together is outside of baby planning and doctor’s offices. New parents need a strong foundation to be able to endure the first few months of that precious adventure.
There is so much to do to get ready for baby and new parents have a million things to worry about. However, you need to remember these important tips. They may not have been at the top of your list when you first found out you would be parents, but you certainly don’t want to let them fall to the wayside.
