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Money, Marriage and Medicine
Some Things to Think About
By Jessica Frank
Himes plans on working per diem for a home-based agency that works with special needs children once she gets settled with the baby. A little extra money coming in will still allow for the luxuries and the fun.
Party!Are you ready to give up those late night parties and settle down to popcorn, videos and baby wipes? Late nights out are not going to cut it when you become a parent. Some babies have a hard time adjusting to caregivers other than Mom or Dad. Plus, babysitters cost cold hard cash and many require a ride home on a cold winter night.
Are you ready instead to sit up half the night with Baby? Make sure that you are in a position to have at least one of you – you or your partner – available to be there for the child during the night. If you feel that this is an impossibility, then maybe it's not the right time.
If you're ready to give up your regular Friday happy hours and the ocassional shopping trip with friends? Then you could be ready to be a parent. (Himes and her husband, *Michael, already have their DVD collection dusted off and ready to go!)
Is your marriage or partnership strong enough to handle a change in your lives? On the stress scale, a new baby ranks up there with job changes, home changes and the "D" word: divorce. A new baby coming into your house changes your lifestyle and initially adds stress. You are suddenly no longer just responsible for yourselves but another human being – one that needs your attention 24/7.
Make sure that your relationship is up to par before bringing that little one into your lives. You may want to give your partner the "puppy" test. If they can survive the 3 a.m. screaming of a puppy, then you may be ready to have that baby after all.
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