Bracing Yourself For The Baby

Planning a baby or expecting one? Thrilled? Naturally. After all it’s your baby, a part of you. You are giving birth to a new life….

A new kind of excitement, anticipation, fear will surround you in those nine months before the baby comes to your life. Planning can only ease your stress and make you go ahead in life. Start thinking about the cost of childcare, maternity leave, medical bills and at the same time, you may lose one of the parent’s incomes. Taking wise financial moves can help you overcome the fears and anxieties. Followings are certain tips to follow during pregnancy or planning for a baby.

Prepare yourself mentally- Becoming a parent can change many aspects of your life. You have to be more responsible towards your newborn and your family. It is always better to talk to your partner about your feelings and anxieties. Before the baby arrives, planning is very important.

Plan for big buys-There are certain things you have to buy after the delivery like crib, car seat, stroller, diaper, baby clothes, changing table etc. Start buying them during pregnancy. The hospital will not let you take the baby home without a car seat. Therefore, install it beforehand.

Save money and spend wisely-When you learn you are expecting, start saving from the day one. Most parent-to-be are thrilled with the good news and start spending in buying everything for the kid, decorating the room, even buying a bigger house. Do you know the baby needs very little space in the first few years? And if you cut your expenditure and spend wisely, you can save that extra money for the baby’s future. Understand what you need to buy and when do you need to buy. After the baby arrives, suddenly your expenditure will go up in buying formula and diapers and for babysitter.

Think about child care-Most excited parent-to-be never think about post- delivery period. Whether you afford to stay at home for the baby or appoint a nanny-decide before time. May be you can ask for grandparents or other elderly family members for help. Better to plan ahead and set a budget for it.

Plan ahead for education-In U.S.A., the cost of raising a child varies- depending on social background, place of residence and your economic condition. That’s why, start saving right now, not after 10th grade.

All these planning can ease your anxiety, stress and make you prepare for the new arrival in the family both mentally and physically.