You and your partner have decided to start growing your family, what an exciting time it is in your life. From baby showers to designing a new nursery, to baby-proofing your home, there is a lot of preparation that needs to be done. But no worries, getting organized and having an idea of what you need to do before the arrival of your little one will set you up for success! Below are some tips and tricks to help you prepare for growing your family.
Get Your Finances Under Control
A stressor that can come from growing your
family can be related to finances. Having your money matters under control will
give you peace of mind and a roadmap when financial situations get sticky. A
great way to combat this is to evaluate your current budget and research the
costs of new items you’ll need to factor into it. Consider dabbling in money
management strategies such as the 50/30/20 budget, zero-based budget, calendar
budgeting, or paycheck budget. Looking into each budgeting method will help you find the best
strategy for you and your family.
Try your best to pay off any credit card debt
you may have. Doing this will allow you to have a fresh slate and can help
improve your credit score for situations that you may need to think about such
as applying for loans, a home, your new parent car, etc.
While thinking long-term, you’ll also want to
get an idea of price points for child care down the road. Not only that but
factoring in costs of formula, food, diapers, and clothing as they continue to
grow in that first year. Once you have your finances in order, you’re going to
want to evaluate your current living situation.
Evaluate Your Current Living
Space
Adding a new family member to the mix could
make you realize that maybe your current residence isn’t big enough and that
you need more space. So ask yourselves, do you need to consider a move? If so,
make sure you have an idea of what you need to do before putting your home on
the market and purchasing a new one.
Maybe you love the neighborhood you’re in,
you’re located in a great school district, and you have wonderful neighbors.
All your boxes are checked, so moving isn’t in the cards. If that’s the case
for you, but you still need some extra room, you can think about adding to your
home and using a home equity loan to support the renovation.
This will allow you to get a lump sum of money that you can pay off in monthly
increments.
If you’re already in your forever home that
has lots of room for growth, you’ll probably only have to make some minor home updates. For example, cleaning out
the spare room to transform it into a nursery or if you already have a little
one running around who has outgrown theirs, creating the perfect toddler room.
Whatever it may be, give yourself as much time as you can for these upgrades to
limit the stress that could be caused by a move or home renovation.
Prepare Your Family
Growing your family comes with a lot of
changes, especially when it comes to your family dynamic. It’s a good idea to
introduce your little one to the idea of having a sibling. Having conversations
about what this means for them and incorporating some bedtime stories to prepare them for a sibling
are good ways to get them ready for what’s ahead.
Having a solid support system will also be
helpful during this time. It’s a good idea to lean on them when you need an
extra hand to ensure you and your partner don’t get burned out. Figure out a
solid group of people you can have on call. Chat with them to find out if
they’d be comfortable and available to be your family’s emergency contact. Then
make a list of those individuals whether it be family or friends. This is a
smart way to be prepared and have help on hand when unexpected events happen or
if you and your partner just need a night out.
As your family grows, you and your partner may
have less time to spend with just one another. Make sure that you still make
your relationship a priority and set days during the week or month that you
devote to having a night out with one another or where the kids spend a weekend
with their grandparents or aunts and uncles (your support system). This will
allow you and your partner to continue to grow your relationship and have some
relaxation time.
Don’t forget to have designated family time.
Maybe this consists of family dinners, going to the movies together, or going
on a family trip. You could also implement 1 on 1 time with your kids. This will
allow you and your partner to grow your bond with your little ones.
Set Up a Game Plan for Balancing
Family and Career
It’s a good idea to plan for when maternity
and paternity leave ends. Balancing your family and career can come with
some trial and error. But, in the end, you’ll be able to find your rhythm and
integrate both into your life flawlessly.
There are various questions you’ll want to ask
yourselves:
●
Will both parents be working from
home for a little while after?
●
Will someone have to travel to the
office? Will both of you need to?
●
Who will watch the kids? Do you
need to plan for child care or a nanny?
●
When will your days start, and
when will they have a hard stop?
Keeping these questions in mind and preparing
for them ahead of time will allow you to set boundaries and have a game plan
for any work situation. Maybe consider creating a family calendar that can help
you all stay on track when it comes to family time and work events. Don’t
forget to ask for help. Burnout can happen at work and in your home life, so
don’t be afraid to ask for support when you need it the most.
Continue to chase your work goals and make new
ones. Just because you’ve become a parent doesn’t mean you have to change your
career or become a stay-at-home mom or dad. Although life may be busy at home,
it’s always important to keep your hopes and dreams in mind when it comes to your
career.
Again, growing your family can be a very
exciting time. Having a roadmap and guide to follow allows you to feel ready
for any life event that may occur.
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