Becoming parents is a huge step. Children demand much more than diapers and cute baby clothes. Are you sure you’re ready?

Can you afford it?

The most daunting aspect of parenting for most individuals is the cost. Children today will cost their parents an average of $187,000 from birth to eighteen. That is not including college tuition. Of course a great deal of that cost is housing and the sum is spread out over eighteen years, but the figure is still daunting.

If you’re stretching to pay your bills every month, a new baby with the diapers, clothing, hospital bills and extra groceries required might break you. You’re not required to put money into a college fund every month, but you are required to properly feed and clothe your children – preferably without government assistance.

Do you have proper resources?

Money aside, children require a great deal of resources. Is your home large enough for a baby? Will you have to move into a larger apartment or home for a baby and all their belongings to fit? Can you afford to?

Emotional resources are critical as well. If you have a very short temper or require medications to deal with anxiety or stress, the frustrations of parenthood might be a bit too taxing.

Additional resources to consider are the people who can help with your needs or those of the baby including your significant other, potential babysitters, and your network of friends. Do you have a large reliable network? Are you alone in an unfamiliar setting?

Do you have the time?

In our busy world, adults fill their time with career advancement, hobbies and travel. As much as we might like to think so, children do not accommodate our schedule, we must accommodate theirs. Are you willing to give up long work days? Will that diminish your income? Would you resent the child if your career stalled or you lost promotion opportunities due to maternity or paternity leave or your shortened work days?

Finally, are you willing to give up or dramatically scale back, at least temporarily, any hobbies or travel which require resources your baby might need? If not, simply enjoy your life now and reassess your family planning in a few years.