by Patty Armstrong
Learning that you’re going to be a parent can be such a magical and beautiful moment! Whether you’re a soon-to-be dad or mom, there are several things you can do to help you prepare for the arrival of your little one.
First, as you begin to prep for parenthood you should ask yourself, what does my support system look like? A good support system is more than just a few people who can babysit or you can add to a baby shower guest list. Supporters are reliable people who you can count on to help you financially, emotionally, and mentally as you prepare.
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It's easier said than done, we know. But far too often are parents centered solely on themselves and their immediate family members, only to be left disappointed when they end up doing everything alone. You want to begin setting up a solid foundation for your baby and interestingly enough that does mean having good supportive people in your corner.
She’s SINGLE is making it our mission to help single moms and dads with resources—whether through discounts and partnerships with baby formula companies such as Arla and Perrigo to name a few or clothing companies like Raising Awesome Kids.
As you prepare for parenthood and you’re beginning to get your finances in order, keep the following information in mind – The average cost for middle-income 2-parent families to raise children is $233,610.
Housing: 29%
Food: 18%
Child Care and Education: 16%
Travel: 15%
Health Care: 9%
Clothing: 6%
Clothing costs can average around $16,017, especially with the inflation going on today and so, we did some research. Simple Baby is a great place to get all of your baby essentials in one simple package.
According to their founders, “When we became first-time parents, we were a bit overwhelmed with the options for our new baby. We thought we had to buy everything everyone recommended. And so, we did…little did we know, we didn’t use most of the things we bought.” At Simple Baby, you can get a newborn gift set package for boys and girls containing things such as a baby romper, hairbrush, pacifier with a wooden clip, and more. It’s a great way to save money!
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We also learned about Buckle Me Baby Coats. Their coats are all durable water resistant and designed to be perfect for harsh, snowy Northern States and Canada. Their coats do range in price, but are worth the investment with safety measures taken and all—the coats are crash tested Child Passenger Safety Tech approved.
Next, you want to begin thinking about the cost of childcare and understanding parental leave benefits. As previously mentioned, this is where a good support system can be vital. If you’re a single mom or dad and have to work, then it is wise to call on a trusted friend or family member who can watch your baby during work hours.
Otherwise, maybe look for WFH (work-from-home) jobs where you can still be a full-time employee and parent. I recommend looking into start-ups. As a new mom that was my first task—to find a stay-at-home job. Luckily, I landed here. This was a start-up when I came along and so, I recommend that you search for other start-up companies that may be hiring. It doesn’t take as long to climb the business ladder and they’re a bit more flexible.
Labor and delivery is a big one! Most first-time parents are oblivious to the costs of childbirth. There is even a fee for skin-to-skin and an epidural—please keep this in mind. When learning about childbirth before having my baby, I decided to labor at home and deliver at the hospital. This helped me to keep the bill down tremendously.
Unfortunately, it is a risk because some women end up having their kids in the back of a car on their way to the hospital. Fortunately for me, I timed it perfectly and spent only about 20 mins in delivery. No kidding!
If you’re not wanting to do the hospital, you can look into birthing centers or at-home births. For women expecting a low-risk birth, a birth center could be a consideration. Some birth centers may be located next to the hospital but they are usually separate healthcare facilities. Then you have the option of delivering at home. If both you and baby are in good health before delivery, having a registered midwife in attendance, and planning for a safe, quick trip to the hospital if the need arises are things to consider.
Next of course is the recovery process. With Postpartum Depression, here are [some] signs to look for:
Crying for no reason
Sudden bouts of anger
Experiencing trouble bonding with your newborn
Thinking about hurting yourself or your baby
Overeating or feeling no appetite
Experiencing mood swings and irritability
Anxiety and worry
Feelings of sadness, despair, or feeling overwhelmed
These are just a few because there is a wide range of symptoms linked to PPD. We recommend reading up on PPD. As always, we’ve provided some additional resources below and they can all be found on Amazon. If things worsen, then it is best to speak to a professional.
The Honest Mom Journal, Retail: $19.77
Help! I'm a New Mom, Retail $9.99 (paperback)
What to Expect When You're Expecting, Retail $12.70
You’re not alone. We’re here to help.
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