Are You Ready To Be A Mom?

Some women are born with the desire to become a mom. It just comes natural to them and their hearts ache for a child! When they see a baby, they want to hold the sweet little thing and never let it go! That is me. I have just always loved babies! I remember playing “Mommy and Baby” with my little sister and then babysat children throughout all of Junior High and High School. I have honestly ALWAYS wanted to be a mom. On the other hand, some women are completely opposite. The very thought of having a baby makes them nervous and they don’t want to have children because they know the responsibilities it comes with.

Becoming a mom is truly a life changing experience – they are right. You really do say goodbye to late nights, parties and going out to dinner, and you exchange them for early bed times, toy boxes and eating in with Disney movies. It may sound lame to some, but I am telling you – it is the best thing that can ever happen to you!

For you ladies out there that are thinking about becoming a mom – this is for you. For you ladies that never have had the desire to be a mom – this is for you. For you ladies who aren’t sure if you want to be a mom, but want to look more into it – this is for you. This is for ALL of you.

Today I share with you a few things to keep in mind about motherhood – The good, the bad and the ugly. How do you know if you are ready to start your family? Are you ready to be a mom? Ask yourself the following questions:

1. HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SPOUSE? – I want you to think about your companion… your other half… that cute man by your side! Think about your relationship with each other. Would you consider it healthy? Are you happy? Is he happy? I have heard all too often that couples have babies thinking it will “fix” a marriage, but lets be honest. Marriage is hard! Having a baby is hard! So bringing a baby into a marriage – is double the hard! {If that makes sense 🙂 } Make sure you and your husband are on the same page and have the same goals and desires. Once you have a good foundation for your relationship, bring on the babies! Truthfully, my husband and I have NEVER been happier. Often times we wonder what in the world we even did before we became parents! We always say how boring we must have been! It is so important though before you have babies to form an unbreakable bond. A bond that can go through hard trials, late nights and cranky hormones without being torn apart.

2. HOW ARE YOUR FINANCES? – Something we all would rather not talk about, but is definitely necessary when considering starting your family. Babies can be expensive! People will always tell you they are expensive, but really – they are expensive! After calculating doctor visits, ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins, hospital bills, anesthesia and medication, you then have to add up clothing, food, diapers and blankets. The lists seem to go on forever! Something to consider is looking into good Health Insurance coverage – I always say I hate insurance because it can be stressful at times working with them, but after having a baby, I am very grateful for them!

I do want to add in though, that I do not suggest holding off on a baby just because you are in school or don’t have “enough” money – Thomas S. Monson said: “If you are concerned about providing financially for a wife and family, may I assure you that there is no shame in a couple having to scrimp and save. It is generally during these challenging times that you will grow closer together as you learn to sacrifice and to make difficult decisions.” We all will have our needs and we may find ourselves scrabbling for money often. Create a budget and see how you can fit a baby into it. It may mean less shopping sprees and adding that money to a “baby fund,” but it is worth it! 

3. HOW IS YOUR HEALTH? – Carrying a baby for 9 months can really take a toll on your body {I know from experience after nearly 6 months on bed rest.}. There are two parts in being healthy enough to become a mom – physically and emotionally.

Physically – get checked by your OBGYN to make sure you are healthy and able to carry a baby. Get rid of bad health habits you may have and prepare your body to take care of a miracle inside of you.

Emotionally – Hormones can do crazy things to your mind. Make sure you are mentally prepared and happy in yourself. Postpartum depression is very serious and common. Try to be stable enough before pregnancy, so you can try and fight off those baby blues as much as possible. It is real and you can read more about how to treat that here.

4. ARE YOU OKAY WITH CHANGES? – The moment they lay the baby in your arms for the first time, your life will change. You kind of automatically become less selfish. You fall in love instantly and you suddenly would do anything and everything for this child. Prepare yourself for changes to come. Are you okay to give up staying out on the town late? Are you okay to wake up several times in the middle of the night to rock a baby to sleep? Are you okay to realize you may not ever be on time to another event again? Are you okay to put someone else’s needs before your own? If you are okay with changes, you are headed in the right direction!

5. HAVE YOU TALKED TO YOUR SPOUSE ON HOW YOU WILL RAISE A FAMILY? – Communication in marriage is key. Something important to talk to your spouse before starting your family is how you will raise the baby. Will you be a stay-at-home mom or will you need to continue working? Do you want the baby to grow up going to church and would you like them to be baptized? Will you divide up responsibilities as parents on who will be in charge of what? Do you agree on schedules, sleeping routines and eating habits for the baby? There are more questions you can talk to your spouse about here, that might be a good place to start.

6. DO YOU HAVE THE DESIRE? – Lastly, I want you to ask yourself if you have the desire? Do you want to be a mom? Does it feel right to YOU? Often times people will tell you what they think is best for you and your family and it is important to listen to them. BUT, I also know that it is important to listen to your heart. If it weren’t for my husband and I listening to our hearts, we probably wouldn’t be parents right now. We struggled with infertility for four years and had we not started “trying” so early on in our marriage, we wouldn’t have had the experiences that led us to become parents a year and a half ago. Follow your heart. Do what you feel is best. If your heart is aching and you feel it is right… believe in yourself.

Coming from someone who wanted a child for many years before having the opportunity to have one, I tell you it is worth it. With every late night feeding, poopy diaper, toddler tantrum and pounding headache – comes the greatest joy, love, and excitement you will ever feel. There truly is no greater joy, than that of motherhood.

If you are thinking about starting your family, I encourage you to go down this list of questions to consider. If you feel it to be right, I completely support you in becoming a mom. I know you won’t regret it!

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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

June 9, 2014 by Danielle Davis | 11 Comments