genuinegirly

Calling all TFP parents!

We all hear about how having a child drastically changes one's life, whether due to the additional commitment required and time constraints, or in some cases because of an enlightenment that hits as you hold your first child.

What do you recommend doing before having children?

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Where I'm coming from:

Tt and I have been married now for 3 months, and we're not planning on spawning for 5 years (much to his mother's dismay). In the meantime, we'd like to make sure we've done everything we're supposed to do before having kids, so we don't sit back and say "Oh, crap, I wish we'd thought of that last year." Been asking family members and friends with kids what they recommend fitting in. Some suggestions have been silly, others made me pause to think:

-Travel! Traveling with young children is not fair to the child, they become little more than extra baggage since they are not likely to remember their experiences.

- Complete your education. Pursuing graduate studies with children makes life more complicated than it needs to be.

- Teach your spouse to do the laundry.

- Spend time with friends.

- Develop a nest egg for child-related expenses.

- Get settled into a home and a community, someplace you will feel comfortable for the long-term.

- Watch other people's children (babysit) so you know what you're getting yourself into.

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"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy