1. Determining Parental Readiness
Ready or Not!
Determining Parental Readiness

2. Reasons for Becoming a Parent
There are a variety of reasons for becoming a parent – some valid, and some not.
Complete the “Reasons for Becoming a Parent” worksheet provided. Once finished, discuss your answers with your table group. Be prepared to share points from your discussion with the class.
Complete the “Parent Readiness Quiz” provided. Reflect on whether or not you are surprised by the results.

3. How Will I Know? Deciding to become a parent is a big decision.
Many factors must first be considered before planning to start a family.
You and your partner should ask yourselves . . .
Are we willing and able to take responsibility for a child?
How realistic are our expectations of parenthood?
Can we handle the pressures involved?
Do we really want to have a child?
Are our reasons for wanting a child based on reality or fantasy? Selflessness or selfishness?

5. Factors to Consider: Personal Values
Personal attitudes, beliefs, and experiences that influence your decisions.
Desire: Is having a child something that you’ve always wanted, or something that you feel you are “supposed” to do?
Experience: Did you have a happy childhood? Do your own parents/family inspire you to want a family of your own? Do you want to offer a child a better upbringing than you experienced?
Opinions: Do you see value in having children? Are you concerned about issues such as overpopulation, or the environmental impact of children? Do you think society is a positive place in which to raise a child?

6. Factors to Consider: Social Pressures
The influence of other people on behaviours, choices, and opinions.
Media: May depict images of “perfect parenthood”, or suggest that having kids is “normal”/required to lead a fulfilling life.
Family: Reinforce the expectation to have children.
“You’ve been married for so long! When are you having kids?”
“I’m getting old – I want grandchildren before I die!”
Friends: If your close friends are all having children, you may feel compelled to do the same. If your close friends aren’t having children, you may put off the decision.

7. Factors to Consider: Cultural Expectations
The influence of culture, religion, and/or geographical location on behaviours, choices, and opinions.
Worldwide, there are a variety of attitudes towards parenthood.
For example . . .
In some cultures, larger families are a sign of wealth/status.
According to some religions, sexual intercourse is specifically for the purpose of procreation (having babies).
Not all cultures/religions encourage or support the use of contraception. This can lead to unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, or feelings of guilt/shame for using contraception.
In countries where over-population is an issue, policies or social expectations are enforced to limit the number of children a family can have.
Most famously, China enforced a “one-child” policy from 1979 to 2015.
Some more developed European countries promote/accept a “child-free” lifestyle, leading to lower birth rates. Developed countries in general also experience higher rates of females in the workplace, leading to a decrease in reproduction (pregnancies).
In religions that support polygamy, one man will have many wives who each bear him children.

8. Factors to Consider: Emotional Maturity
Your ability to assess, understand, and manage your emotions.
In order to be an effective, supportive parent, you must first be in a place where . . .
You can be flexible with your time.
You are able to function with interrupted sleep patterns.
You can be patient and not get easily frustrated or overwhelmed (eg., dealing with a child who won’t stop crying).
You have a support system in place to help you with any issues or challenges that arise.
You are prepared to take on the commitments and responsibilities of parenthood.

9. Factors to Consider: Financial Stability
Feeling comfortable and secure in your finances; being able to reasonably provide for the necessities for you and any additional members of your family.
According to a recent study, it costs, on average, $243,656 to raise a child over the course of 18 years.
Before starting a family, partners should ask themselves . . .
What are the costs of prenatal care, pregnancy/delivery, and postnatal care?
How much will supplies for a baby cost?
What additional expenses can we expect over the next 18 years?
Are we able to maintain a budget each month? How would introducing a child affect this spending plan?
Are we willing to do without some things in order to provide for our child’s needs?

10. Factors to Consider: Personal Health
Maintaining a healthy weight; eating a balanced diet; participating in physical activity; avoiding vices such as smoking and drinking.
There are a variety of health factors that affect one’s ability to conceive. The physical demands of pregnancy, childbirth, and raising a child should be seriously considered before starting to plan a family.
In terms of conception, females are able to get pregnant as soon as they’ve started menstruating (ie., get their period).
However, if pregnancy occurs within the first two years of menstruation, there are greater risks involved, such as
premature babies
low birth weight
higher instances of infant mortality (death)
Fertility refers to an individual’s ability to conceive a child.
Both male and female fertility decreases past the age of 30.
Female fertility declines rapidly after age 35.
Male fertility declines rapidly after age 40.

11. Case Study: Astrid and Emil
Working with a partner, read Astrid and Emil’s case study on p. 153.
Use the t-chart provided to list the factors that might contribute to whether or not they should proceed with pregnancy.
Come to a final decision: are Astrid and Emil ready to have a baby?
Be prepared to share your answers with the class.
Ready
Not Ready