1. Choosing to Parent Chapter 10

2. UNDERSTANDING PARENTING 10:1

3. A parent is anyone who is biologically or legally a father or a mother – Once you become a parent you will always be a parent, even if you do not fulfill the parenting role

4. The Parenting Role Parenting means using skills to care for and raise a child to adulthood

5. Deciding Whether to Become a Parent What are your goals and what do you want to accomplish? What is your relationship as a couple like? How do you relate to children?

6. Reason for Not Parenting Some couple do not want to commit themselves to raising a child The world today Delay Parenting until their goals are met Health of Parents

7. The Age of the Mother The safest years for childbearing for women is the ages between 20-35 The risk of complications increases outside these ages Teenager is twice as likely to miscarry

8. The Age of the Mother Anemia is a condition of weakness and fatigue caused by an iron-deficient diet Preeclampsia (toxemia or pregnancy-induced hypertension) includes swelling and high blood pressure Placenta abruption is the separation of the growing baby from the wall of the mother’s uterus

9. The Age of the Mother Teen Mother – Often have low-birthweight and premature babies – Birth injures – Mental retardation – Risk of illness and death within the first year of the baby’s life

10. Parenting in the Teen Years Most teens are not ready to face the emotional, social, and financial problems involved Limits social life Not completing education or making career plans

11. Reasons for Parenting Healthy Reason – A way to pass on a part of themselves to the future – Personal experiences of having children

12. Reasons for Parenting Unhealthy Reasons – Having children brings prestige – Pressures from friends and family – Show physical competence (show they are adults) – Means of gaining personal power – To gain love – Improve your marriage

13. Having Realistic Expectations If parents have unrealistic expectations, they can hinder the child’s development Preparing for parenthood can help married couples develop realistic expectations for parent-child relationships.

14. QUALITIES NEEDED BY PARENTS 10:2

15. Being Emotionally Mature Children respond to the parent’s emotions Emotional maturity helps parents identify their own emotions Helps parents control strong emotions

16. Giving Unconditional Love Unconditional love is the ability to love another under any circumstance – They are loved for who they are – They do not have to preform or pretend to get love When children experience unconditional love, they are able to accept themselves as being loveable

17. Being Flexible Parent-child relationships will change throughout the life cycle

18. Being Responsible Responsible parenting means making choices that will help a child develop fully in all areas of life

19. Responsible parents need to Provide 1.Mature role models 2.A nurturing environment 3.A secure environment 4.A stimulating environment

20. Being Ready for Children to Change Your Life Children can give parents satisfaction Children help parents mature Children help parents recognize their human weaknesses Children can help parents enjoy family leisure time Children can give parents hope for the future

21. PARENTING ISSUES 10:3

22. Preparing for Children Considering child care Planning for Financial Changes Preparing for Lifestyle Changes

23. Infertility Infertility is defined as a couple’s inability to conceive a child or carry a child to full term – After a year or more

24. Causes of Infertility For men – Low sperm count – Blockage in one of the tubes that carry the sperm For women – Hormonal factors – Blocked fallopian tubes – Endometriosis – uterine tissue grow outside the uterus Other Factors – Exposure to radiation or toxic chemicals, smoking tobacco or marijuana and STDs

25. Treatment for Infertility Medications and hormones can stimulate or improve ovulation Surgical therapies can open blockages Artificial insemination

26. Treatment for Infertility Assisted reproductive technology (ART) In Vitro Fertilization Surrogate mother

27. Adoption Many people seek to fulfill their dream for children through adoption

28. Rights of Birthparents Birthparents must consent to the adoption Parental rights can be ended due to abandonment (usually not contact for a year) or unfit Cost of prenatal care and delivery are usually passed on to the adopting parents

29. Agency Adoptions Most adoptions are arranged through adoption agencies are called agency adoptions Adoption agencies are licensed by the state Independent adoptions are arranged privately Baby selling is illegal

30. Types of Adoption Open adoption- the birthparents may select and meet the adoptive parents and the child will have information on birthparents Closed adoption- the child does not know the identity of the birthparents

31. Steps in Adoption 1.A couple contacts an adoption agency 2.The agency conducts a thorough screening 3.The agency conducts a home study 4.The agency worker meets with potential parents to discuss possible children 5.Potential parents get acquainted with the child 6.The adoption becomes legal in court

32. Cost of Adoption May be asked to cover expense incurred by the birthmother Some agency may charge a set fee The cost could be between $10,000-$30,000

33. Single-Parent Adoption International Adoption