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There comes a time when couples start talking about being ready to start a family. It could be setting up a plan to get to the point of being ready in the near future. Several years might pass by before it is time to expand the family. Or, there could be an overwhelming feeling to become parents immediately. Whatever the status of the parental timeline is, questions need to be answered so that a couple is on the same page about starting a family. And when these questions are answered, they will know if they are ready to be parents.



Making the decision to become a parent is one that should not be taken lightly. This is why couples may think they understand that life changes forever after a child comes into the world, lives are truly never the same after babies are born. While most of the life changes are positive, there are some that can cause inconveniences. These are all things that couples need to be ready for, in conjunction with putting the needs of infants first. When they are ready to do this, they are on the right track to begin the journey of parenthood.

RELATED: How To Tell You’re Ready For Another Child, According To Moms Of Multiple Children

Here is how to know if you are ready to be a parent.


Know Why You Want To Have A Baby

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via Pexels/Ketut Subiyanto

The biggest question that couples need to ask themselves is why they want to have a baby. If it is to save a relationship, to provide companionship to half of the couple, or out of having a baby panic, then those simply are not good reasons. But, if the reasons are pure and genuine, it may be time to have a baby.

According to Mind Body Green, reasons to have a baby include:

  • Both partners are on the same page
  • A timeline box is not being checked
  • The relationship is healthy and happy between couples
  • Willingness to accept children for whomever they become

If parents agree on all of these things, they are showing they are ready to become parents.

Are Ready To Deal With Sleep Deprivation

parents sleeping with toddler in between awake
Credit: Shutterstock

Losing sleep as a new parent is not something to be taken lightly. As such, if the thought of no longer being able to sleep in is not something that scares couples, it may be a good sign that they are ready to be parents.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the biggest reasons that parents lose sleep at night include:

  • Nighttime feedings
  • Changing diapers
  • Trying to calm fussy babies

When this happens, parents will face sleep deprivation. If these are not scary things to think about for couples, and they think they are up to the task of handling, they are ready to become parents.

Enjoy Spending Time With Babies & Kids

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via Pexels/Yan Krukov

Some people genuinely enjoy spending time with babies and kids. Both of these are good indicators that couples are ready or will shortly be ready to start the journey of parenthood.

Those who may not have had a lot of time around babies or kids may not know how they feel about them. But if there is a desire to want to be around them, even if it is just their own babies, couples are likely ready to be parents.

Are Emotionally Ready To Have A Baby

dad with two toddlers hanging on him
Credit: Shutterstock

Knowing if couples are emotionally ready to have babies can be hard to track. It, however, is possible.

According to Bright Horizons, ways that couples will know they are emotionally ready to have a baby include:

  • Have a plan to deal with stress in place
  • Know they will make parenting mistakes but that they do not make them failures
  • Have a support network to rely on
  • Can look to one another for support

When couples are emotionally healthy and have tools to keep them that way when they are ready to become parents, they are in a good place to bring a baby into the world.

Are Physically Ready To Have A Baby

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via Pexels/Edi Gabriel

Many times, the physical health of women is the only thing that is looked at when couples think they are ready to be parents. But it is both parts of the couple that needs to be healthy when the time comes to expand the family with a baby.

According to WakeMed, ways for women to be physically ready to have a baby include:

  • Living a balanced lifestyle
  • Eating healthy
  • Exercising regularly
  • Not smoking
  • Taking prenatal vitamins

Ways for men to be physically ready to start a family, according to PregnancyBirth&Baby include:

  • Being a healthy weight
  • Not smoking
  • Decreasing intake of alcohol
  • Limiting exposure to chemicals at work

If both men and women are in the best shape possible when they decide to start a family, they will be in a good position to be ready to welcome little ones into the world with few to no health complications to deal with.

Source: Mind Body Green, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Bright Horizons, WakeMed

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