Family Planning Do’s and Don’ts
Planning to start a family is a big and exciting decision. After pregnancy and a new addition, things will never be exactly the same again. Before you get started, there are some do’s and don’ts to consider that will make this next part of your adventure a success. If you’re considering starting a family and looking for a few tips, read on.
Do make plans.
The moment your baby comes, your world will change. Social situations, routines, hobbies, and even the amount of time you have with your partner will be different. Important questions you once had about how to further your career in medicine could quickly turn to worries about phone calls to the pediatrician about your baby’s developmental milestones. All of this is to be expected. Because of this, it’s a great idea to take care of the things you know you’ll regret putting off, now.
Maybe you’ve always wanted Invisalign treatment, but you’ve put it off since becoming a new teacher in Florida. While you thought you had plenty of time later on to weigh the pros and cons of Invisalign versus metal braces, you might want to reconsider now. In doing a quick Google search for ‘Invisalign in Orlando,’ now, you can check something important to you off your list long before the baby comes. This is the best way to ensure that you won’t have regrets later.
Don’t sweat the little things.
You have years ahead to worry about how to make the next parent-teacher conference a success. From meeting with teachers to discuss your child’s strengths and weaknesses, part of your child’s success will depend on your ability to let things go. The great news is that you can begin practicing now.
For many parents, it’s hard to let go. Whether it’s dropping your child off at school for the first time or being worried about human behavior and how your child will get along with other kids, there will be things coming soon that you can’t control. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of being able to distinguish the serious things from the little ones now. Practice on your spouse.
Perhaps you have a spouse, or even another family member, who leaves dirty dishes on the counter, forgets to shut lights off, or never takes their shoes off at the door. While this could be annoying or uncomfortable, a great way to practice for parenthood is to learn to let it go. Kids are messy. Like it or not, if you choose to have a family, a little dirt and chaos will come to your home, and you’ll be doing yourself a favor by learning to give up some control now.
Don’t neglect the relationship.
It can be difficult to maintain a sense of connection and true intimacy with your partner after the baby comes. While being busy giving your child a sense of belonging, it’s easy to lose that authentic connection if you don’t make a conscious effort to maintain it. Start good habits now. Make time for date nights, intimacy, and openness with your life partner now.
If you don’t know how to stop phubbing on your own, consider getting professional help.
Do stay open-minded.
Planning to start a family is fantastic. Problems come when that plan doesn’t work out or takes too long. Some couples have trouble getting pregnant, others experience a sudden change in circumstance, and many realize their top priorities have changed. If you think you want to get pregnant now, be patient and keep an open mind. Being willing to change timelines, consider adoption, push things off, or be open to life’s twists and turns will help you keep a positive mindset in the long run.
At the end of the day, no matter how you go about building your family, learning to let go of control, maintaining a connection to your partner, and keeping an open mind are the best ways to go. Happy family planning to you. May all your dreams come true!