What Are My Options? - Parenting
What Are My Options? Parenting
Finding out that you are pregnant can be a shocking and stressful time, especially if it is unplanned. There are many things to consider when you are pregnant, but the most important question to ask yourself is, “what are my options?” Well, you can choose to either have an abortion, make an adoption plan, or parent the baby yourself. In this article, we will focus on the option of parenting and the resources available to help you raise your child. Here are some of the most important things to know about parenting.
What You Need to Know About Parenting
Parenting may seem like a scary undertaking, particularly if you didn’t plan on getting pregnant. However, even though it may seem like a really hard option, parenting can often end up being the best choice even if it is difficult to imagine at the moment. Parenting is a big responsibility and there are many different things to consider when choosing to raise your own child, such as:
Support System - While having a baby and being a parent is an exciting new journey, it takes a lot of energy and effort. Having a support system will not only help you raise your baby, but will also provide you with mental, physical, or spiritual help when you need it. You may have the beginnings of a support system and not even recognize it. Once you decide to parent your baby, the amount of support and help you receive can be surprising. Support can come from many unexpected sources, like co-workers throwing a baby shower to help provide essential items for the baby, or connecting with other moms through parenting education courses, whom you can call and text to encourage each other.
You may also want to consider asking local organizations to help you with community resources that are available to you. You may qualify for programs that help you with diapers, a car seat, or even housing. Look into groups in your area like church groups, new moms groups, breastfeeding support programs, as well as many other community groups that can offer support to you as a parent.
A Real Example From Life Forward - Emani, one of Life Forward's clients, shares about her experience and decision to parent her baby: "I knew right away that Life Forward was going to change my life. To be able to talk with someone about being a parent was very helpful." Just like Emani, you can find help and support at Life Forward.
Financial Stability - Striving for financial stability is a great goal for everyone, but it is not always easily attainable. Raising your own child will come with new expenses, like doctor visits, baby clothes, diapers, and formula. Think about your current financial situation and what you might need to do to cover the added expenses a baby will bring to your life. This often includes taking a look at your priorities and how you spend your money. Would you be willing to give up your favorite coffee drink or a new piece of clothing for yourself so you can have enough to buy things for your baby? These are the kinds of choices you might be faced with.
There are organizations, like Life Forward, that can help you get connected with community resources including healthcare and housing assistance to help ease your financial burden. Reflecting on your finances is important, but it shouldn't stop you from thinking that you can raise your child. Life Forward can refer you to no-cost personal finance classes that can help you learn the basics of budgeting as well as begin the process of clearing up any credit problems you may have. Solving these issues will help you become more financially stable and be able to provide for your child.
A Real Example From Life Forward - Melissa, Life Forward Client Services Director, shared some community resources with Mariah that might help her family receive additional food. Mariah’s text back to Melissa was: “I have a big family and we don’t have much to eat in our house right now. You have been so good to me. Thank you!”
Housing - Think about where you are living now. Is it safe for your baby? Would your baby have a place to sleep, cry, crawl, walk, play, and explore? What are steps that you could take now to provide a safe and decent home for your baby that also fits into your budget? Life Forward can provide you with housing resources that you may qualify for. We can also connect you with resources that help you evaluate your current housing and what kind of changes you could make to keep your baby safe and healthy. Reliable housing will provide stability and safety for your child as they grow up. It will also allow your family to establish roots and have a shared place to call home.
Lifestyle - If you decide to become a parent, the simple truth is that your lifestyle will change. So, you'll want to ask yourself some questions: How do I think my lifestyle will change when I have a baby to take care of? What things am I willing to give up in order to accommodate these changes? What are some good things that may come out of these changes? What is one thing that I enjoy about my current lifestyle that I can carry forward into my new life as a mom? How might this help me stay physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy? Life Forward provides one-on-one and group parent sessions that can help you think through some of these lifestyle changes and their impact upon you.
A Real Example From Life Forward - One example of someone whose decision to become a mom changed her life in a positive direction is Keyasiah. She shared this: "Besides the car seat and the other baby items I got from Life Forward, I’m also thinking differently about how I want to raise my baby. I don’t want her to grow up angry at life. I want her to know she’s loved - the kind of love that Life Forward showed to me."
Relationship With the Other Parent - You should also consider what your relationship is like with the father of the baby and what it will look like moving forward. Is the father of your baby willing to be a supportive part of your baby's life whether or not you plan to be together in the future? How would you describe your current relationship with the baby's father? Good? Unhealthy? Abusive? Potentially dangerous to your baby's safety? Life Forward offers parenting classes that can help you to evaluate your relationships including the relationship with the father of your baby.
Future Goals - Similar to your lifestyle, parenting a child can change the path you currently have laid out for your life. However, that doesn’t mean you still can’t accomplish the things that you want to, you will just be taking a different approach. Many parents still reach the goals they have for themselves, but on a different timeline. They also often feel a deep sense of accomplishment when they achieve these goals because of the obstacles they overcame.
A Real Example From Life Forward - Recently, Gabrielle stopped by Life Forward’s Clifton location with her beautiful baby boy. With tears of joy in her eyes, she shared how she had completed her GED and plans to continue her education.
While there are many considerations to make when thinking about raising your own child, it is an experience unlike any other that you can never truly understand until it happens to you. Parenting is a lot of work and can be extraordinarily challenging at times. But, as other parents will tell you, it is all worth it when you realize you’ve brought life into the world and you share a special bond with your child that is unique to the two of you.
Life Forward helps women and their families make life-affirming decisions through God’s love. We offer services to help you during your pregnancy like education and support, including our Upward parenting classes and Momentum parenting education programs, consultation, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and referrals to other community services at no cost to you. These resources can help you be more prepared during your pregnancy and make the best decision for yourself. Learn more about the services we offer or contact us at 513.961.7777 to schedule an appointment today!