BC Coast sky-photo




Having kids, a big decision.

Would I be a good parent?

Some very brief thoughts on this.


There are obvious considerations of finances, hours in the day, daycare and its costs. Get those sorted out first. Now consider this: To be successful parents you need to be ready to commit fully to child number one.(and later to others if there are others) That child becomes your full focus. You need to spend most of your available hours with them. Each of you, either together or separately. Start during pregnancy, focusing on that baby. From the moment of birth be there for them. If you both work out of the home, which is likely, try to organize so you get different days off. Maybe one or both of you can switch to four day work weeks with different work days from each other. This baby is your new life, you want to be there for them! From day one the child will know if they are your main priority.

Now here is the first catch. We all have a tendency to parent as we were parented. If you, as parents and as people, are extremely well adjusted then it's likely you will be totally fine as parents of your new baby. If not, then not, unless you and your spouse sort it all out together and decide to do better, and write out for yourselves what doing better will look like.

Kids are often smarter than we think, but, compared to us there is a lot they don't know. One parenting job is to teach them as much as we can, starting from day one. Part of doing this is to converse with them regularly when we are walking or sitting or eating. Answer their questions honestly: in a more simple way sometimes, when they are younger. Remember, they are your priority! As they start interacting with the world they will soon be with adults other than you and your spouse and soon enough with other kids.Whether you know it or not, kids need to be kept safe. The way you keep your kids safe, is by having them tell you everything that is going on in their lives. The reason they will do this is because they trust you because you are there for them and interested in them and their day.

Resources that make your life easier
  1. "Hold On To Your Kids,"a book by Neufeld and Mate 2004. New or library or used, some around.
  2. Grandparents, Godparents, trusted friends, good neighbors etcetera: These are resources you need, choose them and use them with care
  3. Your Bible, get a kids version for the kids
  4. Your church, if you join one.