Are You Ready for Another Child? 3 Things to Consider...

**Collaborative Post**

Having a baby is a huge decision whether it is your first, second, or fifth! It can be a daunting decision to make as often lots of things will change and there are lots of things to consider too, all of which should of course be discussed with your partner. Perhaps you have mixed feelings about wanting a second child? If so then you need to carefully work through the way that you feel so you can make sure that you are making the best decision for both you and your family.

Making the decision about having another baby is not something that can be rushed and there are lots of things to consider. Of course, there are the practical and financial side of things to think about, but there are also a few questions you need to ask yourself (and your partner) first, here are 3 things to consider when thinking about having another baby. 

The Way You Feel

The first thing you need to do is assess your feelings. Having a baby means you starting all over again. This includes every phase you might have loved, as well as the phases you hated. Even if you have more than one child to take care of, you have to remember that burnout is real. You also have to remember that the newborn stage is gruelling and that when your baby becomes a toddler, things become even more complex. You will also be older now, which in some instances, can make it a little difficult for you to get pregnant. If you feel as though you need some help with your pregnancy then talk with your doctor, and ask your partner if they would like to explore male fertility. 

The Way Your Partner Feels 

If you have a partner then at times, it may feel as though your relationship is strained and that their head and heart are simply not in the same place as your own. Instead of trying to please your partner, and have them please you, you do need to make sure that you step back from the situation and that you give it a bit of time.  Talk to each other about why you would like another child and also go through your reasons. At the end of the day, neither of you should be compromising, so make sure that you are open with each other. If you have to revisit the topic of discussion at a later date then there’s nothing wrong with this, as long as you are being open and honest with each other.

The Way Your Child Feels

You also need to think about the way that your child feels. If you have a 7-year old then they may be excited about having another baby around and this is great. At the same time though, they may end up feeling jealous or betrayed. They may feel a mixture of emotions, but either way, you have to make sure that they are comfortable. You need to help them adjust and you also need to give them a lot of support throughout the process. If you can do this then you will be able to help them to come to terms with the whole thing and your family will be happier for it. Make sure that you have plenty of open conversions and make your child feel as though they can come to you at any time. If you can make sure that you do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to come to terms with the decision you are going to make and whether it is the right one. This is a great way for you to get the help you need.

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