Raising a family is one of the most significant and meaningful decisions we can make. After having one child, you may be thinking about expanding your family, but this is a major decision that requires careful consideration of numerous factors. This post will take a look at these so that you can make an informed decision.
Finances
One of the primary factors to consider is finances. Children are expensive to raise, and it is not just things like nappies and food you need to think about. There are significant long-term financial commitments to consider, including education, housing, and much more. The average cost of raising a child from birth to 18 is £223,256, which works out to about £1,030 a month. You need to make sure that you have enough money to raise another child through to adulthood while putting away savings for your own future and retirement. Early planning can help with this.
Transport
Depending on the size of your family as it is currently, you may need a new set of wheels or even multiple vehicles. This may be a car with more seats and/or bigger interior space – remember, it’ll also need to hold everything from luggage to shopping. To make your finances go further, look for used cars with ample legroom, headroom, and cargo space. You will also want to find a vehicle with high safety ratings and the latest safety features.
Lifestyle
You will also need to consider your lifestyle – you need to make sure that another baby works for your listing family setup. Do you currently have a nice routine with your other children? Do you have childcare arrangements in place? Have you gone back to work, or are you considering doing so? Remember an infant will require all your time and effort once again, so you need to be in the right lifestyle situation to accommodate for this.
Relationship
Finally, you need to consider your relationship. A newborn can take its toll on your relationship – you can end up arguing from lack of sleep or who takes turns on the night shift. It isn’t always like this, though, and couples can work harmoniously together to raise children, but your relationship must be in a strong place. Looking after one child is very different from two or more, so take time to work on your relationship if needed before welcoming another baby.
These are the key factors to consider if you are thinking of adding to your family. Another child can be an incredible addition to your lifestyle and family, but it is also a major decision and one that must be carefully considered.
Love,
*This is a collaborative post