Questions To Ask Yourself Before Having a Second Child

A lot of people choose to have more children after their first without giving it a second thought. After all, having a child is a wonderful experience which makes you a more compassionate and fulfilled person. While this is all true, having a second child isn’t just double the work, it is exponential.

Many people assume that it will be the same as it was the first time around. However, every pregnancy is different, every child is different, every personality is different. You never know if you are going to get a great sleeper or one that is awake for the first 5 years of their life. It is important to ask yourself whether you have the right tools in your life to be able to roll the dice and make changes to be able to accommodate whatever the new child presents you with.

Here are some of the most crucial questions to ask yourself before you and your partner opt to give it a go again.

Do You Have Enough Space In Your Home?

Children require ample room to engage in physical activities and to store their toys and clothing. It’s essential to assess your current living space critically and determine if it can comfortably accommodate an additional family member. If your existing home lacks the necessary space, one option is to explore the prospect of purchasing a new residence with more generous living quarters. You can facilitate this transition by enlisting the services of a reliable moving company. Once you do that, you can then consider planning your second child.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that immediate relocation for financial reasons might not always be feasible. In such cases, consider taking steps to gradually paying off your current mortgage so that you can move into a bigger space in the next few years.

Are You Able To Take Time Off Work?

If your job doesn’t accommodate a few months of maternity leave then it is probably either time to look for a new job before you start trying to have kids, or wait to have more kids until you can find new employment.

The stress of feeling like your employer doesn’t support your growing family isn’t worth the distress it causes during your pregnancy. Having an employer that has the same family values as you is crucial as a parent.

Is Your First Child Old Enough?

If your first child is under the age of 1 you might want to consider that they are still going to be quite a handful for the next 4 years and throwing a second child into the mix is going to add a considerable amount to your plate.

You and your partner should discuss what a good age difference is between your children and plan accordingly.