If I could do it all over again, I’d prepare more prior to the birth of my first child. I really had no clue how something as “simple” as having a child would drastically change my life! Having said that , let me assure you that I haven’t for a minute regretted having children, but I now know that I could have made the transition to parenthood slightly easier. By decreasing the following things now, you’ll assure that the transition into a parenting role will go that much more smoothly.

1. Decrease the stress. Stress is not a good thing even if you aren’t pregnant! While pregnant, I noticed that the amount of stress I felt affected my blood pressure and even the severity of my morning sickness. This might not be true for you, but nevertheless, reducing stress is a great idea. What do you stress over? What steps can you take to reduce the impact of these things in your life?
2. Decrease the debt. Debt was one of the main things I stressed over during my pregnancies! It may or may not be possible to reduce your debt before you get pregnant, but taking a look at your debts and creating a plan to keep that debt load manageable is well worth the time and effort. If you(or your mate) decides to change careers or stay at home after the birth of your child, having less debt will definitely make the transition an easier one.
3. Decrease the weight. This may not be possible, or it may not even be an issue for you. However, being a healthy weight at the time of conception is a bonus for you and your baby! Studies have shown that increased maternal weight can lead to pregnancy complications and an easier delivery.
4. Decrease the clutter. This was a big one for me because I already had four children before our son was born and the amount of clutter was astounding! In order to have room for all the stuff that would come with the baby(the high chair, the crib, the playpen, the stroller, the swing…you get the idea), we needed to put the house on a diet. If you need help or encouragement along the way, I recommend checking out the “FlyLady” website for some practical and simple ways to begin.
5. Decrease the amount of caffeine and junk food in your diet. It is easier to make changes in your diet gradually, working towards the goal of an overall healthier diet over time. A healthier diet will benefit both you and your baby!
6. Decrease the conflict. The added responsibilities that go along with parenting can strain even the best of relationships as you and your mate adjust to life post-baby. Talk with your mate about the changes that are happening and take the time to listen to concerns that he or she may have about the future. If you have any longstanding or difficult issues that continue to cause conflict in your relationship prior to the baby, consider addressing them with a counselor or mediator to try to minimize or solve the issues before the baby arrives.

Tags: debt, family, Finances, Health, negativity, reducing, stress, weight control