Chapter 3 THE DECISION TO PARENT QUESTION What

QUESTION � What expectations do you have about parenthood? � Are they positive, negative

THE DECISION TO PARENT � The decision to parent is one of the most

FACTORS TO CONSIDER ……. BEFORE PARENTING! � Your Goals: � Short term and long

READINESS FOR PARENTHOOD � Are YOU ready? Is your PARTNER ready? � THE MARITAL

READINESS FOR PARENTHOOD CONTINUED � Acting With Responsibility: � Mature enough to understand what

YOUR AGE AND HEALTH � � � Biologically for women, the ages between 20

HIGH RISK PARENTING � Teen � � Parenting Health risks Social and emotional problems

DECISION MAKING � See page 68 and 69 � SPECIAL BABIES � handout RISKS

WARM UP QUESTION � Ann and Eric have been married for three years and

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Chapter 3 THE DECISION TO PARENT

QUESTION � What expectations do you have about parenthood? � Are they positive, negative or realistic? � Please explain…

THE DECISION TO PARENT � The decision to parent is one of the most significant events that can occur in a person’s life. � WHAT INFLUENCES PARENTING DECISIONS? � Desire to express marital Love � Desire to be parents � Expectations about children: � Realistic expectations � Understand the pros and the cons � Pressures from family and friends � Desire to influence the partner

FACTORS TO CONSIDER ……. BEFORE PARENTING! � Your Goals: � Short term and long term goals � Individual vs. couple goals vs. parenting goals (pg 57) � Impact of Careers: � Dual-career family? � Stay at home parent? � Impact of Finances: � children � cost A LOT! “What It Costs To Raise A Child” pg 60

READINESS FOR PARENTHOOD � Are YOU ready? Is your PARTNER ready? � THE MARITAL RELATIONSHIP: � Is our marriage strong and secure? � Are we willing to work to keep our marriage the primary relationship in our lives? � How well do we communicate? � Do we generally agree or disagree?

READINESS FOR PARENTHOOD CONTINUED � Acting With Responsibility: � Mature enough to understand what children need � Be able to guide children � Able to make sacrifices for children � Acceptance of Lifestyle Changes � Maturity of Parenting: � see Erikson’s stage 7 (appendix A, page 594) � Knowledge � Do about Parenting: you have realistic expectations about parenting?

YOUR AGE AND HEALTH � � � Biologically for women, the ages between 20 -32 are considered the best for childbearing. Do you eat healthy? Do you stay away from harmful habits � � NO SMOKING!!!!! NO DRINKING!!!! Are you getting prenatal care? Are you genetically predisposed to passing on a congenital disease? � Some couples do not have children because of serious health issues, or predisposition to inherited genetic disorders

HIGH RISK PARENTING � Teen � � Parenting Health risks Social and emotional problems Education and career risks Financial risks � Delayed � � parenthood (over 40) Biological risk factors Financial and emotional stress � Grandparents � Half Raising Children of children who live with grandparents are under 6 � Results from 4 D’s: drugs, divorce, desertion, or death

DECISION MAKING � See page 68 and 69 � SPECIAL BABIES � handout RISKS FOR TEENS AND THEIR

WARM UP QUESTION � Ann and Eric have been married for three years and want to have a child. Ann is an architect and Eric is a lawyer. They both have high goals for their careers. They both plan to continue working after their child is born. They realize some challenges may arise. � 1. What type of challenges might Ann and Eric face? � 2. What can Ann and Eric do to overcome these challenges?