JaeByrd’s Nest

I see babies raising babies, while friends are waiting in adoption lines, and it bothers me. Do these kids even think about the long term? What is best for the baby?

Having and raising a baby isn’t something to be taken lightly. It is physically, emotionally, and financially draining. It ain’t easy. It is not all cute cuddly fun. And it doesn’t come cheap.

Financially: How Much Does it Cost to Have a Baby? On average around $9000-$11,000. For the first YEAR.  Life in the Fast Lane Breaks it down a little more on an item by item basis. That is just the first year. You’ve got at least another 17 after that.

No more trips. No more designer clothing. No more a lot of things. You brought a life into the world you need to take care of that life before what makes YOU happy. Oh, I’ll just work to offset the cost? Quality Day Care will cost you almost as much as you make. If you’re very young, probably more. So all of that on Dad’s income flipping burgers?

Emotionally: Are you really prepared for getting up all night, changing diapers all the time, not having time to hang out with friends or at parties because you need to take care of your baby? For crying jags that last for hours? For putting aside your wants and even some needs for the sake of what the baby needs?

Physically: That body is going for a ride. You will never be the same as you once were. Those first few months are draining. Sleep deprivation is quite normal. Yet, you have responsibilities as a parent and that comes before just sleeping like you want to.

Are you really prepared for that? Are you willing to give up what you want for what is best for the baby? Are you expecting/assuming the grandparents are going to shoulder the burden? They already did their responsibility and raised their kids. Now you want them to take on YOUR responsibilities? Think about it…

Having a baby can be a wonderful, rewarding, joyful, blessing. When brought into a mature, loving, committed, stable, 2 parent Marriage. One that is willing and able to make the sacrifices needed to raise a healthy contributing member of society. Is that what you’re giving your child?

Parenting Lessons Don’t Stop Toddler Tantrums

They compared a group of mothers and children that went through a “Parent training programme” with a group that didn’t. At the end of 2 years:

“….  there was no significant difference in the level of behaviour problems in the children, or in the mental health of the mothers.”

I think that just about says it all.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/01/09/mean.mom.ap/index.html 
Meanest Mom on Planet Sells Son’s Car.

I love it! Rules are rules. He only had two: Keep it locked and no booze. No booze means just that. Be it yours or others. You just get the car at Thanksgiving and you can’t even keep the rules for 3 whole months?

When you break the rules you suffer the consequences. If more parents actually stuck to their guns and had a little school of hard knocks training going on maybe the youth of today wouldn’t be such a mess.

Kudos to the parents.