Am I ready to parent my baby? We have the information you need

Roughly half of the women who conceive in the United States weren’t planning on having a baby. So don’t feel bad if you find yourself pregnant and asking yourself, “Am I ready to parent?” Having a child is a huge, lifelong responsibility, and if you think you might not be ready, you owe it to yourself to explore all of your options. Whether you’re asking, “Should I keep my child?” or are already exploring the possibility of adoption, our experienced team can help you understand both adoption and parenting in Florida, so you can make a realistic plan for your future.

Regardless of whether you know the answer to the question, “Am I ready to parent?,” it’s very important to take care of yourself, now that you know you are pregnant.

• See a doctor
• Start taking prenatal vitamins, including a folic acid supplement, which can prevent certain birth defects
• Don’t drink alcohol or use drugs
• If you smoke, stop smoking, and talk to your doctor if you need help

Am I ready to parent?

The truth is, only you can know if you are able to provide the life that you would want for your child. When you’re asking, “Am I ready to be a parent?,” you might also be asking, “Is my partner ready to be a parent?” Both are valid questions, as the father will play an important role in your child’s future.

For some women, the answer to “Should I keep my child?” depends on whether marriage is on the table. Raising a baby is a challenge, and a supportive partner can make all the difference. Getting married is often a good path for couples who are already in love, committed to each other, and dedicated to raising a child together – through thick or thin. But marrying someone just because you’re pregnant, and not because you love each other or share the same values and goals, can make parenting together that much harder.

In other cases, women feel strongly that they can raise a baby as a single parent. If you’re considering this, know that although your answer to “Am I ready to parent?” may be yes, you’ll still need a support network of friends and family to help you through the exhausting newborn months, challenging toddler years, and decades beyond. There are many expenses and time commitments that come along with parenting, and while countless amazing, strong women like you have done it beautifully, it’s wise to be realistic as you consider the decisions ahead of you.

Reach out for unbiased help and support

We are a licensed Florida adoption agency, and under the law, we can’t – and wouldn’t – pressure you to choose adoption over parenting your child. What we can and will do is provide information and facts about what parenting is really like.

• A realistic assessment of your situation, including your support network, relationships, housing status, lifestyle and financial aspects
• Evaluation of job resources and the real costs of childcare in your area
• Expenses associated with medical care, birth and postpartum recovery
• Time commitments involved in raising a child at all stages of life, from newborn to age 18 and beyond
• Considerations of what kind of opportunities you want your child to have

If you’re wondering, “Should I keep my child?,” we are here for you

We encourage you to reach out to our experienced, unbiased counseling team for help with planning your next steps. Unplanned pregnancy can make you feel like you don’t know where to turn, but we want you to know that we are here to help you, no matter what you decide to do next. Contact us any time, day or night, to speak with a counselor who can help you realistically evaluate your options. There is no cost to you for our services, so don’t wait to get the facts and support you need.