Understanding the active role of parenting

Providing long-term care throughout a child’s life is important to make the most stable plan for both the expectant parents and the child’s life. Providing food, clothing, shelter, transportation, love, medical coverage, education, and parental guidance are a few of the areas that should be considered in providing stability for a child.

However, expectant parents facing unplanned pregnancies who do not feel equipped to take on these parenting roles due to current life circumstances are not without hope – there are resources and agencies available to help you prepare for parenting long-term.

10 Questions to think about when considering parenting

1. Where would you and your child live, and what are the pros and cons for both you and your child in this living arrangement?
2. If you plan to go to school or work, who will be caring for your child during the time you are at work or school?
3. How will you financially provide for the physical needs of your child such as diapers, clothes, formula, and food?
4. If the people who are currently telling you that they can help, become unable to help, what are possible backup plans?
5. What are the benefits of having an active father in your child’s life and in your life? Does your situation with the birth father provide these benefits?
6. What are your hopes and dreams for your child? What kind of childhood do you want your child to have? What do you want your home to feel like for your child?
7. What are your personal goals over the next five years in schooling and work, and how do you plan to achieve these goals?
8. How do you think parenting will affect you mentally and emotionally?
9. What are the pros and cons of a child being raised by a single parent?
10. What are the pros and cons of adoption?

It’s your choice to decide what is best for you and your child

If choosing to parent is the best option, it is important to be connected to a support system and resources that can help give your child the emotional and relational health that he or she needs, in addition to meeting physical needs.

Whether choosing to parent or to make an adoption plan, you will experience many beautiful and difficult moments.

Good parents make a plan for how their child will be cared for long-term (physically and emotionally), which can be accomplished by understanding and responsibly taking on the active parenting role for your child.