I can't remember many moments better than when we learned that we were expecting our first child. We had been married about 3 years and had wanted a baby right from the start, but he was not as anxious about it as we were, I guess! In any case, it was a great moment.
What we hadn't really done well was to count the cost of bringing a new little baby into our family. We had a two bedroom apartment, so that would work. But I was working at a job without health insurance benefits, so we actually did all of the pre-baby and then the labor and delivery at a local medical school for a total out of pocket cost of $400 (now 30+ years ago). But the crib, stroller, car seat and all that stuff took my a little by surprise. We appreciated so much the help we got from baby showers and family gifts that helped make it a little more realistic.
While the prospect of having a new baby is exciting and if what you and your partner want, it is good to understand what you are getting into financially when planning for a baby. Learn the questions to ask and how to prepare for the growing cost of having and raising a baby.
More help for expectant fathers:
- Getting the most out of your childbirth class
- What every dad should know about labor
- Creating a birth plan
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