As a parent, you have a huge responsibility to your child. There are lots of different decisions that you will be a part of transforming everything about who your child is and who they become.
Breastfeeding Or Not?
First, you should consider whether or not you should breastfeed your child. Ultimately, this is going to be a completely personal decision. It depends about the way you feel and whether or not you struggling with breastfeeding. If you are struggling – and some women do – then there are alternatives. While there are a lot of health benefits to breastfeeding, it’s not always going to be possible and that’s okay.
When Is The Right Time To Get A Phone?
A phone is going to be a big decision. There’s no right or wrong time when you should get phone for your child. Again, it’s another personal preference but if you give them a phone too early, then you might be putting them at risk. Particularly, if they have a smart phone and can access online search engines.
When Can They Start Dating?
Do think about when you should let your kids start dating. The general consensus is around twelve years old. But it’s all about thinking in terms of how mature they are and particularly their emotional maturity.
Piercings & Tattoos?
As your children get older they will start pushing boundaries, this could include getting piercings and tattoos. If your child looks old enough then they may not even need to ask your permission before they get these things done. Although they will need your permission if they are under 16. If you are open and honest with your children then you can speak to them about what they want and where to get it done. For example, this is the best place to get belly button rings.
What School Should They Go To?
Another thing that is never too early to think about is which school you would like your child to go to. If you live in an area that lacks schools then you might need to move before your child starts school, so you know they will get in there. Before schools comes nursery and there are some nurseries out there with long wait lists. When your child is born, speak to local nurseries in your area to see what the kind of wait list is like and if you need to get your baby on there.
Should You Go For A Diagnosis?
Lastly, if you start to notice something not quite right with your child then you may be wondering whether you should go to the doctors and mention it. You may not want to be seen as a hypochondriac parent, however, doctors will never think that. It is always best to get your child seen rather than ignoring the issue. There are a load of cognitive and behavioral related conditions in children these days such as autism and attention deficit disorder. This can make family life and mixing with society difficult. Parents may wonder whether a diagnosis will help or hinder their child in life, only they truly know the answer.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key development decisions that can influence who your child becomes and their potential future.