Postby SnEptUne » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:43 am
One of the most significant budget for baby care is time, and diapers :p
Is there "wash cloth" program in your area, so that you can use cloth instead of diaper? I heard there are services like that where they give you cloth, and you return them back to soiled cloth, so that they can clean it up and reuse it. It is much more environmental friendly, and cheaper.
In fact, back in the old days, who uses diapers anyway, it is only a luxury for the rich folks. I grew up using "cloth" instead of diapers, and kids using diapers tend to take longer to learn to control their bowel.
Secondly, you may want to see if there are parental programs in your area, that tell you what needed to be considered when raising kids. As for food, nothing beat breast milk, so finance shouldn't be too big a deal until solid food is needed. It isn't just about nutrition, there are many good bacteria and antibodies provided by breast milk that will help ensure your kid's survival. If you are a working lady, there is breast milk pump where you can pump out the milk beforehand, but it must be properly stored and refrigerated.
You don't always have to use the baby formula (isn't that just a marketing scheme), but you would have to be very careful what you feed the kid. In the long run, it is much better to get education regarding foods and nutrition for the kid than just buying over-the-counter baby foods.
Being a parent is a very demanding task, but it can be also very rewarding. Try to learn and be what is best (but not spoiling) for the children so that they can grew up strong. We are not perfect, but we can be the best for what we can.
Don't be too concern about gaining weight when pregnant, as it is normal. You will lose most of the fat gained by breast feeding. Also, be very careful about your diet and health. The first few weeks of the fertilized egg is the most critical time. Granted, most of the time, the egg will just die if say you had alcohol, caffeine, or is smoking (second handed) etc... What is worst is when it lived, and developed all sorts of problem. So eat healthy and stay healthy for both you and your kids, whether you have confirmed you are pregnant or not.
And as always, be a critical thinker. There are many opinions regarding parenting, so you would have to judge for yourselves.
[SIZE="1"]Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)[/SIZE]