Evaluation should include

• summarizing the emotional, social, intellectual, physical, financial, and occupational rewards and challenges of parenting
• identifying ways in which the parenting role may change one’s life
• limits on personal time and freedom
• changes in personal relationships
• increased financial pressures
• feelings of frustration, confusion, isolation, and loneliness
• frequent exhaustion
• developing solutions for the challenges the parenting role may present
• analyzing one’s reasons for wanting or not wanting to become a parent, based on personal beliefs and values, social customs, and physical and emotional needs
• analyzing life stages and  in the context of becoming a parent (e.g., age, finances, socioeconomics, emotional maturity, evaluating the transition to parenting)
• assessing practical considerations related to parental preparedness
• financial stability and availability of necessary resources, (e.g., transportation, employability)
• physical and mental health; emotional maturity
• relationship with spouse or partner
• managerial and coping skills
• knowledge of human growth and development. 

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

• What changes occur when a couple makes a sound decision to start a family? What are the consequences when people become parents for unsound reasons?
• What factors support successful parenting? What factors inhibit successful parenting?
• How does a good relationship between parents help build a strong family?
• Why is age a factor in becoming parents? At what age is an individual ready to become a parent?
• What factors help to determine when individuals are ready to become parents?
• What are alternatives to not giving birth to a child? How does this affect the challenges of parenting?
• What contradictions exist between the perception of parenthood and the actual realities of parenthood?

Communication

• What does a person need to believe about parenting to become a successful parent?
• What communication skills will help evaluate readiness for parenthood?
• What resources are available to help one determine if they are ready to become a parent?

Leadership

• What are the consequences of becoming a parent too soon?
• What resources are available if one needs childcare?
• How can others be encouraged to consider readiness factors before becoming a parent?

Management

• How can the actions of a prospective parent support or constrain the development of their future children?
• What management skills will help evaluate readiness for parenthood?