Title: Evaluate personal readiness for becoming a parent.
Course: Child Development and Parenting (19255-18) > Section: Analyzing Parenting Roles and Responsibilities

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?