Every good parent wants to do the best they can for their children. The good thing is you don’t have to wait until they’re born to start showing them love. You can start loving them when they’re still in the womb, and even BEFORE they’re conceived. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Lay the foundations for a strong, secure family. The best time to strengthen your nets is before the catch; similarly, your marriage ties and other important family relationships should be strengthened even before the kids come, for their emotional wellbeing. Being born into a chaotic marriage is not something your kids deserve, or will thank you for.
- Start taking your folic acid. Doctors advise women who are planning to get pregnant to start taking folic acid supplements about 3 to 6 months before conception; not just when you get pregnant. Taking your folic acid before and early on in pregnancy can reduce the risk of brain and spine birth defects by up to 70 percent. Yes, there are natural food sources of folic acid, but how often and how much do we eat them? Just take your tablet, please.
- Start saving more. Most parents are unprepared for just how expensive children are. Many of us believe that it is God who takes care of our babies, and while this is great, you will find that putting money aside towards childcare, even if it’s just a tiny percentage of your income, will help cushion the effect of “suddenly” being responsible for another human being who depends on you for food, clothing, and everything in between. If you can put the money into an investment account so that it yields more than a regular savings account would, that’s better.
- Exercise. If you’re already overweight or near-overweight, remember that you’ll gain even more weight during pregnancy. Being overweight during pregnancy is bad for your baby. Also, even if your weight is perfect, you still need to exercise. Why? A fit pregnancy is the best kind of pregnancy, and being a fit mum will make labour easier for you and your little one.
- Ditch your bad habits. If you smoke or drink, please quit before conceiving a baby. Alcohol and smoking can cause serious health problems for your baby, and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Start being a good parent now; show love to your unborn baby by your actions!