The Mom Kind Could you use a few helpful suggestions for dealing with the massive responsibility of becoming a parent for the first time? Luckily, many face the prospect of becoming new moms and dads every year, so there are plenty of tried-and-true hacks and tips that can assist you in the busiest time of your life. The challenge of raising a child, particularly for those who have never done so before, means changing your everyday life in countless ways.
Parenting Hacks for First-Time Moms and Dads
But how can people better prepare themselves to take on the challenge? For working professionals, it’s essential to research local daycare providers far in advance. Other worthwhile tactics include starting a college fund, refinancing your college loans to free up some much-needed cash in the monthly budget, looking into the option of homeschooling, scoping out larger homes to accommodate a growing family, and taking online or in-person parenting classes. The following details offer a guide on using several effective parenting hacks that can make any parent’s daily life less stressful.
Research Daycare Options
For working people, daycare can be one of the most significant single expenses during those years before a child enters preschool. The challenge is that the quality and availability of programs vary widely from region to region. You likely want to find the best childcare services, so spend some time researching what’s available in your area. Don’t assume lower prices indicate low quality. Likewise, never fall into the trap of thinking the costliest daycare options are the best for your child.
Refinance Existing Student Loans
Perhaps the most efficient way to financially prepare for the birth of a child is to deal head-on with your existing education debt. Couples who opt for a NaviRefi student loan refinance agreement can either consolidate several loans into a single obligation or refinance one loan and get lower payments and generally more favorable terms. For multiple reasons, refinancing your current education debt into a brand-new loan package makes sense. The upshot of the move is that new mothers and fathers can get some much-needed financial relief by doing so. Explore your refinancing options for more advantageous repayment terms, better rates, and lower monthly payments.
Set Up a College Fund
Don’t wait to set up a college fund for your offspring. There are several ways to pursue this process, but the best is probably the federal 529 series of options. The arrangement is similar to how Roth IRAs are organized. In other words, you can put after-tax money into the plan every year, but when it’s withdrawn to cover college costs, there is no tax on the interest or growth. However, plan details vary from state to state because they are administered locally. Check your state’s rules to ensure that the local version of a 529 meets your financial goals.
Consider Homeschooling
The homeschooling movement is proliferating as millions of families elect to work at the neighborhood level to educate their children. There are numerous reasons behind the popularity of this kind of educational choice. The bottom line for new parents is that it’s best to check out what’s available asap. That way, they can be ready to place their kids into quality home-school programs at the age of four or five.
Start Shopping for a Larger Home
The real estate market is entirely unpredictable. If you plan on having more than one child, consider searching now for a home that can accommodate your need for more space. Even if you don’t plan to move for a few years, becoming familiar with the market, price levels, and the best agencies to work with never hurts.
Putting Everything Together
Bringing a baby into the world is a massive responsibility. Maybe that’s why parents-to-be spend so much time planning and saving before the big day arrives. The good news is that you can do plenty to make the transition to parental life less stressful and more exciting. Eventually, after the initial shock of adding the title of Mom or Dad to your lifestyle resume, the above tactics can continue to assist in your quest to educate, protect, provide for, and raise your child in a positive, nurturing environment.
The Mom Kind
Alicia Trautwein is an Autism advocate, writer, motivational speaker, and dedicated mom of four. Alicia’s desire to advocate for Autism comes from her own autism diagnosis and that of her three children, niece, and brother. Her life’s mission is to educate on autism acceptance and change the world for future generations of autistic individuals.
