Having kids changes your life forever. It’s a wonderful part of life, that’s for sure, but you’re only young and childless once. So before the little rugrats start determining your every move, live a little with these 10 things you should do before having kids:Â
- Travel. Sure, you can still go on vacation once you have kids, but it’ll never be the same. You’ll be traveling under PG restrictions and you’ll still have to keep the kids entertained. Enjoy the freedom of relaxation and the wine tours while you can.
- Get a dog. If you can’t manage to take care of a dog, you certainly won’t be able to care for a child. Having a pet teaches you responsibility and ensures that you can keep another living thing alive. Plus, your dog will be there as your only child that doesn’t talk back.
- Move. Where in the world do you want to live? It’s a move you should make before having kids, or you might never do it. After all, it’s one thing to uproot your own life, but it’s another thing entirely to uproot a child.
- Get married or at least seriously committed. Sounds pretty obvious, doesn’t it? Well, these days it’s not. It’s not about the whole having a kid out of wedlock is a sin complaint, it’s about a stable environment for the child. No adult is a fan of divorce, and no kid is, either.
- Enjoy your sex life. Anywhere and everywhere. Definitely every room in your house. After you have kids, you just won’t have the time, so enjoy the spontaneous passion while it lasts.
- Celebrate. Whether it’s your birthday, a new promotion, or you just spent the past three years as a couple, go all out. Any reason to celebrate is a great reason to party. Looking back, you’ll remember these good times, and won’t have the regret of not letting loose before you settled down.
- Be spontaneous. Don’t make plans — wait until the very last minute for a weekend road trip or a crazy night out with your girls. When you’re a mom, you’ll need a plan for everything, so enjoy the spontaneity of your schedule while you can.
- Splurge. Kids are expensive, and you should always be saving for your future, but while you have the cash, spend a little just on you. Lavish yourself in prestige makeup, the perfect accessory, and designer jeans. It’s the best time to give your credit card a workout and your wardrobe a makeover (as long as you can truly afford it).
- Get your self-care on. Join a fitness class, enjoy your spa days, and pamper yourself as much as possible. Get a blowout, visit the nail salon, and polish your skin with the perfect facial. Enjoy your pre-baby bod and you’ll look back and appreciate that you used every minute while you could.
- Have date night. Plan a weekly date night and make it a part of your normal routine. This is the only time it will be just you and your partner, so enjoy it. Bond with each other, go out, and have some fun. You’ll be busy playing Mom and Dad soon enough.
