14 DAY TRIAL // It’s normal for parents to be anxious when they’re expecting their first child, especially since the birth means their life until then has to change altogether. Preparations must be made in all areas, from buying diapers and child-proofing the house to learning how to cope with certain situations but, no matter the amount of time invested into that, young dads will always feel more prepared than mothers for the big event, a new study conducted by insurance company Aviva reveals.
This can be explained by the split of attributions throughout the months leading up to the actual birth, Aviva says. At the end of the period, two thirds of men (an estimated 67 percent) say they feel ready for the baby, while mothers only do so in a smaller percentage of 52 percent. Similarly, women are most likely to have moments in the first six months when they have panic attacks and declare they’re overwhelmed by the situation.
“First-time dads take responsibility for securing the family’s financial wellbeing, with one in five (20%) sorting out the family finances during pregnancy, and just over one in three (35%) most concerned about balancing work and home life and financial matters (27%) over the first six months. In contrast, first-time mums take responsibility for birthing preparations, with just under a quarter (24%) solely responsible for organizing antenatal classes, overnight bags and hospital routes. And even though, before birth, 15% of mums prepare for the emotional impact of having a child, one in three (35%) still feel they have not prepared enough. This is compared to just 15% of men,” Aviva says of the recently conducted study.
On the bright side, it’s wonderful to note that, unlike the old generation, parents today feel more prepared and better equipped for the arrival of a child. The recession has made the numbers of parents worrying about finances spike, while more and more also trouble themselves about whether they’ll be able to properly joggle work and family life. One way to get rid of part of the problem is to plan things ahead and see that they are covered with the help of a financial instrument like those Aviva offers even to young parents.
“New parents put themselves under huge pressure to be completely prepared for having a baby. It is a life-changing event and, in all likelihood, all the preparation in the world will not make you feel 100 percent ready. New parents should decide what factors will help them feel most in control, then take small steps to achieve them. As a parent myself, I found that some basic financial behaviors can help you to feel much more in control and prepared for supporting a baby. This includes saving, budgeting for one wage and limiting the amount spent on kit for the new baby, but also putting in place some financial protection, such as life cover,” Louise Colley, head of protection for Aviva, says in a statement.