10+ Signs You’re Ready To Have Kids

1. You've Both Decided To Get A Pet

Image Source / IndependentMost pet owners - particularly of cats and dogs - will tell you that it's like being a parent of a furry child, and that's why getting a pet together is a huge step for couples. It shows you can care for something with shared responsibility, as well as 'raising' something together if you've got a puppy or a kitten!

2. And Suddenly You Want The Responsibility

Image Source / RedditA lot of couples go through that phase of wanting no other responsibilities so that they have the freedom to do what they want, when they want, together, such as partying or spontaneous vay-cays. For some people, this feeling never goes away, but for others, it can change to suddenly wanting more responsibility - like a pet... or a child.

3. You're Both Dropping Hints About Kids

Image Source / RedditYou might not have had an outright conversation about it, but you might be dropping hints like salt bae drops.. well, salt. You might have seen a cute kid out and about and said 'aw they're cute aren't they' and then gauged your partner's reaction. Or you might have said you want kids 'some day' and they've agreed.

4. Or You May Have Given Each Other Meaningful Looks

Image Source / RedditYou can tell a lot about a person based on the way they're looking at you, particularly if it's your partner. So if you're both dropping hints about kids and then giving each other 'the look', it could indicate that you're saying (without actually saying it), "Sooo... are we having kids or not?".

5. You Find Yourself Staring At Pregnant People

Image Source / RedditNot in a weird or creepy way (or at least we hope not) but you've suddenly found yourself taking more of an interest in pregnant people you see out in public. They might have been invisible to you before because the idea of kids just wasn't on your radar, but now you're seeing pregnant people everywhere.

6. You're Thinking What It Would Be Like To Be Pregnant

Image Source / RedditTo take it one step further, you might have actually spent time pondering what it would feel like to be pregnant. You might have started looking at your stomach in the mirror and poking and prodding, thinking about what it would be like to be carrying a baby, or thinking about the best ways you'd stay comfortable when pregnant.

7. You Might Even Have Started Taking Active Pregnancy Prep Steps

Image Source / TODAYNothing 'official', but you might have started scouting out for maternity clothing stores nearby, or maybe deciding to check your maternity or paternity clause in your work's contract - just so you know what you'd do, hypothetically, of course... until it's not hypothetical.

8. You Both Enjoy Spending Time Around Children

Image Source / POPSUGARThis one is always going to be a good sign, if you simply can't get enough of being around children. You may find yourself interacting more with kids and babies in public if they make faces at you or wave, or you might be the first to volunteer to babysit your loved one's kids.

9. And You're Actually Great With Children

Image Source / TODAYOf course, enjoying spending time with children doesn't mean that you're necessarily good at it. So it always helps if you're actually fantastic with kids and get along swimmingly. This bodes well for when you have children of your own and know that you'll be confident in bonding with them!

10. You're Suddenly Thinking Differently About Bad Habits

Image Source / RedditHave you been a lifelong smoker suddenly thinking about quitting because you're realising it might harm the baby? Or have you decided to cut back on alcohol or switch to a really healthy diet because you want your body to be in its best condition, subconsciously because you're considering a healthy pregnancy?

11. You've Always Been Surrounded By Kids And Family - And You Love It

Image Source / RedditSome people grow up in huge families, with brothers and sisters and then becoming an aunt or an uncle when they start raising their own brood. You've always had loads of family members and young kids around you growing up, and you can't imagine your life without that.

12. You Don't Mind The Mess That Comes With Kids

Image Source / RedditIf you're used to babysitting and having kids round who knock over your belongings or draw on your walls without you batting an eye, that bodes well for you. If you're used to having drinks spilled on your couch or ice cream thrown at your top and you don't mind, this also bodes well!

13. You Don't Have A Meltdown If Your Things Are Broken

Image Source / RedditIt's understandable to be annoyed if a possession you really love has been broken (especially if it was expensive). But unfortunately breakages are going to happen if you have kids, so you need to be sure that you're not going to have a full on meltdown every time something breaks.

14. You're Both Really Laid Back People

Image Source / RedditThat isn't to say that people who are uptight can't be great parents, but it helps if you're laid back people. And this means a good balance between being laid back but not too 

laid back - because kids need discipline after all. But it's a good sign if you're pretty chill when it comes to what happens in your home.

15. You Make A Point Of Stopping To Speak To Parents In The Street

Image Source / Sustainably Chic

If a parent passes you in the street pushing a stroller, how likely are you to stop them to comment on how cute their baby is and then talk to them for at least 10 minutes about their kid or their life as a parent? If it's very likely this happens on a daily basis, it's a sign you're obviously invested in the young ones.

16. You Go A Bit Gooey When You See A Baby

Image Source / RedditWhat's your reaction when you see a baby, no matter whether it's a family member or a random baby in the street? Does your heart melt and your body go all gooey when you see their little faces or even get a whiff of that new baby smell? That could be your maternal or paternal instincts kicking in!

17. And You're Both Having That Reaction

Image Source / RedditOf course, to be ready for children with someone means you both need to be going gooey at the sight of babies. If you are but your partner isn't, it might not be the right time for you to have kids just yet! But if you're both equally gooey and happy to spend time around babies, that's a great sign!Many parents will tell you that nights out are a no-go with a child, at least when they're young and you don't want to depend on a babysitter every night. So if you're already someone who loves staying in anyway and a night in is your version of a night out, this bodes well when you're inside with the kiddies!

19. And You're Not A Huge Fan Of Spontaneous Plans

Image Source / RedditAlong with nights out, another thing which children can put a stop to is spontaneous plans, like whisking yourself off on an impromptu weekend away. So if you've never been a fan of that anyway, it's a good thing if you want children because freedom to make last minute plans might go out the window.

20. You Don't Have A Huge Social Life - And That's Okay

Image Source / RedditNow, that's not to say that you can't have a social life and be a parent. But if you're someone who has never been a very social person or who wouldn't feel like they're missing out on a million parties with a million friends, it'll make staying in with a child and having limited free time much easier if you're not missing your active social life.

21. You're An Early Riser

Image Source / RedditIf you're not already, you'll need to be if you become a parent! But it's always a bonus if you're already someone who can easily get up at the crack of dawn, because chances are a kid will be waking you up at that time every day anyway. If you're not someone who is going to miss long lie ins, it's a good sign.

22. You Both Have A Big Chunk Of Savings

Image Source / Yahoo FinancePreparing for a child also means preparing for the financial needs, which is why it's always a help for new parents to get ahead with money before the baby comes along. So if you're someone who has already started saving, or if you have a decent amount of money saved as a couple, this is only going to work in your favor for a new baby!

23. You're Debt-Free

Image Source / RedditIt's never ideal to get into a new financial commitment when you're already struggling with debt - and a baby is a huge financial commitment. So if you're someone who doesn't have to worry about debt and is in a great financial situation, this is the right time to consider starting a family!

24. You Feel Like You've Grown As People

Image Source / RedditThere's a certain point in your life where 'oh god I'm not ready for a kid, I can't even look after myself' turns into 'I'm a more responsible adult' and this can be great news if you're preparing for a baby. You might feel like you and your partner have finally grown into those responsible people you need to be in order to be great parents!

25. And You're Both More Patient Than You Used To Be

Image Source / Vancouver Is AwesomePatience is most definitely needed when it comes to babies waking you up at 2am or toddlers driving you up the wall. More patience can often come with getting older, and if you've found you and your partner are more patient people these days, this is only going to be a positive for a new family together!

26. You Do Well On Little-To-No Sleep

Image Source / RedditDespite a good night's sleep being one of the most important things you can get, that rule goes out the window when it comes to dealing with a new baby. You're going to have to operate on very little sleep at the beginning, so if you're someone who is prepared for that and knows that you won't get angry, snappy or worn down on low power mode, it's a good thing!

27. You Have A Family-Appropriate Car

Image Source / RedditIf you're driving around in a convertible with no intention or money to switch to a bigger vehicle, this won't work well for a new baby or growing family. But if you and/or your partner have switched out a sporty model for a 5-door saloon with lots of trunk space, this could be a sign that you're thinking about bigger things (and more room needed) in your car!

28. You're More Careless When It Comes To Contraception

Image Source / NewsweekThis doesn't mean you're being irresponsible depending on the circumstances, as it could mean that you've either told each other that if you accidentally get pregnant it's actually okay, or maybe subconsciously you want it to happen so you've ditched the contraception (obviously this is only okay if you both know that and are in agreement though!).

29. You Had An Oopsie With Contraception And You Actually Got Your Hopes Up

Image Source / RedditIt's bound to happen at least once for someone to forget to take their pill and only realise after they've had sex, or the condom splits. But if your reaction to this wasn't absolute horror but in fact a small, hopeful feeling that maybe you got pregnant by accident, this is a sign you might be ready for a baby.

30. You Had A False Alarm - And You Were Disappointed

Image Source / RedditYou and your partner actually thought that you had a baby on the way, maybe through an accident with contraception or maybe you just felt the signs and symptoms, only to see the test come out negative. If you were both disappointed instead of relieved, that's your answer!