21 Smart Things to Do Before Your Kid Shows Up
From Waking Up Daddy, Jason Roth's account of nine months of pregnancy and the insane first year of parenthood.
- Read parenting books.
- Sign up for a baby registry.
- Register for baby supplies.
- Find a pediatrician.
- Babyproof your home.
- Install a car seat.
- Parent-proof your home (e.g., mats for slippery floors).
- Arrange day care.
- Get your health insurance in order (and after the baby is born, submit any required forms in the required time frame).
- Take classes: childbirth/parenting + CPR.
- Set up baby’s room (paint the walls a neutral color and be done with it).
- Clean out all your closets.
- Choose a legal custodian.
- Choose a preschool (yes, you might need to get on the list before birth).
- Get/increase life insurance.
- Get/write a will.
- Review/organize notes from parenting books, apps, and websites.
- Ask boss for work-at-home days (plan B: schedule a vacation day every week or two).
- Get phone numbers of 24-hour emergency clinic, local hospital, and poison control center.
- Create a shared doc for brainstorming baby names.
- Make sure you know how to take care of a baby.
