*This is a collaborative post*
Having children is easily the biggest decision a person will make in life. Once you become a parent everything changes and not just your lack of sleep! There are lots of practical concerns such as the cost involved. Raising a child is expensive. Research conducted in America estimates that the cost of raising a child from birth till the age of seventeen is about $233,610 (or about £181,395.) That's a lot of money for anyone. Deciding to take on that sort of commitment is serious. However, money is not the only thing that you'll need.
Of course, you will also need a place to live. Your home needs to be structurally sound to protect you and your family from the elements. Perhaps consider the environmental factors too. Any action taken to help protect the environment now is performed with future generations in mind. When looking at homes for sale, consider buying new. It may be more expensive but you are paying for the latest building techniques. New homes are more energy efficient than older buildings. If your property is already installed with modern windows and insulation in the walls and loft, you will not need to spend money on them years after the purchase. With utility bills set to become more expensive again this year, it's good for your finances in the long run too.
However, the environment should not be your only consideration. A lot is said about school catchments and the lengths to which some people will go now to ensure that their child gets into a good enough school. Some parents will lie and say that their children live with their grandparents who are in a better catchment, or even go so far as to rent or buy a property in the relevant area. 1257 investigations were launched into this type of fraud in 2015 alone. Some of those found guilty had their offers revoked but none faced prosecution. Either way, you can save yourself the trouble by thinking about it before you buy your home.
Lastly, children are so adventurous that they often suffer bumps and bruises. It is a part of life but to prevent serious injuries, you should spend time and money looking into child proofing a house. There are lots of simple, well-known devices such as gates for the stairs but there are so many others too, like a device that modulates the temperature of the water that comes out of your taps. The details are important once you have children.
*This post was contributed by Sam Jones
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