logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2021
24m 12s

Deciding when to have a baby

NPR
About this episode
Whether you've always wanted to be a parent or not, starting a family is a big decision. Experts talk through what to consider.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Yesterday
You can have a good divorce
A lot of marriages end in divorce. As painful as it can be, there’s a way for separating partners to engage with the divorce process in a healthy way. Karen McNenny, certified divorce coach and author of The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family, share ... Show More
26m 39s
Jul 6
Scarfing down your food? How to be intentional about meals
Eating more deliberately can help you make better choices about nourishing your body, says Lilian Cheung, a mindful eating lecturer at Harvard. She shares how to enjoy meals while paying attention. This episode originally published Sept. 11, 2023.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifek ... Show More
17m 5s
Jul 2
Elevate group conversations with a 'magical question'
Want to cut through small talk at your next mixer? Try asking a "magical question," says Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and author of the book The Art of Gathering. These questions, like "What is a path you almost took but didn't?" and "What topic could you give ... Show More
20m 17s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2020
315 - Should You Become a Parent? Let Emotions Be Your Guide
Whether to have kids or not is a monumental decision, and the pros and cons are hard to predict or quantify. How do you decide? Borrowing ideas from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help.Read the transcript.Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows.Subscribe to the ... Show More
16m 56s
Mar 2023
Am I Ready For a Baby? | E339
Having a child is one of the coolest, most meaningful experiences a human being can have. It’s also a mind-blowingly huge responsibility. How can you decide if you want to become a parent? And if that is your heart’s desire, how can you know when you’re ready for a baby?    As ... Show More
47m 5s
Sep 2023
Setting Boundaries As a New Parent and Sticking to Them
Early parenthood is full of difficult decisions that could be made easier by establishing boundaries before the baby is born. How do you identify boundaries that work best for your family? And how do you communicate those to well-meaning family members who try to push back? Learn ... Show More
37m 10s
May 2021
How Do I Know If I Want Kids?
Some people just know if they want to grow up to have kids. And there are those who never want to entertain the idea. And then, there are some people who are strictly, truly, exactly on the fence about parenthood. The Cut host Avery Trufelman is one of the undecided people, and t ... Show More
27m 2s
Feb 2021
Choosing a Baby Name
It’s one of the first big decisions you’ll make for your baby—their name. This week, Heidi and Emma break down the biggest baby name trends, and everything from how to deal with opinions from family, to the biggest questions and best baby name advice from the What To Expect commu ... Show More
27m 4s
May 2024
Do I need to be 100% sure I want kids? - with Laura Henshaw
<p>If you're talking to people about the decision to have children it’s likely you’ve heard a version of this - “parenting is really hard so if you’re not 100% sure that you want children…don’t do it”.</p> <p>This episode is here to challenge that idea. The reasons people say not ... Show More
44m 43s
Aug 2025
Q&A: When Is the Right Time to Get Pregnant?
<p>This episode answers a listener's question about how to know when the time is right to have a baby. Whether you are thinking about your first child or adding to your family, the decision can feel overwhelming. We explore the emotional side of this choice, what medical organiza ... Show More
20m 31s
May 2020
the future
Most people want to get married and have kids some day because… it’s what you’re “supposed” to do… but is that right for everyone? Emma dives deep on it, from getting married, to divorce, to having kids and everything in between. What are the impending challenges of finding someo ... Show More
48m 58s
Jan 2018
Birth, Baby and beyond - why and what to expect
Having a baby will be the best thing you ever do - but it's not all smooth sailing! A frank discussion navigating the overwhelming overload of information encountered by new and expecting parents covering pregnancy, nausea, miscarriage, childbirth, drugs, breast feeding, exercise ... Show More
24m 36s