Listed below are six questions a guy in your shoes would do well to consider.  After you have some time to think about each one.  You might be surprised how much they can help you in planning your next move.

Are you ready? The greatest question to ask yourself right now is: “Am I ready to commit my life to my child and the mother of my child?”  You may end up getting married, you may not.  Either way, the three of you will always be connected.  Creating a healthy family is the most beneficial way to ensure the future for your child and peace for you and the mother.

Are you ready?                                                  YES                 NO

Do you want to? There has to be a driving force that is motivating you.  Do you have the desire to be a good father?  Your child’s life will be impacted greatly by that desire or lack of desire to be a good father.  If you choose to be a father, your child and the mother of your child deserve a man who is greatly involved in their lives.

Do you want to?                                              YES                NO

Can you provide? You may not be able to today.  However, when making a decision to commit to being a father a man must always have the capacity to understand his limit at providing for his family.  Be honest with yourself.  You need to know if you should seek better housing and what your financial snapshot looks like.  Ask the people providing you this information for help if you need it.

Can you provide?                                       YES                NO

Can you lead? Fathers need to lead, it’s that simple.  They do so in serving their family lovingly guiding them through life.  A good father is a man who maintains proper values in his own life and then transfers them into his family for the benefit of their future.  You don’t tell someone how to do it, you live the life.

Can you lead?                                                  YES                NO

Do you know you’re not alone? Good fathers realize that they are not alone.  As such, they realize that to raise a child it takes two parents acting as one.  When it comes to the mother, both of you need to be on the same page when it involves ideas about parenting.  Do each of you have the same dreams, goals and ambitions for your child?

Do you know you’re not alone?             YES                NO

How’s the family? How well do you know the family of the mother of your child?  When considering fatherhood it is good for you to understand just how well you know the important members of your new family.  You will be connected to them for a long time regardless the relationship of you and the mother.

Do you know the family?                          YES                NO

 

Contents excerpted from the pamphlet “6 questions that would be good to ask yourself right now” From Guys For Life International®, Copyright © 2007. Excerpted with permission. All rights reserved. http://www.guysforlife.org/resources.htm