My Articles | About Us | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Search   
 
News, Tips & Offers delivered to your inbox

ABOUT US | VIEW ALL FEATURED ARTICLES | VIEW ALL TOPICS | VIEW ALL REGIONS | DM MOBILE | DM BLOG

A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Florida

From pregnancy to choosing a guardian, new parents can count on making lots of decisions. Read to learn more.

Local Companies

Eliot P.Reifkind, P.A.
954-370-5152
12545 Orange Dr.
Davie, FL
Jennifer Byrom, PA
(850) 623-4347
5177 Elmira Street
Milton, FL
Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc
786-390-0581
Po Box 901636
Homestead, FL
Symonds Bail Bonds
(904) 284-5999
3049 Highway 17
Green Cove Springs, FL
River City Legal Support Inc
(904) 356-2347
24 N Market St Ste 301b
Jacksonville, FL
Choice Legal Inc
(904) 353-1911
118 W Adams St
Jacksonville, FL
Featheringill & Associates
(904) 249-9952
1206 Arden Way
Jacksonville Beach, FL
Gaglione & Dumas
(904) 249-3046
408 4th St N
Jacksonville Beach, FL
Secure Choices Inc
(904) 242-8970
1624 3rd Avenue N Null
Jacksonville Beach, FL
The UPS Store
(904) 291-1996
2640 Blanding Blvd Ste 204
Middleburg, FL

 
Provided By:


Having a child -- either by birth or by adoption -- can be one of the most exciting and meaningful things you do. At the same time, bringing a baby into your life can be stressful, especially in the ways it affects your work and your income. In fact, the financial and legal implications of child-rearing and parenting can be overwhelming.

But it isn't as scary as you might think. By taking some time now to become informed, you can save yourself worry and trouble later -- and begin to put all of the necessary plans in place. The checklist below will give you a place to start.

Before Your Baby Arrives

For all expectant parents -- birth or adoptive, mother or father, married or single, straight or gay -- the complications begin even before that first cuddle with a new baby. Here are some questions to consider as you prepare for your baby's arrival:

  • If you are pregnant, how much of your pregnancy and delivery will your health insurance cover?
  • If you are pregnant, do you want a doctor or midwife to care for you during your pregnancy and to deliver your baby? How do you select a good one? Where and how do you want to deliver your baby?
  • Can you take time off from work for doctors' appointments or to prepare for adoption? What about for medical complications during pregnancy?
  • How do you select a good pediatrician for your child? (You should have a pediatrician in place before your baby arrives.)
  • Do you want to conduct genetic testing during pregnancy?
  • How do you tell your boss and coworkers that you will soon be a parent?
  • How much maternity/paternity leave can you take, and how much of it will be paid?

After Your Baby Arrives

Once your baby arrives, issues and questions will pop up daily. Of course, you'll have lots of questions about your baby's health and development, but there will be practical issues to deal with as well. For example:

  • How do you apply for a birth certificate for your baby? What about a Social Security number?
  • If you are the mother, what are your rights to nurse in public?
  • How can you arrange for health insurance for your new baby?
  • How can you make sure that the baby products you buy are safe?
  • How can you make sure that your home is hazard-free? What about lead paint?
  • When you travel -- either by car or by plane -- how can you make sure your baby is safe?
  • How can you take advantage of the tax breaks available to parents?

Returning to Work

At some point after their baby is born, many parents must leave the loving bubble of their new family and return to work. If you are faced with this situation, you'll need to answer the following questions:

  • If you are going to use child care, what is the best kind for your family -- a day care center? A nanny? Something else? How should you manage the relationship to ensure the best care for your child?
  • If you are a nursing mother, how will you express breast milk at work? Do you have any legal right to do so, if your employer objects?
  • Are their any laws that protect you against unfair treatment at work now that you are a parent?
  • What are your rights to take time off from work to care for your child or to attend child-related activities, such as school conferences?
  • If you are having trouble balancing work and family, can you create a new work arrangement -- such as flex time or job share -- that will make things a little easier?

Planning Ahead

In addition to coping with -- and enjoying -- your day-to-day life with your child, you'll have to think about your child's future. Here are a few of the questions you should ask yourself:

  • Whom should you name to be your child's guardian if the unthinkable happened to you and your child's other parent?
  • Do you need to write a will? What should you include in it?
  • Should you buy life insurance? And if so, how much?
  • What is the best way to save for your child's education?
Starting a family means making a number of decisions about your life, your future, and the future of your family. The more you know, the better your decisions will be -- and the more rewarding your experience. For help in learning what you need to know to make these decisions, Nolo publishes a terrific book called Parent Savvy: Answers to Your Family's Financial, Legal and Practical Questions, by attorney Nihara Choudhri. This book addresses all of the above questions, and many more.


Copyright 2008 Nolo

Featured Local Company

Eliot P.Reifkind, P.A.

954-370-5152
12545 Orange Dr.
Davie, FL
Read more about A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family

Related Articles
- Transitioning Into a Step Parent Role Florida
Many people get re-married and have children from previous relationships, and this necessitates a transition for the entire family. The newlyweds must learn to take on the role of stepparent and learn to function in their new blended family.
- Family Management Florida
- Parenting For Oppositional Defiant Disorder Florida
- Poison Prevention Tips Florida
- Water Safety Tips for Parents Florida
- Summer Safety Checklist Florida
- Winning Child Custody Battles Florida
- Father Visitation Rights Florida
- Nurturing Parenting Florida
- How To Evaluate Different Parenting Styles Florida
Regional Articles
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Altamonte Springs FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Apopka FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Arcadia FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Atlantic Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Auburndale FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Avon Park FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Bartow FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Belle Glade FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Boca Raton FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Bonita Springs FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Boynton Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Bradenton FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Brandon FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Brooksville FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Cantonment FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Cape Coral FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Casselberry FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Chipley FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Clearwater FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Clermont FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Clewiston FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Cocoa Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Cocoa FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Crawfordville FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Crestview FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Crystal River FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Dade City FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Dania FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Daytona Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Debary FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Deerfield Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Defuniak Springs FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Deland FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Delray Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Deltona FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Destin FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Dunedin FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Dunnellon FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Englewood FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Eustis FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Fernandina Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Fort Lauderdale FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Fort Myers FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Fort Pierce FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Fort Walton Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Gainesville FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Green Cove Springs FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Gulf Breeze FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Haines City FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Hallandale FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Hialeah FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Hobe Sound FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Holiday FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Hollywood FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Homestead FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Homosassa FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Hudson FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Immokalee FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Inverness FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Jacksonville Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Jacksonville FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Jensen Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Jupiter FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Key West FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Kissimmee FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Labelle FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lady Lake FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lake City FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lake Mary FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lake Placid FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lake Wales FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lake Worth FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lakeland FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Land O Lakes FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Largo FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Leesburg FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lehigh Acres FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Live Oak FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Longwood FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Loxahatchee FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lutz FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Lynn Haven FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Marco Island FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Marianna FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Melbourne FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Merritt Island FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Miami Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Miami FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Miami Lakes FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Middleburg FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Milton FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Miramar FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Mount Dora FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Mulberry FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Naples FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Navarre FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family New Port Richey FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family New Smyrna Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Niceville FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Nokomis FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family North Fort Myers FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family North Miami Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family North Palm Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family North Port FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Ocala FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Ocoee FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Okeechobee FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Oldsmar FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Opa Locka FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Orange City FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Orange Park FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Orlando FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Ormond Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Oviedo FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Palatka FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Palm Bay FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Palm Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Palm Beach Gardens FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Palm City FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Palm Coast FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Palm Harbor FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Palmetto FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Panama City Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Panama City FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Pembroke Pines FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Pensacola FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Pinellas Park FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Plant City FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Pompano Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Ponte Vedra Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Port Charlotte FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Port Orange FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Port Richey FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Port Saint Lucie FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Punta Gorda FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Riverview FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Rockledge FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Safety Harbor FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Saint Augustine FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Saint Cloud FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Saint Petersburg FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Sanford FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Sarasota FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Satellite Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Sebastian FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Sebring FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Seffner FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Seminole FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Spring Hill FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Starke FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Stuart FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Summerfield FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Sun City Center FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Tallahassee FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Tampa FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Tarpon Springs FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Titusville FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Valrico FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Venice FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Vero Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Wauchula FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Wesley Chapel FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family West Palm Beach FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Winter Garden FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Winter Haven FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Winter Park FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Winter Springs FL
- A Parent Checklist For Starting a Family Zephyrhills FL
Related Local Events
American Intellectual Property Law Association Mid-Winter Meeting
Dates: 11/28/2009 - 1/31/2009
Location: Doral Golf Resort & Spa
Miami, FL
View Details
Leadership Clay-Justice & Law Enforcement
Dates: 11/3/2009 - 11/3/2009
Location: Clay County Chamber of Commerce
Orange Park, FL
View Details
Advanced Certificate in Employment Law Conferences
Dates: 10/7/2009 - 10/7/2009
Location: Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa
Lake Buena Vista, FL
View Details
Advanced Certificate in Employment Law Conferences
Dates: 10/7/2009 - 10/9/2009
Location: Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa
Lake Buena Vista, FL
View Details
Certificate in Employee Relations Law Seminar
Dates: 7/20/2009 - 7/20/2009
Location: Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa
Lake Buena Vista, FL
View Details
Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin
Topics:
Advertising Family Home Services Real Estate Resources
Business Services Fashion Industrial Goods & Services Retail & Consumer Services
Career Financial Services Insurance Software
Cars Food & Beverage Internet Technology
Computer Hardware Franchise Legal Telecommunications
Construction Health Miscellaneous Trade Shows
Education Holidays Nightlife Travel
Entertainment Home Appliances Online Database Weddings
Environmental Home Electronics Pets World History
Articles.DirectoryM.com | Search | About Us | Contact Us | Mobile | Blog | En Español
Copyright © BET Information Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.