Good luck with everything @shakalaka , all car jokes aside, your life changes dramatically with a child especially the first. Focus on that for now, there is a lot of time for a pet down the road.
Good luck with everything @shakalaka , all car jokes aside, your life changes dramatically with a child especially the first. Focus on that for now, there is a lot of time for a pet down the road.
Thanks guys for the wishes. Yes, we are definitely on edge, particularly my wife. It was particularly hard for her last time, so I am hoping that we don't have to go through it again. But yea, it appears that I am going to have to put the dream of a dog on the back burner for now.
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This. Not only is your job to help look after the baby, stay on top of work/bills/house, but also to keep an eye on your wife's mental and physical health. She will be going through some pretty drastic changes of the next 2 years and you need to be that baseline that can recognize if things start to go off course. Start the conversation about it now to normalize mental health issues and do deliberate check-in's periodically both before and after the baby arrives; "how are you feeling mentally", or "I've noticed you seem overwhelmed lately, lets go for a walk and have a chat". Familiarize yourself with some of those resources that ExtraHusband referred to so you know who to reach out to when and if needed. It may also not even be a bad idea to have an introductory meeting with a councilor so if she needs someone to talk to after the fact then she has at least a bit of familiarity. With how prevalent miscarriages are, and your previous experience, implementing steps like this into this pregnancy could save some potentially drastic heartache after baby is here and momma hasn't slept because she's a walking, talking snack bitch.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
This isn't to say she will for sure experience PPD but getting everything out in the open and making mental health talks a regular/normal part of your conversations ahead of time will make addressing it after the fact much easier should she experience it. The added benefit is if you end up going through any depression or anxiety after baby is here (because dad's aren't immune to that) you are familiar with resources as well.
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My dog loves company.. You're more than welcome to come by and throw a ball around for her Unless she doesn't like you.. But only met 1 person so far.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
At the end of the day you need to figure out how much help you're going to get from family, how much time you and your wife are going to take off from work etc. Raising a puppy and child simultaneously needs resources -- it's not impossible and I'd argue it's better for baby's immune system/allergies.
Ultracrepidarian
These are really good points. Thanks for taking the time. My wife is a psychologist, so I would think that we are somewhat better prepared to deal with these things than a 'regular person', but she's by no means immune to all this just by virtue of being a psychologist. I am well aware of that. I do like the points you have made and I will definitely keep these in mind. Even though we are only like 6 weeks or so right now, sometimes I lose my patience with her mood swings - which I need to work on as I am in general an impatient person. Haha.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Haha I love dogs. I have some family that have them and when we visit I sit there playing with the dogs all the time. The more time I spend with one, the more I want one. But based on everything I have read here, I think I just have to wait until the time is right. I don't mind doing the extra work to be honest, but I want to make sure my wife doesn't feel overwhelmed with everything happening as it is so it's likely better to just hold-off for now. Although that breeder I mentioned above does have the perfect little guy for us and even though not CKC registered, is full Havanese and they seem like reputable breeder and have been doing it for a long time.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
All CKC registered breeders that I messaged, have a wait list of loner than 1-2 year (one was 3 years) and some aren't even taking reservations right now. So one thought is to get on a 1-2 year wait list right now and see how things go by then I guess.
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This is also a good point. We could have a lot of help from my wife's parents pertaining to the baby, that's not an issue. The dog however, my FIL has made it clear that he wouldn't let one enter his house, so there's that. Haha.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
You sound like someone who has (maybe) raised a puppy, and not raised an infant.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Parenting sub-forum is still active I see.
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Is having a CKC registered kid important?
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Only if they are pure bredThis quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Originally posted by Thales of Miletus
If you think I have been trying to present myself as intellectually superior, then you truly are a dimwit.
Originally posted by Toma
fact.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote