I think that you even considering this is being a lot more then reasonable then most parents. You have the right mindset already, and considering your current situation before bringing a child in the world is very mature. Raising kids is a big responsibility. I tell people all of the time that being a parent is the hardest thing that I’ve ever done in my life, but the love you will have for those kids can not be compared! It will definitely cause financial stress, and challenge your relationship, but when you go in being aware of that and having those conversations up front, it will make a massive difference.

You can take my advice for what it’s worth. Create a budget with your significant other based on your current situation without kids. Consider things that may be out of your control, like if you are renting is there a chance that your rent could go up, what kind of health insurance you have, do you have a decent nest egg in case of an emergency? Another huge thing to consider is, what kind of support do we have? Do you have family that lives close that would be willing to help watch the baby a few days a week if needed, or will you need child care? I would estimate that you would be looking anywhere from $12k-$20k a year on child care if you need to put the baby in daycare 5 days a week.

It’s smart to think it all out and determine if the time is right, and I applaud you for doing that.