--- title: Parenting your child - Nebraska Children's Home Society description: The hardest, most rewarding job you’ll ever have. Being a parent is an 18-year commitment to care for and nurture a child. On one side, it requires dedication, patience and sacrifice. On the other hand, there’s the warmth of cuddling with a baby, proudly watching as a toddler takes a first step, or tearfully taking Read More... image: https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/default-featured-image-Jan-25-2022-05-09-33-32-PM.png --- [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) - - - - - [402.451.0787](tel:402.451.0787) [402.451.0787](tel:402.451.0787) - [130th Anniversary](https://nchs.org/130-years-nchs-celebration/) - [Calendar](https://nchs.org/events/) - [Careers](https://nchs.org/careers/) - [Get Involved](https://nchs.org/get-involved/) [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) [![Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color.svg)](https://nchs.org/) - [Family Support](https://nchs.org/family-support/) - Column 1 - [Pregnancy Services Offering resources, support, & guidance as you determine the best course of action for you & your family.](https://nchs.org/pregnancy-services/) - [Top Pregnancy Questions](https://nchs.org/pregnancy-services/top-questions/) - [Kinship Navigation Connecting kinship families to the support & community resources they need to thrive.](https://kinship.nchs.org/) - [Families Forever Providing support & strategies for deepening the bonds of families formed through adoption or guardianship.](https://nchs.org/families-forever/) - [Become a Families2Families Mentor](https://nchs.org/become-a-mentor-make-a-difference/) - [Full Circle Conference 2024](https://fullcircle.nchs.org/) - [Early Childhood Education Educating & developing children as they prepare for kindergarten and beyond.](https://nchs.org/early-childhood-education/) - Column 2 - [Parent & Caregiver Support:](https://nchs.org/parent-caregiver-support/) - [Healthy Families America Personalized advice & guidance for expectant or newborn parents.](https://nchs.org/healthy-families/) - [Self-Sufficiency Gain vital skills needed to become more self-sufficient.](https://nchs.org/self-sufficiency/) - [Teen & Young Parent Program Preparing teens & young parents for adulthood.](https://nchs.org/teen-young-parent-program/) - [Foster Care](https://nchs.org/foster-care/) - Column 1 - [Steps to Becoming a Foster Family Get information regarding the process of becoming a foster family.](https://nchs.org/foster-care/#becoming-foster-family) - [Mutual Selection Using a collaborative approach to work toward a brighter future.](https://nchs.org/foster-care/#mutual) - [Adoption](https://nchs.org/child-adoption/) - Column 1 - [Adopt Through NCHS Discover the steps you need to take to start your adoption journey with NCHS.](https://nchs.org/adopt-through-nchs/) - [Considering Adoption for Your Child Get assistance with figuring out the next steps for you & your family.](https://nchs.org/consider-adoption-for-your-child/) - [Post-Adoption Services Access resources & support available to you after an adoption is finalized.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services/) - Column 2 - [Adoption Search Discover more about your biological lineage.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services#adoption-search) - [Birth-Parent Support Group Peer support for birth parents that chose adoption.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services#birth-parent-support) - [Families Forever Providing support & strategies for deepening the bonds of families formed through adoption or guardianship.](https://nchs.org/families-forever/) - [Learn](https://nchs.org/learn/) - Column 1 - [Blog Catch up on the latest tips & information our team has to offer.](https://blog.nchs.org/) - [Resources Browse our extensive resource library to get the answers you need.](https://nchs.org/resources/) - [A Guide to Kinship Care](https://info.nchs.org/kinship-care-resources-services-help-you-care-unique-family) - [Support For Expectant And New Parents](https://info.nchs.org/pregnancy-services-support-for-expectant-and-new-parents) - [Support for Families Formed Through Adoption](https://info.nchs.org/families-forever-support-families-formed-adoption) - Column 2 - [Events Stay updated on the latest events & volunteer opportunities through NCHS.](https://nchs.org/events/) - [News & Press Read up on NCHS’s latest announcements & community news.](https://nchs.org/news-press-releases/) - [Celebrating 130 Years | NCHS Come celebrate with us as we look to a bright future and remember 130 years of caring for Nebraska’s children families.](https://nchs.org/130-years-nchs-celebration/) - [About](https://nchs.org/about/) - Column 1 - [Mission, Values & Strategic Plan Our core values are the driving factor behind everything we do.](https://nchs.org/mission-values-strategic-plan/) - [Leadership, Board, & Trustees](https://nchs.org/about#team) - [Partnerships & Donors](https://nchs.org/partners/) - [Strategic Plan](https://nchs.org/mission-values-strategic-plan#strategic) - [Contact](https://nchs.org/contact/) - [*Family Support* Caring For Your Grandchildren And Yourself Learn valuable strategies for caring for yourself and your grandchildren. Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/raising-your-grandchildren-one-pager/) - [*Foster Care* FOSTER CARE PROGRAM Access the support, resources, guidance, and tools parents and babies need for… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/nchs-foster-care-program/) - [*Adoption* Strengthening Your Relationship As A Family Discover the support and resources available for families formed through adoption or… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/families-forever-one-pager/) - [*Learn* Annual Report Gain insight into the impact and work our team has achieved over… Download Now](https://nchs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NCHS-Annual-Report-2021-2022.pdf) - [*About* Strategic Plan NCHS believes in building a bright, healthy future for all children and… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/strategic-plan/) [Blog](https://blog.nchs.org) > [Tips & Advice](https://blog.nchs.org/tag/tips-advice) # Parenting your child May 10, 2018 | 2 min read Share: [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.nchs.org/parenting-your-child) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.nchs.org/parenting-your-child) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.nchs.org/parenting-your-child) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.nchs.org/parenting-your-child) The hardest, most rewarding job you’ll ever have. Being a parent is an 18-year commitment to care for and nurture a child. On one side, it requires dedication, patience and sacrifice. On the other hand, there’s the warmth of cuddling with a baby, proudly watching as a toddler takes a first step, or tearfully taking your little one to school for the first time. What to Consider Raising a child changes your life. Every decision you make now affects you and your child. These are just some things for you to think about when considering parenting: - How will a child change my everyday lifestyle? - Where do I plan on living with my child? - After my child is born, who will be responsible for my personal needs, laundry, baby clothing and diapers, baby food and formula, medical costs, babysitting costs, and living expenses? - Who are my support systems? - What are my alternatives? We can help you identify and evaluate all your alternatives. We have confidential, professional resources to help you sort through this decision. Our caseworkers will provide education and support to you for a lifetime. What are initial expenses of raising a child? It is important for you to take into account all the expenses when making the parenting decision. According to BabyCenter.com, raising a child during the first year can be around $13,000. Because the cost of a child depends on a variety of factors, it is important for you to understand what your expenses will be. Essential baby costs include: - Baby clothing and bedding - Diapers - Formula and/or Feeding equipment - Living expenses - Transportation & car seat - Childcare/Daycare - Towels and toiletries - High chair/Stroller/Crib - Medical check-ups - Babysitter fees Figuring out baby expenses can be confusing, frustrating and overwhelming. Luckily, we’re here and ready to help you find your way through. How can NCHS help? We can help you put together your parenting plan and provide information, support, and resources throughout the entire parenting process. Call us today to start working toward a great life for your child and you. Parenting services offered: - Material support (baby supplies, clothes, equipment, etc.) - Parenting classes - Connections to resources available in your community - Newborn care classes - Mentoring [![NCHS Team](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/NCHS-Team-Author-IMG.png)](https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team) [NCHS Team](https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team) The NCHS team is committed to helping children, parents, grandparents, and families create a safe and loving home. To the NCHS Team, children always come first. By providing support to families and parents, NCHS works to ensure children have access to the care, love, and development opportunities they need to be successful adults. ## Related Blogs August 29, 2024 ##### Am I Ready for a Baby? Deciding to welcome a new life into your world is one of the most significant decisions you'll ever... Read More + May 16, 2024 ##### How Lifebooks Help Children Understand Their Adoption Journey As an adoptive parent or guardianship parent, you may have come across the term "Lifebook" in your... Read More + May 9, 2024 ##### Your Go-To Guide for Financial Support When Pregnancy Surprises You When you find out you're pregnant, and it's the last thing you were expecting, it can throw you for... 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