By Heather Cabot, The Well Mom
So...you're starting to get the hang of this motherhood thing.  The sleepless nights have waned somewhat.  Your bundle of joy is now a walking, talking bundle of energy.  And you are starting to look and feel a little bit more like the old you.  All of the sudden, you start thinking.  Hmmm...this first year wasn't so hard.  I miss having that cute little newborn strapped to my body.  Maybe it's time to expand the fam?

Your instincts are normal. But hold on, says Tammy Gold, a New Jersey psychotherapist and owner of Gold Parent Coaching.  Gold says you and you partner should ask yourselves some key questions about whether you are truly mentally, physically, emotionally and financially ready to handle another child. 

"Often in the joy of becoming a first-time parent, people will try to immediately replicate that feeling by adding to their family. However, the addition of one child to two is great and it needs to be carefully thought out," Gold explains.

When counseling families, she often asks prospective second-time parents to pause and consider these questions:

- Why do you think it would be a good time now to add to your family?

- What are the rational and irrational thoughts driving that decision?

- How do you think each parent will handle the added responsibility?

- How do you think your current child will handle a new sibling?

- Do you feel that you will have enough love, time and energy to give to another child?

- How will your household have to adapt to a new addition?

"Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs on the planet. When looking to add to your family you need to look at the positives and negatives that this new addition will create in your home," she explains.

She says parents need to examine their own personal lives, the state of their marriage, the adaptability of their current child and how a new baby will work into their current home. 

"No one can answer this important question for you, but certainly lean on your partner or others for support while deciding. Most of all make sure you have thought about all of the positives and negatives that will affect you, your partner, your child and your home before making the next step. Thinking about things prior to the new arrival will help the transition for all involved," says Gold.

For more information about Tammy Gold, check out Gold Parent Coaching.