Responsibility is a very important word in parenting. Parents should not just decide, ‘Let’s have a baby’ & ignore all other peripherals. When you decide to have a baby, you should realize that you are choosing to be responsible for another life & hence, everything you do would reflect upon it.

The fetal alcohol syndrome & parenting is a very well debated topic. Everyone knows the terrible impact alcohol & tobacco smoke can have on an unborn child. Here are a few very important aspects of fetal alcohol syndrome & parenting.

This article is focusing on the mother because it is the female who carries the baby in her womb & the fetal alcohol syndrome & parenting aspects directly concern her. However men too, need to be equally responsible with drinking & smoking in order to provide as supportive an ambiance to the would-be mother as possible.

If you are a would-be mother who is addicted to alcohol, you need to consider the following steps at once:

1. Inform & consult a doctor about what you need to do to ensure that the baby is not affected by the FAS.

2. Enroll yourself in Alcoholics Anonymous & solicit the group’s help & support in shaking off the habit.

3. Enroll in a detoxification center & get rid of the habit with the help of medical supervision & treatment. Make sure they know you are pregnant; some anti-withdrawal medicines can harm the baby.

4. Surround yourself with photographs of

healthy & beautiful babies, so it will encourage you to stay away from the alcohol for the sake of the tiny life that is forming inside your womb.

5. Plan many things for the baby. For example, have shopping sprees, theme parties, baby showers, etc all the time so it will keep you motivated to stay off alcohol.

6. Read many books on fetal alcohol syndrome & parenting & understand the dangers of alcohol & your responsibility as a parent well.

7. Keep in mind that you do not have the right to play with the life of another human being – & if you feel that alcohol will still remain your first love – do not have a baby. It is not only the impact of the fetal alcohol syndrome & parenting that is crucial, it is also how you will take care of the baby after it is born, what type of home you will be able to offer him/her & so on. This is a huge commitment & you should be able to fulfill it.

About the author: Ann Merier writes articles about family health,house & garden Topics. http://parentingtips.ultimatehealthinfo.com http://stopsmokingtip.ultimatehealthinfo.com/ http://losingweight.ultimatehealthinfo.com/