Preparing for a baby is supposed to be joyful, intentional, and maybe even a little Pinterest-worthy. But what happens when you’re doing it while unemployed, navigating DC’s high cost of living, and genuinely unsure what city—or continent—you’ll be living in by spring?

That’s where I’ve found myself.

When I bought my DC rowhome, I imagined two things happening at once: caring for my dad and becoming a single mom by choice. Life, of course, had other plans. My dad passed before I could bring him here, and now—pregnant and recently RIFed from USAID—I’m staring down a future that feels unclear. I’m interviewing, networking, and hoping. But I also have to face the reality: if a job doesn’t land soon, I may be packing up for Asia or Texas just as the baby arrives.

So how do you prepare for a baby during unemployment, when you don’t know what “home” will look like in a few months?

A Minimalist Baby Registry for a Season of Change

I’ll be honest—the idea of setting up a baby registry stressed me out. Most of my friends are also unemployed, and I didn’t love the idea of asking for gifts. But a good friend nudged me for one very practical reason: the 15% completion discount on Amazon.

That alone felt worth it.

So, I created a minimalist baby registry tailored to the reality of uncertain housing and possible relocation.
Here it is if you’d like to peek:
https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/nadira-kabir-january-2026-washington/2YOS15MTGCBE7

I focused on portable baby essentials that work whether you’re in a DC apartment, a guest room in Texas, or a temporary rental overseas:

• A bassinet
• A pack-and-play
• Diapers
• A simple clothing set
• A few compact newborn must-haves

No crib. No bulky nursery furniture. No items that would complicate a move across states—or continents. The bigger investments will come later, when my life and career are more stable.

Creating a Nursery Nook Instead of a Full Nursery

Originally, I wasn’t going to set up a nursery at all. My plan was simple: unbox the bassinet, keep diapers and clothes nearby, and call it a day. When you’re juggling a career transition and the emotional math of pregnancy during unemployment, minimalism just feels safer.

But my companion gently reminded me that even in the uncertainty, the first few months deserve warmth and intention.

So instead of a full room, we’re building a nursery nook in the corner of the guest bedroom—a perfect approach for small spaces, renters, or anyone preparing for a baby while potentially moving during pregnancy.

The nook includes:

• A cozy bassinet
• A small changing table
• A closet for tiny clothes
• A simple changing pad
• A few soft, comforting photos on the wall

It’s a reminder that a warm environment for a newborn doesn’t require a full nursery makeover. It can be simple, flexible, and still full of love.

Finding Comfort in the In-Between

Preparing for a baby while navigating job loss, relocation possibilities, and the realities of DC cost-of-living challenges is not the story I imagined. But life rarely follows the script we write.

This season has taught me that stability can come from intention rather than square footage. From the way we prepare, not the size of the space we prepare. From the love we choose over the uncertainty we can’t control.

Maybe I’ll be in DC come April. Maybe I’ll be in Asia. Maybe Texas will be home for a while. But wherever we end up, this baby will have safety, softness, and a mother who’s learning—slowly and imperfectly—to adapt and rebuild.

For now, that is enough.