But for Dunedin couple Richard and Amy-Lee Budd the prospect became much more daunting when they were thrown into the unknown after their son was diagnosed with a rare congenital spinal condition.
Angus was born with sacral agenesis. He was missing seven vertebrae, had no calf muscles, no bone connecting his legs to his torso and malformed feet, neck and shoulders.
The family was faced with trip after trip to Auckland to see specialists and for Angus to undergo surgeries.
They could not have done it without Ronald McDonald House, they said.
"Ronald McDonald House is the duck’s nuts," Mr Budd said.
"Without them how awful would those trips to Auckland be?
"We would have been completely lost without having them and it’s horrendously expensive to stay up there.
"Without them how could anyone afford to do that many trips?"
The family had made regular three-monthly trips to Auckland — staying at Ronald McDonald House each time — for the past three and a-half years.
Angus was first diagnosed when Mrs Budd was 20 weeks’ pregnant.
"It was definitely a shock," she said.
"Nothing prepares you for that."
The waiting and watching had not finished, Mr Budd said.
It would go on for the foreseeable future.
However, little Angus confounded everyone despite the dire diagnosis.
"We were prepared for him to not be able to use his legs at all," Mrs Budd said.
"Before he was born the specialists said the moment he’s born he will be on a plane up to Christchurch," Mr Budd said.
"But at four days we were let out of hospital."
The 3-year-old continued to progress beyond expectations.
"He was just about to turn 2 and he took his first steps.
"It was exciting, Mrs Budd said.
"You get yourself into a mindset where you think legs or wheels, it’s all good," Mr Budd said.
"But to see your kid, who you are told will never walk by himself or come into your room in the morning and stand next to your bed and wake you up, to see that it’s pretty amazing."
Angus’ progress had shocked doctors.
"There’s a lot of head scratching around the hospital as to why Angus does work," Mrs Budd said.
"The prognosis is very much wait and see. Take each step as it comes."
More surgery was in the future for Angus, but the family’s minds were at greater ease knowing Ronald McDonald House would be there for them.
"When we talk with Angus about going to Auckland, he hates going to the hospital. But he asks about when are we going to visit the Ronald McDonald House," she said.
This week is Ronald McDonald Charity Appeal week.
It costs the house about $120 a night to provide free accommodation to each family.
● Those wanting to give to the charity can visit www.rmhc.org.nz
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