Strong desire for a child?

Question

i have always wanted to have children. last week my aunt had a baby boy. when i visited her in hospital i got to hold him for a while, saw him being fed, and diapers being changed. ever since, my desire for a child is so much stronger. i keep thinking about it. I'm only 17 but it just feels right. i know having a child is a lot of responsibility but i know i'd manage. any thoughts/opinions would be aprreciated.

Answer 1

Try the puppy first and see how you go. Seriously, you are only 17 and have so much ahead of you. You have plenty of time for babies. They are a 24/ 7 job, with no off switch. Please enjoy yourself while you are young.

Answer 2

how about the women on the busses with the screaming kids and aldi carrier bags - do you envy them as well?

or parents with ill, disabled or problem children?

don't let this lovely picture of motherhood con you into thinking its all roses. It may not be so.

Answer 3

Enjoy your youth.  You have the rest of your life to worry about kids and all the stress (working, bills, etc.) that comes along with  adulthood.  You'll be grateful you waited once you have accomplished more in life. You should want to give your child the best life and I'm sure at 17 u can't honestly say that...

Answer 4

Ummmmm don't even think about having a child before you get outta of school. Or you will drop out and be a box girl at krogers and get 1 dollar per hour. How will you live?

Answer 5

I totally know the feeling... I want kids since I'm 15-16, and I just start trying having one (and I'm 29). I'm glad I haven't had one before that because I had time to finish my schooling, I have a great job and most of all, the perfet dad to be.

I realised that having a baby must not be a selfish process. You might feel it strong inside, but you have to be ready in you "outside" life as well.

You don't have to wait untill 29, but at least, wait untill everything outside (school, work, appartment, boyfriend) is as ready as you are.

Answer 6

I can relate to you, i had always wanted to have kids.  I knew that the job i wanted was to be a mommy.  But here's the thing, if you dont finish school (and i say that because child care is very expensive, you would end up having to drop out) then you wont have a good job to support your baby.  The other huge thing is that you want to have a child with someone great, someone you can count on who will be there for you and your child, and most guys your age are not there yet.  I would finish school work towards a career and find a man who would be a great husband/ father then have as many babies as your heart desires

Answer 7

I was the same way.  Become a nanny- seriously.  Do it for a couple of years so you can get a feel for what it's really like on a daily basis.  It helped me wait another 7 years before I had children.

Answer 8

THINK in his/her way is right when i had a baby well twins i never thought three years later my twin son would be diagnosed with a life long disability Autism, Thomas is 10 non verbal and still in nappies, Yes all well and good having a baby BUT are you ready for all the what ifs that life throws at you .. think about it why such a rush i was 23 and i know i couldn't have coped with a child with a disability at 17 even now at 33 i find life so tough sometimes and never thought i would be changing nappies at aged 10 ...believe me you have no idea how tough it can be to be a mum sometimes enjoy your teen years ..i know i did !

Answer 9

Live your life for yourself first - there are so many things you can do without children.  As soon as you have a baby your options are limited as your child always has to come first.  

When you have children the never ending responsibility can be a shock - and it must be very hard without a partner to share this responsibility.   I was 31 and happily married and I still found it a shock

It's a wonderful and life changing experience and babies are not actually that difficult to look after, but toddlers are another matter - they can drive you mad and I know I couldn't have coped at 17.