young

[tori22]

Is it wrong to be 18 and want a baby?
Ive been with my boyfriend for a long time, and weve been talking about getting married and moving in together. He really wants a baby and i would love to have one with him, but would it be a stupid decision?

[Spiket77]

I'm 34. I had my son when I was 33 and i don't think I would have been ready for him a day earlier. I am in awe of younger women that have chosen to have children so early in life. I went to college, studied abroad, traveled every summer, started a career and got married. I did all of that by the time I was 24. I could have had children right away but I wanted to focus on career and have time with my husband, alone. That was all planned. Planning things was much easier when it was just the two of us. I'm glad we waited to get some core things accomplished so that we could be in a good place financially to provide.That was our story. You just have to try and have some foresight into what your story might be. What do you envision? Is it realistic? Do you have any personal dreams that you want to accomplish in your early 20s? I would write out a plan for your self and for your relationship. See what it looks like. Now think about 24/7 taking care of a little person. How does that work with your life in the next 18+ years? I'm not saying any of these out of mean spiritedness or anything like that. I just want to help you answer your own question. Children are a blessing. Best of luck to you!

[MamaBear0612]

Agreed that you should really think about your finances and your education. It's not impossible to finish college with a child, but I teach at a college and I see a lot of moms who struggle to get through because the demands of being a student and being a mom can come into conflict. You should also make sure you have good insurance, and are as stable as you can before you get into this...it's expensive in a way I can't explain, and if you don't have the financial resources that can be very stressful, and often having a child can strain the best of relationships. Also, if you have a pregnancy with complications, it can even be more expensive. I spent $700 my first month of pregnancy, and over $600 this month just on medical expenses, and I have a full-time job and insurance. I was expecting the baby to be expensive, I wasn't expecting pregnancy to be expensive, and though I feel the financial strain, at least I can afford it. Just really think it through, like you said, you guys have plenty of time.

[jdreyn]

I met my hubby when we were five, got engaged at 18, got married at 20, and three months later I found out I was pregnant. I'm now 33w2d. I'm in college full time & graduate in May..11 days before my due date.

[farO_jan]

Definitely think about school you and your bf its the only way you two can support a family.

[smiley_one]

Just make sure you are in a good place financially is all I have to say. If you are ready, go for it. I'm 19 and pregnant with my first. My fiance and I tried for a baby, but couldn't get pregnant, so I quit my full time job to go back to school time (it was our only source of income) and as soon as I did, I find out I was pregnant (36 weeks tomorrow). Now I have no money :( But I'd rather be in college and raising a baby because I know once I graduate I'll be able to look for a great job. as long as you two have love, a roof over your head and the commitment to each other, I say go for your baby :) It'll bring you both closer together :) Good Luck!!

[Ari_L_P89]

Its up to you all, youll have a baby when your ready and ment to. Im 22 now and 12 weeks with my first but my now ex husband and I started trying for a baby at 18. Just make sure its what you want and have a plan for when it does happen. Good luck girl! ^_^

[Jennyjoelogan]

Its really up to both of you. I had my first son at 17 and i was married i thought having a kid would be better but it wasnt. Im a single parent and another little one on the way. Im going to college at nights but dont know if ill make it for graduation this August because i cant miss no classes at all and ill be having my son on may. So its hard. But if your parner will be there to help you out when your going to school then go for it. A child is a blessing.

[brit0585]

I am 26 and pregnant with my first. I didnt even get married until I was 26 and got pregnant 3 months after. To be honest I never went to college because there was nothing else I wanted to do but be a mom. But I waited until I found the right guy. Not saying  at all that you didnt. My parents met when they were 5 got married when they were 19 and had a baby 4 months later and have been married 33 years now. If you are planning to get married do it first. It will make things much easier to get that over with and it doesnt have to be a big expensive thing if you dont want but it will be much easier to get married before having all the baby expenses than after. But you really need to sit and figure out your expenses like everyone else did and moving intogether isnt as easy as it sounds either. There are lots of new expenses you will have to think about especially if neither of you are out of your parents houses yet. My suggestion is get married and then have a baby if you dont plan on doing school. If you do plan on college do that first because a baby will keep you up all night and you will miss classes not to mention have to find a baby sitter for those times you are in classes and also pay for a baby sitter... Finance wise it will be easier to hold of on the baby for a little while. Good luck to you.

[mommyTobe_12]

I couldn't even focus on college without a baby, never mind with lol. Like the other ladies said just make sure your financially ready and you actuallly are ready to be parents. Like shale said.. Talking about it and actually having one is very different. Good luck to you and your boyfriend :)

[Factorymomma]

Lol I didn't mean being pregnant will mean you can't go to college, it's just easier to focus on college without a little one on the way or running around.

[sehale]

You don't have to give up college. I'll be 34 weeks when I finish this semester. Next semester I'll take online courses, the next I'll come back to campus.

You and your boyfriend need to sit down and have a serious discussion about this. Talking about having a baby and actually having one are VERY different, believe me. You two need to make a list of your incoming and outgoing money. Then add baby expenses to that. If after you add baby expenses you still have more incoming than outgoing then financially you two will be ready.Then you have to think about if both of you are emotionally prepared to have a baby. You also have to think about what you'll have to sacrifice when you have a baby. 18 isn't too young to have a baby, but most 18 year olds aren't ready. If you and your boyfriend are, then go for it. If not, wait.

[alexaviorsmommy]

Lol very true :) think pros and cons lol I didn't we just webt at it haha but everything worked out perfectly fine

[tori22]

Thanks girls! Yeah I think itll be something we have to sit down and talk about. Things would be much different if we had a little one. And we do have forever to have a baby, no need for us to rush (:

[alexaviorsmommy]

Don't put stuff like that on here trust me you will get bullied ppl are mean... but I am 18 and my baby was planned its not a stupid decission but only if y'all are ready for the resposibilitys I'm 27 weeks and its not what I thought it would be but I love my baby boy and my fiance and do not regret a thing :) good luck don't listen to the mean ppl keep your head up and make your own choices

[Factorymomma]

It is truly up to you and your man.  But before trying you should probably make a list of things you'll have to sacrifice (for a while) if you have a baby.  Main thing being college.  I would definitely at least try to go for an associates degree before having a kid, I'm 26 with my second in the way and thats one thing I haven't done and regret.  Yea it'll take you a year or two, but you'll have so many more opportunities than just having a kid straight away with only a H.S. Diploma.  And trust me, the more time that goes by, the less and less I want to go back to school :-P.