How is life different from being single to a parent?

Question

What did you give up? What are the sacrafices? Was it worth it? Did it cost a lot of money? I am thinking about being a father at 20.

Answer 1

Think freedom and then think Jail. Your life is no longer your own. You have to work and support this child. Raising a child is like having another full time job. You have to make sure they have the material things they need (which is extremely expensive) and then you have the responsibility to make sure they grow up to be decent individuals, which is even harder than providing for the phyiscal wants and needs. You need to have an infinite amount of patience, reasoning ability, character, and be strong willed. My son is 12 and there are days when I just want to say "the hell with it" but you can't do that. You need to think twice about having a child at 20. You haven't even really lived your life and now you want to possibly have a baby? You won't be able to accomplish simple things like a quiet bath or shower, you no longer have any time that is your own, there are a lot of things that you give up the right to until that child is raised. Believe me it doesn't stop when they are 18 either. Along comes grandchildren and that is a whole different ballgame.

Answer 2

Wow - why, what's the hurry. I'm 29 and just had my second baby 11 days ago. There's never a perfect time to have a kid, but you're young and having a kid will restrict many of the things you're gonna want to do over the next few years. I'd wait. Does it cost a lot of money? - yes, formula really gets expensive. If you have a good family, they'll help you out big time in the beginning with gifts and asking to watch you kid. Was it worth it? - having a kid changes everything you know about life. I came home from work yesterday and was very hungry. I had bought groceries and my 15 month old wanted to play. I fed her, changed her and fed my 11 day old and next thing you know it's one and 1/2 hours later and I still hadn't eaten. Small things like that - not that it's a bad thing though. Kids come first and your priorites get rearanged. Kids can show you a way to look at life through different eyes, but I'd wait in your case. In addition, if things don't work out with you and your girl/wife, you're creating problems for yourself in the future right now. Enjoy your freedom now - go to places you've never been before. Buy some things. Go out. It becomes very difficult to continue your current lifestyle once there's a kid in the picture.

Answer 3

I was a mother at 19. I dont know waht I DIDNT have or what I gave up, because my life was very rich and satisfying being a parent. I loved every moment of it, and 34 years later, have no regrets. Yes, it costs a lot. I will never be wealthy, but thats not important.

I worry that all your questions focus on what it willcost in money, other opportunities and so on. I think maybe if you are asking negative things, maybe you should wait a fewyears, until you are financially more secure, and you are very sure you want children. It is a 24 hour-a-day, 7 day a week job for ever.

Good luck

Answer 4

Yes, life is definitely different from being single to a parent. It is a different feeling and depend from person to person how do you take it. Baby, means a lot of attention, energy because poor soul cant do anything on its own. You have to feed, bath, change nappies, wash his potty. But, when you do all these you will find a great satisfaction because the Baby is all yours. You will have to give up a lot of things depending upon the circumstances. But, inspite of all these being a parent is a wonderful feeling and you should cherish the same.

Answer 5

Before the child, everything was nice and quiet. I had a clean house. I was able to come and go as I pleased. I loved to sing karaoke and have lots of fun. After the baby was born, there is nothing but constant noise, always noisy. My house is a mess, all cluttered with toys and stuff, and I have not been out to sing karaoke in 5 years. I gave up everything, but it was all worth it, cause I have a wonderful 5 year old little shite. lol :-)

Answer 6

Well for one a kid! Look at it this way the hospital charges you the father $5000.00 to give birth to the child, then you got diapers,clothes, cribs, beds, toys, food, and no free time. My advice wait until your older and making a better rate of pay, enjoy being young and don't rush it.
-NmD!

Answer 7

i'll started my thinking of being a father at 35 with my 2 sons (5 & 2).

Answer 8

very different. i'm a single mum and i have to part with my life for that. Things have change since my baby girl came. My previous life gone, most friends gone...