I'm 16 and i think I'm old enough for a baby. but my friend thinks I'm too young. I'm I ?

Answer 1

You are too young.
18 or 19 is the minimum age for a mother. in my book.
Mom had me at 29 however.

Most parents are 25 or 30 years older than their offspring.

Answer 2

Well, it would probably be better to wait until you are out of school and have a steady job so you can support your baby, and not have to depend on your parents or anybody else. But, if you feel that you have all of that now, then thats fine too. I strongly believe that age does not determine a good mother! You could have a baby right now at age 16 and be ten times better of a mom then some of these 30 year old moms. But, please make sure your baby has a good father that will be by your side and support you because you don't want to go through alone. Don't just have a baby with a guy you've only been dating for like 2 months. Make sure that you love him and he loves you, I would wait and be with him for about two years and make sure he's the one you want to be with and he's the one you want to raise a baby with. If you've been with your man long enough to know that, then follow your heart, just make sure you always put your baby first, and make sure thats what he wants too. Like I said, age doesn't determine a good mom... no matter how old you are, if your hearts in the right place...

Answer 3

Well, let's see... do you like going out on the weekends? Hanging out with your friends whenever you want? Going out on dates? Sleeping through the night?
All of those things are gone as soon as you have a baby if you're going to be a good mother. You're less likely to finish high school or go to college.

From a different standpoint, what kind of job do you have? What kind of job does your boyfriend have? Because if you're going to have a baby and let your parents pay for it, then you're not being a responsible parent.
How long have you and your boyfriend been together? Do you really think he's going to stick by you through the pregnancy and after? A lot of high school sweethearts don't work out.

You're not going to have much in common with your friends anymore because you'll be talking about the baby, staying up all night while it was crying, first words, etc. while they're talking about the last party, who they have a crush on, and where they're going to college. All of these things will seem insignificant to you by then.

I'm not trying to be harsh, but you have to look at this realistically. This is not something you can give back if you decide you weren't ready. It's not a puppy that you can give away or a goldfish you can flush down the toilet. This is a living, breathing person, and once you become a mother, you're a mother until the day you die. It never stops.

If you really think you're ready for that, there's nothing I can say to change you're mind. But, if you had to put it up on Yahoo! Answers and ask complete strangers for advice on the topic, I don't think you're ready. At least wait until you're done with high school. It's hard to get a job that pays well nowadays without a college degree unless you own your own business. It's a lot harder for someone without even a high school diploma.

Answer 4

you are too young to be talking about wanting a baby your 16 your still young so just focus on being 16 and enjoy being young if you have a baby all the fun ends. Itell you what if you know someone that has a baby ask them if you could keep him/her for the weekend one that's not over age 2 because anything over 2 is not a baby. another thing try babysitting first and she if you don't change your mind having a baby,taking care of a baby and as a matter of fact everything that comes and goes with taking of a baby is hard very hard it's no picnic so try the babysitting for awhile that way you can earn some money in the process good luck.

Answer 5

You my think you are old enough, but do you have all the necissities to care for a child? I had my son right after i turned 18, and I believed i was ready, at that time. A few months i realized how hard it actually is, the stress, the hormonal changes, and being pregnant alone does a huge toll on you body and mind. The growing stomach eventually hurts your back very badly, and makes your legs go numb if u sit or stand for too long. Once you hit the last month, sleep is def out of the question, waking up every 15-20 min to go pee, and after the baby's born they will eat every 2-3 hrs. Do you honestly think that right now you can handle all the stress of the baby cryings and trying for an hour solid to figure out what's wrong, or cholic (which means the baby will be awake and crying for hours). I think you should wait till you finish school and get a solid job and save money, then when u think you are fully prepared (emotionally and money wise) then go for it. Granted it's hard but it's one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but it is also incredibly difficult.

Answer 6

LOL I tell u this. Find a family member that has a baby that is 3 months or older ask them if u can keep the baby for 6 weekends straight. You don't get any help from anyone not even your mother and see if u can hadle it by yourself? If u can then u talk to your doctor about what u are thinking. If u can't not even for a second. Then u have found your answer. I guarantee U know what the answer is and you're friend is a smart one. I would listen to her if I were you. I don't know what is going on with you in your life that makes u want to have a baby and what loe in your life u feel could be replace with a baby as young as you are, but hun I would find other avenues to persue. Because for me having a baby at 19 was hard for me. Things I use to do, I couldn't do any more. I had to work hard to support me and my baby. Everything evloved around her. Besides I had a rough pregnancy with her too. That is something you will have to consider. You think having a baby will be fun? Try carrying them? Morning sickeness for months, not being able to stand ordinary smells or eat your favorite meals because it doesn't agree with the baby. Not being able to fit in your favorite jeans. Not to mention the doctor's visits, having to go for assistance to pay for all of this since u are a minor. Eventually having to find work for your own vehicle because u will have to have it. There might be times u won't have anyone avaliable to take u and your baby place or even appointments. Also having to look for child care so u can go to school. Hun, look into this before u leap. Talk some girls your age that have children and see what they are going through. Its not easy as u are thinking it is. They will definitely tell u that. I pray u make the right decision. Right now your future is what u make it, but if u want it successful get your education. Will pray for u.

Answer 7

I had my son at 21 and I don't feel that I was even old enough, you definatly need to wait. Although age isn't the only thing you need to consider, you should be in a loving relationship so that your baby can have the love of a Mommy and a Daddy (if you're planning this ahead of time, I realize alot of kids don't have this and grow up to be amazing children and are loved immensly by a single parent) you need to be finacially stable, have an education and be mature enough that you wont resent the baby when you can't go out and hang out with your friends. It is possible for a 16 year old immature child to raise a baby, but why have a child now when you have the choice to wait until you can give that baby EVERYTHING it needs?

Answer 8

First of all everyone else is right about the financial situation, the partner situation, and the normal teenage life situation. I am only 18 and I can remember what life was like at 16. You will not believe the amount of change that you will go through in two years time. And I know I am not done growing up yet. I think that maybe you have other issues that are causing you to want a baby. If it has to do with love, or lack of, than it is not right to have a baby. If you're trying to get your boyfriend to love you than forget it because this will most likely drive him away. If you are trying to get love from a baby because you feel lack of love at home or anywhere else, than I suggest that you talk to a therapist, they really do help. I hope I wasnt too harsh.

Answer 9

hi........
I'm 16 too and I feel I have some things to ask you:
Is your family/country OK with it?
If both are OK, and you feel EXTREMELY sure about this, then go ahead. But I have to warn you, it's a cruel world out there, and you won't hear a lot of nice things if you go for it. Also, do you feel you can handle that kind of responsibility? Give up all you did as a teenager and essay a long-term, challenging lifestyle called motherhood? Do not suppose having a baby is the way you think it will be. It is painful, exasperating and exhausting both physically and psychologically. Consider thoroughly all the possible scenarios you could face before you take action.
I believe you are now mature enough to decide for yourself, but remember, make the wrong choice, and you'll regret it forever.....
Last but not least, being a mother is a big step, being a teenage mother is an even bigger one, and being a teenage SINGLE mother is the biggest step of all. Don't attempt it if you don't have a reliable and mature partner.
I am looking forward to see you doing what really is best for you!

Answer 10

At 16 you feel a lot of the feelings of someone...say 20-25. The problem is, at 16 you do not realize the true concequences of somethings. Believe me, raising babies is NOT easy. I got pregnant the first time at the age of 17. Actually had my baby at the age of 18. When you have a baby, your identity totally changes. That baby will cry. Sometimes, no matter what you do, it will continue to cry. That is just the way babies are. How they express their feelings. VERY LOUDLY. I love my daughter very dearly, but many times I wished I could go back in time and wait until "I had lived a little" before becoming a mother. PLEASE consider waiting. Someone else just can not put into words life experiences so that someone else can truelly understand. But experience does make a big difference. What is the percentage of do's and don'ts in your situation/question. Listen to the voice of experience.

Answer 11

Having a baby is a life changing decision, not to be made lightly or just because you think you are "old enough". Do some girls have babies when they are 16? Sure, they do, but it is very hard work to be a parent. A child deserves to be brought into the world when he or she has a mom and dad who love each other so much that they want to share that love with a baby that they created. How will you support a baby? Babies have lots of needs, all of which are expensive. What will you do when all your friends are going out? You won't be able to just leave whenever you want. Graduate from high school and go out into the world before you have a baby. Find out who you are and what you want from your life. Your baby deserves to have a mom who is settled, financially secure, and happily married to his/her daddy.