I can support a baby at 17?

Question

Do you see anything wrong with a 17 year having a baby when she is emancipated, living on her own and graduating this year. She can also support herself EASILY without help. And after her expenses she has 500 dollars left every month? And the college she's been accepted to has dorms for student, child and husband?

Answer 1

Be proud you have your life figured out! Don't question your abilities as a parent! I had my daughter when I was 17, she's healthy, happy, and has everything she needs (plus a little extra). By the time I graduated high school I had another baby. I went on to college while taking care of my kids after school. If I can do it you can too!

Answer 2

Do I see anything wrong with it? Yes, in fact I do. It isn't only about money. It's about getting up 4-5 times in the middle of the night, it's the vomit stained clothes, its the hundreds of diapers. It's the fact that you will be missing out on many things that other people your age are doing. Kids cost a lot of money. I realize that you say you have 500 dollars left after paying your expenses. But you don't realize how much more expenses you'll have once you have a baby. One can of baby formula can cost up to 30 dollars! A pack of diapers don't last that long. Then you have to buy baby food after a while. The laundry you'll be doing will be a lot more than now. As the baby grows up it will need a lot more, things for school, clothes for school, it goes on and on.

Sure it's been done before and will be done again. But the thing is they don't stay cute little babies, the grow and grow and constantly need something new.

I would wait, enjoy yourself for a while first. I can't beleive all these people telling you it's ok. It's so much better to wait.

Answer 3

The FIRST question I have is... are you already pregnant?

If not.... WAIT WAIT WAIT. If you wait, you will be able to have so many more experiences in life that will shape who you will become and have more to offer your child. Focus on yourself right now. If you don't.. you will wish that you did.

If you are pregnant... there are always ways to make it work, and if your child is wanted and loved, you will find ways... but $500 a month will not go far so you will have to be very disciplined and make sacrifices. My mom had me at 17. She made it through with help (family, welfare) but she sacrificed a lot and worked hard to get a better job while I was growing up.

$500 won't even cover child care, if it's needed. Day Care centers typically do not offer part time options for infants because they can not share a crib. Around here, day care is $800 a month

Don't rush things. You will be glad you waited...if it's not too late already.

Answer 4

I think what people should have been saying is that it "may be too difficult for you", not that "you can't." Certainly many do all the time, they were just trying to make it easier on you...Enabling you.

It sounds like you know what you want & have confidence in yourself... But it will be difficult... Try to save money where you can because child-care & unexpected ER visits cost a lot!

Really it is not the things that you have planned that come back to bite you. It is the things you didn't plan on. You WILL need help, so don't burn too many bridges, especially with your parents. If you show them that you are responsible & set a good example they will see that you mean well in wanting to raise your child! Just a warning stubborness is a sign of immaturity, try to be flexible & at least look at others points of view before shutting them out, otherwise that is what they will do to you, not listen whole heartedly. It starts with you, listen carefully to all, and then chose wisely what to do.

If you are not pregnant yet wait!!! If you are pregnant learn to be a good listener & hard worker!

Answer 5

Well we are glad to hear you can support your child. Also glad to hear that you are married or at least considering marriage. At 17 having a baby is not necessarily wrong but will be hard. I have known other 17 year olds to have babies and have no trouble adjusting to the additional responsibilities but I would NOT recommend it if you have not done it already. Go to college without a child if you can and have the baby later if a baby already on the way then do what you have to do but if possible get that degree- it will make a huge difference in your life!!!

Answer 6

Ok so you have the "here and now covered" so what are you plans for the future of this baby? How will this little one get into college if you have the funds to save for his/her education now? You can pretty much figure that YOUR college expenses will probably multiply by almost 10 fold by the time your child gets into college and scholarships are getting fewer and farther in between. Student loans are great but most companies have started requring they be paid off within a year of graduation. I think it's gret you've planned ahead...question is have you planned far enough ahead?

Answer 7

I think that you could easily support a child, but the question is are you ready for one? You have not even begun to have fun in your life! What about when you are old enough to drink? (assuming you live in the U.S/Canada) You are going to want to sit home with your child rather than go out and party with your friends? I am 22 with a 2 year old, and I am telling you from experience, it is not easy! Plus you have not begun college. If you take a full boat every year, do you know how much homework you will be doing?? Can you do that with a screaming baby with colic? If you have the choice to wait, I truly would! Wait till you graduate from college. But to answer your question, yes you could probably support a child.

Answer 8

Um...NO. Just 500 dollars a month are you crazy!

*shakes head*

There is soooooo much that you need to experience before having kids, you have another 20+ year of fertility left, don't rush things. And being married helps quite a bit too. My mom had 3 kids by the time she was 19, so she never had any time to discover herself, now that we're all grown she has no identity and nothing to do.

Answer 9

Im 17, pregnant, and giving my son up for adoption. I thought about keeping him at the beginning. I knew I could do it with the support of my family and welfare and all that, but why just settle or just "get by" when you could give your child so much more. Like 2 married people who are very prepared to be parents. That is alot of things to juggle at such a young age. high school, being a wife, having a job, and most importantly to the child, being a full time mom. Studies show that kids who are raised in a 2 parent home do much better in their school work, stay out of crime and drugs, and are much more successful in life later on. I love the people who are adopting my baby. I chose them out of almost 30 different married couple and I know that I could not have chosen a better family. They have offered me thier open home and pictures, email, letters, and phone calls whenever I feel like I need to see my child. They will always be indebted to me. I am giving them a piece of me. Yes, it will be hard, probably one of the hardest things I will ever do, but Im putting my baby's needs in front of my wants. I want to keep him, but he needs more than what mommy can give. He is blessed in life to have 4 families that love him. Mommy and Daddy's family, then his adoptive mommy and daddy's family. And his Father in Heaven loves him as well. I know I'm doing the right thing for him, and that's all that should matter. Do the best thing for your baby. Try not to be selfish, even though its human nature.
sorry so long, its a touchy subject with me.

Answer 10

I can't see how that is possible without assistance. $500 a month leftover is not much. What expenses are you referring to? Baby costs add up and as they get older, they cost more. Having only $500 leftover is almost poverty level.

I also cannot see a fulltime student able to deal with a baby. Studying takes up most of your time. What kind of attention can you provide for a child?