2007-03-12 02:18:29 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I think 18 is too early to get pregnant... period. You are only 18 and have so much growing to do, metally and emotionally. You don't even know what's out there because you have only begun to test the waters, and I'm not talking about dating. What are your hopes and dreams? What do you want to do in life? What kind of person do you want to become? If you become pregnant right now, I assure you that all these questions will be pushed out of your mind because you will be too busy taking care of baby. You will never get to work on yourself, and you *will* regret that later, and possibly resent the child for it, which is an unhealthy situation.
Here is what could happen. You could get pregnant, and then stay home and take care of the baby. The father could be immensly involved. You would never trade what you have now because you have bonded with the baby. But that doesn't change the fact that sometimes you just need to get away...but you can't. You missed out on a lot of opportunities, and you will have to wait until baby is much older in order to grab another. What if your guy isn't that involved? What if he's going out every weekend, leaving you home to tend to the baby? After a while, it will gnaw on you. You will start to feel like a martyr. Or you could just start dumping the baby off with grandma so you can still party, (like some girls I know that got pregnant too soon) but that's completely irresponsible. And what if dad doesn't want to have anything to do with baby? Then what? Every kid deserves two loving parents who are grown and ready to take on the 18 (minimum) year parenting challenge.
The truth is, when you have a baby, life as you know it is OVER. Your child is your number one priority: affection-wise, attention-wise, financially, everything. They control every decision you make- they control whether you get to sleep tonight or whether you get to take a shower tomorrow. Are you (financially, emotionally, mentally) prepared to take care of a child with a premanent health condition, if it should happen? You don't know. You will, because you have to, but it is a lot of sacrifice.
Here is Dear Abby's
ARE YOU READY FOR PARENTHOOD?
(1) Can you support the child financially? Children are expensive. I always urge people to complete their education and delay parenthood until they are self-supporting, in case they should find themselves in the role of sole provider.
(2) Can you support the child emotionally? Babies are cute, but they are also completely helpless and emotionally needy. While some young women say they want a baby so they'll have someone to love them, the reality is it's the parent's responsibility to love and sacrifice for the child. In plain English, this means the end of a normal teenage social life because babies are extremely time-consuming.
(3) Are you prepared to be a consistent parent? Children learn by example -- both good and bad. Are you prepared to be a role model for the behaviors you want your child to mimic? Because mimic they do. They learn more from what they observe than what they're told.
(4) Have you read up on child development? Are your expectations of what a child should be able to accomplish as he or she reaches various chronological milestones realistic? Ditto for your partner, whether or not he or she is the child's biological parent.
(5) Are you prepared to put someone else's needs before your own for the next 18 to 21 years? Remember, babies can't be returned to the manufacturer for a refund if you're not 100 percent satisfied. Sometimes they come with serious challenges. Can you cope with those realities?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, I strongly advise postponing parenthood.
2007-03-12 03:10:24 · answer #1 · answered by punchy333 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! 6 years in a relationship when you are 18 and pregnant is too early! 18 is young to have a baby. You are still growing up and learning yourself. I waited until I was in my late 20's and then I thought it was too soon. I felt robbed of my freedom, and once I got pregnant, and gave birth, life was never the same as I knew it. I'm not saying it can't be done, you can do it if you want.... but it is hard enough trying to be independent on your own at the age 18, and trying to be independent with a child involved makes it even harder. Raising a child is hard work, it takes dedication and devotion. You might as well put that college education and going out with all of your friends on hold, because it will be another 12-15 years before you can even think of pursuing anything that you might like to do with your life until the baby is much older. (unless of course you have a good support system, that will help you shoulder the parenting) good luck... I wish you my best. You can do it, but it won't be easy.
2007-03-12 09:30:23 · answer #2 · answered by mixemup 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the maturity level of the couple. I got preggers when my man and i had only been together for 5 months. I was 19 he was 25 but we both knew this was it. Not being married and in a new relationship also adds alot of stress to the pregnancy. Things are gonna be hard you may break up and you may get together. But things turn out ok bc i have a hardworking husband and a beautiful baby and it wouldnt of been any different if i was older
2007-03-12 09:32:54 · answer #3 · answered by breezy_er 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started dating him at 15...
I was engaged at 17, everyone said too early...
Living together at 19, everyone said too early..
Married/first child at 20, everyone said too early...
I am now ugh... 30, been with my hubby 15 years!
I am happy with how my life turned out, but just know..
I gave up a lot. While my friends were out at the bars, I was at home cooking supper. While my friends were at Daytona Beach, I was changing diapers in central Illinois. The Rock Concert of the Century? No, I was at the kindergarten performance.
2007-03-12 09:35:02 · answer #4 · answered by say_tay 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
18 is pretty young to have a child no matter how long the relationship. Are you pregnant now or planning on getting pregnant?
2007-03-12 09:28:58 · answer #5 · answered by kgee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you are 18, I would wait to become pregnant until you know for sure that the two of you are going to stay together. If you are married then that is a different story. Have you talk to your mate about wanting to be pregnant? i would hold off just until you guys are on the same page and hopefully married.
2007-03-12 09:23:15 · answer #6 · answered by Jennifer U 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the situation. But if you want my OPINION, yes, I think it is to early. I believe before you start a family, you have to have a foundation. Without that, the relationship probably wont last, and now you are stuck with having to take care of a little one.
2007-03-12 09:24:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hello? If you even have to ask this question, then you have some growing up to do. Why is it kids are always in such a rush to have their own kids? I think you need to find yourself and your self esteem. You can't love someone else until you love yourself first.
2007-03-12 09:30:25 · answer #8 · answered by jblu 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
depends if you are already pregnant or plan to get pregnant.
if you already are.. well.. the decision has been made.
if youre planning to, it could take months/years to actually conceive.
6mth relationships??????????.... hrmmm..
only you know the answer to that one.. but a bub changes it all and be sure you actually know the man and not just think you know him (if ya get my drift)
2007-03-12 09:25:54 · answer #9 · answered by who_me? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
18 is to young for one. for two you only have known this guy for 6months. wait until you are older and you 2 have been together longer. at least living with each other for a while. please wait
2007-03-14 14:39:35 · answer #10 · answered by peanut 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋