Does anybody out there think that 16 is too young to have a baby?

Question

See I was just askiing because i`m only 16 and I so desparately want a child to call my own. Alot of ppl that i know tell me that I`m not ready for a child but then again, others tell me that it would be nice. I`ve talked to my mother but she isn`t really telling me how she feels about the whole situation. I think I am so ready for child, man I just wanna get up in the middle of the night making bottles and changing dipers and sometimes not even get enough sleep for school the next day. Guys and Gals, plz give me your opinion because i really need an outsiders opinion.

Answer 1

seriously, you need to wait. its a big responsibility. you're a parent for life. you're gonna be able to do anything you want anymore. no normal experiences, no more dating, no parties, nothing. you'll have to give up expensive clothes. and forget about movies and such, you wont have the money.

but if you want to, go for it i guess. just remember that if you have child now, you wont be able to give it the best quality of life, yourself, too

Answer 2

At 16 your life will be made more difficult. Not to say that you won't love it but there is so much more to consider and so many things you just do not see ahead of you right now.

People have babies at 16, but I think you will find they will all tell you, they love their child but if they could live life over they would wait until they were a bit older.

Why don't you look after a friends child for a weekend or voulenteer your time to work with children on the weekends (lets face it that is less time than you would need for your own child, it is only weekends you are giving up not your whole life) It give you a sense of kids for now and all the love and cuddles and everything else you are craving and shows you the side that you cannot expect

Answer 3

16 is way too young. Yes, some girls have done it, but it's really not ideal for anyone... the mom, the baby...

Having a baby isn't all about cute and fun. It's having a new life to be responsible for. Getting up many times in the middle of the night isn't easy by all means. Why on earth do you want to do such a thing?

Also... let's say that your baby is born with a medical condition that requires surgeries or other medical intervention? At age 16 you are not mature enough to handle that emotionally. My daughter was born with a cleft lip/palate. She's not even 5 years old yet and just recently had her 7th surgery. I'm 39 years old and it's hard for ME to handle at times.

In most cases, the mom of the 16 year old is left taking care of the baby. That isn't fair to your mom, is it? I'm not trying to be mean, but it's reality. You are still a child yourself. Enjoy it while you can.

Answer 4

I have not had a full nights sleep in about 3 YEARS! It is no picnic! You should try buying one of those life like dolls that cry every couple hours and that function like a baby. Ask you home economics teacher if they have any available. Most ISD have such tools available for child rearing classes. Your mother isn't saying anything because it is a very delicate situation. Still being in school your mother will basically be having another child. She will have to pay for daycare because I assume she works. She will have to buy diapers, formula, clothes, wipes, baby bath soaps, towels, diapers, wipes, cribs aren't cheap, car seats aren't either. Diapers, diapers and more diapers. You can guarantee, depending on where you live, to spend at least $1000 or more before the baby is even born adn additional $400-$800 per month there after. I spend $200 per month on Diapers and Wipes alone. The sleepless nights are not fun by any means. Please... Please... do not limit yourself to struggling through life. GEt your education andby all means. You do not need a baby for some one to love you. If your parents do not provide the attention you crave find a mentor or even better PRAY. God does hear you and no one will love you more.

Answer 5

NO!!! You are WAAAAAAY to young! I don't want to sound mean in any way here. I was 20 when I had my son (I'm 25 now) and I was even too young. You need to finish school and make sure you are financially stable before you go having a child. You need to have a good job and a good man before you think about a baby. You think you want to get up in the night for a baby, but when the time is actually here and you are almost like a walking zombie because you are running on 2 hours of sleep a night, you will wish you had waited.

Answer 6

Yes you are too young. You have to start thinking beyond the baby phase. They don't stay babies forever. They grow up and need guidance, you are a child yourself. The guidance you can give is very limited. This would be an unfair burden to put on your mother, because ultimately she may be the one taking care of you AND your child. Think about all the people this will affect, not yourself.. Being 16 means being very self centered, which is ok. But when you throw a child into the mix, it is not ok. You will stop being your first priority and the child will become the 1st priority. It sounds nice now, but when you want to hang out with your firends, go to prom, even go to college - what will you do with your child?? Please think of all theses things - you have so much time ahead of you to have children. Right now, you should be living life and experienceing it to the fullest - a child will prevent you from this.

Answer 7

I thought it would be great to have a baby and got pregnant at 15, now I work full time, go to school after work and feel guilty about missing time with my son who is now 8... (But I do it ALL for him) Do yourself and your child a favor and wait until you have a good job and a stable marriage. It's funny because now that I am older, I would have waited a whole lot longer if I could because I LOVE freedom and the night life... when you are 16 you don't know who you really are just yet... TRUST ME. I'm sure if you wait you won't look back and say... "Man, I really regret not being a teen mom".

Answer 8

Oh you'll have to pardon the sarcasm in my answer.

Sure, have a baby at 16, ruin your life with no education and live in poverty and totally screw up not only your life but your child's life too. Wise up, grow up finish school, go to college, get married, get a stable job & house and THEN think about having a baby.

Honestly now - no more sarcasm...
if you want a baby so much, why don't you babysit for an infant/toddler or preschooler to see how it feels.

Answer 9

Ya way too young. You havent even lived life yet. They are alot of work and at 16 it will not be the dream you are envisioning. Wait till you are atleast 20 or more.I know woman dream of this when they are young ,but there is so much responsabilty that you cant quite comprehend at 16. How bout you baby sit some kids to fufill this desire. Im assuming this is a joke but if not ,please dont.

Answer 10

I believe that truthfully are too young to have a baby. i mean yes you probably think that you want to wake up in the middle of the night and change and feed your baby. but what happens on the weekends when you wanna go out. you will miss out on alot if things you like to do as a teenager. also what about the baby's fathers do you want him to be involved? does he even feel the same way as you? does he want a baby? cause having a baby at 16 is one thing but having one by yourself is another thing.

Answer 11

You need to realize that your body changes completely when you are pregnant you are worn out and achy and the only relationship you can count on lasting is the child and yours. You will have trouble becoming established on your own with a baby, You need to finish school get a job save some money and when you feel you can provide for a child everything they need then get pregnant. Please don't get pregnant because you want to feel that mother child bond.