Should I have a baby just before grad school?

Question

I'm 30 years old, married to a wonderful 27 year old man. We're both in college. I'm graduating in a few months; he has a couple years left. I would like to go to a prestigious art graduate school but its unsure if I will be accepted.

Anyway, my question is if I should have a baby now? Has anyone gone to grad school with a first child newborn? How difficult will it be? I'm sure my Mom-in-law will help in any way she can and already helps. We live OK on our own finances right now.

I'd like to have a child now because with the dates I could have the child before grad school starts. I'm afraid to wait because I'm not exactly a spring chick anymore and I've been hearing over 30 is getting dangerous. If I wait until after grad school I'll be 33 (almost 31 now).

I'm nervous. Any advice would be great. More than anything I want to start my life but I don't want to make a big mistake either. Is this possible?

Answer 1

I think it depends on the type of support you have and whether or not you can handle the baby and the hefty student loans. I'm 23, graduated from college in May of 2006, and became pregnant by September. I had to put my plans for grad. school on hold, but because I have a very supportive family and a wonderful partner, I will be able to continue my education without a problem. It will be tough, and it's true that I won't be able to concentrate fully on my studies like I did while I was an undergrad, but I think that in the end, when you have your degree, the ability to have a better income and give your child all the necessities in life, you will realize that all the hard work has paid off. Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Please look at this situation from a parents point of view...

If you have a child now, you will ALWAYS have that child. With that child, you will always have the added expenses of food, clothing, insurance, medical costs and of course the cost of the hospital delivery.

You will also have less time to study, because your hours MUST now revolve around the baby's schedule (eating, changing, playing) at ALL hours of the day and night.

You may not go out when you need or want to anymore, since you have to wrap up the baby and secure them in a carseat and carry them wherever you go (library, bookstore, school, etc.)

You may NOT leave the baby alone when you and your husband want to see a movie, go to a restaurant, sports events, concerts, nightclubs, parties, shopping, etc.

Finally, once a baby is born you may not return it like you would return a lawn mower or appliance that makes too much noise. You cannot bring it to the animal shelter when you get tired of feeding it, cleaning it, wiping its ***, etc. YOU MUST KEEP THIS ONE!

But, once you attain your degree and your husband attains his degree...all you need to do is identify where you want to work for the next 35-40 years and then you are sensibly and financially prepared to have a baby.

We had a child while I went back to school in the 80's. It was the most demanding, humbling time of life. Please don't make the same mistake that I did. Get your education NOW! You can always have children....if your body gets past a certain age down the line (50 or 60) consider adoption. You will be better for it and so will the child.

God bless you.

Answer 3

My daughter replaced right into a ask your self, and that i replaced into in my first year as a Grad pupil (for Anthropology lol). My supervisor replaced into super, informed me to take a year off from my software and return here September. properly, I certainly have been lower back to it because of the fact that early September (my daughter is now 12.5 months) and it has its troublesome days yet i admire the stability! i admire having the flexibility to pass to college and ending my software for me, and that i admire being a mom too. i think like it replaced into all meant to take place and whether some days i'm notably exhausted on the top of the day, that's achievable and that i'm getting the terrific of the two worlds. that's finally your determination yet once you may easily discover the money for the two, then choose for it! i do no longer continuously have a ton of extra money on the top of the month yet my daughter has each and every thing she desires (plus some extras) and we've a roof over our head, nutrition on the table and lots of like to pass around!

Answer 4

I got pregnant when I graduated with my bachelors in 04, and was pregnant through my first two semesters of grad school. I just graduated this May with my Masters in I.O Psychology and my little girl is now two. It is totally possible. Good luck...

Answer 5

prob not a good idea