Is it a good idea to have a child at age 18?

Question

Well, every time I see a baby I feel like I want one...I know I am young but people who had children while they were young or older always say that they would never take it back and their life is way better now after they had a child...so I was wondering if I should have one...by the way I am in a serious relationship.Thanks

I just want to hear you guys opinion

What do you think?

Answer 1

I have a baby girl at 20, its the best thing thats ever happened to me. It was a planned pregnancy.
I am married and my husband is in the defence force so we were financially stable before doing this. Its really important to have a bit of money so you can provide the best life for your child. Love just wont cut it if you cant afford your babys medicine or something...
If your in a good relationship, feel ready emotionally and financially, there is no reason why not to. Just be prepared for criticisim. Everyone judges. Young mum's like myself get looked down at in the public eye. No one will accept that it was planned, they all just assume I got knocked up and am living off the government. Its offensive, but the joys of having a child far out weigh that. Its not easy, but its so rewarding.
Good luck.

Answer 2

I had my son at 28 years old and I still wasn't ready. Babies are not the cute cuddly creatures that you think they are when they are yours. I have lost more friends, sleep, and money than I ever thought possible. I don't care about the friends or the money, sleep is a different issue. I know you said you were in a serious relationship, but so was I. We had been together for 7 (seven) years. He was gone before the baby was born. My mother always told me that when you start to have children you have to base that decision on what you and you only are prepared to do. You can not count on anyone being there. If you are prepared to do whatever it takes to take care of your child and yourself I would say go for it. My only issue is the fact that you have no idea of exactly what that means yet. It is so much more than changing diapers, and making bottle. We are talking about producing another member of society. You have to be able to teach this person how to be prepared for life. How prepared are you for life? Are you on a career path, because in order to raise a child you need more than a job. How stable is your life? Do you still go out a hang with the girls on the weekends? When you have a child all of these things come to a screaching halt.
I know that at 18 were are legally considered adults, but I don't care how old you are, I have never met a person that said they were ready for children, even my friends that planned their families!

Answer 3

Parenting is a very big responsiblity, and babies are cute, but they are not so cute at three in the morning when you are wanting to sleep and they are screaming for a bottle. They need good medical care, they need a stable home. I feel that you should be married to the father of the child.

Yes many people have babies at age eighteen and even younger, but sometimes when the newness of the baby wears off and they feel like thier life style is being disrupted, the child is neglected. Not in all cases.

Things to consider.

Do you live on your own, and would you have to work?
A hamburger flipping job will not cut it, you need a good paying job diapers wipes and cloths formula cost lots of money.

Do you have your own home?
Living with your parents is not such a good idea, the baby has to answer to too many adults. Parents also tend to want to take over the child because the feel the adult child is not doing thier job.

Will you be able to pay for baby sitters or day care while you work?
it can cost up to three hundred dollars a week for this. When you consider bills such as electric, rent, gas, car payments, car insurance, plus groceries for you and baby. Because you may or may not be able to nurse.

Then there is the possibility that you may not get that ideal child that you want. Your child may have genetic problems such as syndromes or other problems that requires so much medical care that you cannot even work.

My son was born with a syndrome and has had to have many surgeries. I was thirty when I had him, but still it has reeked havoc on our pocket book and lives. It is a hit and miss as to whether or not the child we be heathy.

You also have to consider your on health, or you a tiny person, has your mother had miscarriages and what happens if that happens to you?

If you feel you can handle no matter what comes your way, then go for it. I can't stop you, but in my opinion, a person should waite until they have a good supporting job, and husband.

Answer 4

Never mind the instability of a teen relationship, no matter how long you've been it. Never mind the financial obligations raising a child entails. Never mind that you'll most likely put off your education and be forced to grow up really soon. Never mind having to meet your baby's needs 24 hours a day. Let's talk physical.

A teenager is automatically considered high risk because a teen's body has still not completed reaching its maturity, and the nutrients that a developing baby will need are also nutrients that a teen still needs to complete developing herself. Pregnancy is much harder on a teen body because of this.

If you are still not convinced, find a relative who has a newborn and ask if you can shadow her for an entire day, including the evening and early morning feedings. Ask to be the one to change the baby, bathe the baby, feed the baby (unless it's breastfed), soothe the baby, carry the baby, play with the baby. After 24 hours of that, you'll understand why it's important to wait until you are older and ready to truly handle all that.

Answer 5

If you are seriously thinkin about having a baby, What I would do first , is look at all the things a baby would need, And the price tag to go with everything. Nobody in this world will ever regret there child. But if they could see how much money it takes to raise a child, they would prolly wait. I had my first child 2 weeks after i turned 18. And I was in a serious relationship as well. We lived on our own , we paid rent , utilties, everything, And with a baby, It was extemely hard. And we didn't plan on having a baby. there were times we didn't know if we could get diapers. but we got thru it. Having a baby , no matter what age, changes everything!. But my advise is to , look at all those cute little things you see for a baby, and then look at the price tag, and add all that up. then add diapers, wipes, etc. And then make up your mind
best of luck to ya!

Answer 6

If you were in a serious relationship, by now you will be married. How can you think of having a baby? Did you finish college? Who is going to take care of the baby when you work? Is the father of the future child a serious person, older than you and has a college education? Don't bring kids to this world if you are not financially secured.

Answer 7

You need to look at a lot of things, your 18. Do you own your home? Do you make enough to support a baby, does he make enough to support you both while your not working after the baby, and if you can not work while pregnant? Are you ready to give up going out and having fun, babysitters cost money, If you plan on working after, daycare costs a lot of money.
And your going to miss out on a lot of things most 18 year olds get to do, let alone what 21 year olds get to do.
Just because you want a baby, doesn't mean it is the best thing to do, for you or a baby. Be sure that you can give a baby and child everything that they need.

Answer 8

No, you are still learning about life. You have so much time to think about a child. If you are still considering this please go through counseling so you and your partner can learn toresolve relationship disputes in a more educated way. Money and sex are the biggest issues you will go through in your relationship. Then if you are serious after dooing the work it takes, then I say go for it.
Get an education just in case things do not work out, have the finances to raise a child. My Daughter just graduated and there were braces and other things I never thought about. It is very expensive and you can not be selfish, your child comes before you both. Thanks

Answer 9

No, it's not a good idea. Yet, it's natural to love babies, want to hold them, feed them, dress them...but to be responsible 24/7 for a baby...financially, emotionally, physically...for an 18 year old, that's really not a great match. Think about it....you'll struggle the rest of your life to catch up...in school, college, owning your own home, getting married....because if you have a baby now, who is to say the father will stick around? Then you could possibly be a single mother trying to find a man who will love you and also love your child unconditionally. That's REALLY difficult when you're that young.

If you want to go out with your friends, who will watch the baby? When you want to go on dates, who will watch the baby? When you want to buy new clothes for yourself, what is your baby going to wear? When you want to eat out with friends, how are you going to pay for daycare or your baby's formula? Do you have financial support from anyone? How is your baby going to have medical insurance? Hospital deliveries are NOT cheap and babies get sick! Money is a HUGE factor. Daycare alone can cost up to $200 a week for fulltime care. That's $800 a month! Just in daycare. What about your rent? food? clothing? bills? car payment? Do you like to sleep in? Are you a morning person? What about working? Where can you work to make over $2000.00 a month to pay for all your bills and daycare? Can you handle devoting all your free time and attention to your baby?

Please rethink it....call a local daycare and offer to work in the Infant program. You will get plenty of baby-time there...and you can hand them back when you're ready to go home!

As far as your serious relationship...are you going to get married? Is this guy willing to have a child right now? Does he have a future ahead of him that includes college? Do you? What will your parents think?

Good luck to you....

Answer 10

I would have to say 18 is to young! Wait until you have decided on a career and you have money set aside. Not that I am douting your relationship, but 18 is also young to decide how serious it is.....wait a couple years and then think about a baby.
A baby is a wonderful thing, but it takes alot of work and alot of maturity that no 18 year old is ready for, not even the most mature 18 year old.