Do you think that 18 years old is a good age to have a kid?

Question

My gf wants to have a kid at 18. When she would be 18, I would be 20. Do you think that is a good age to have a kid?

Answer 1

I know some other people that have had kids at 18 and i say NO because you will not have a life of your own everything evolves around your child

Answer 2

It is a good age if the following:
1) You both are settled in your careers.
2) Have enough money to support the child properly without having to get government aid.
3) Have a good home outside of parents to bring the child home to.
4)Are married or have been together for a long period of time so your child will have a stable family life.

Nowadays, I doubt most will meet this goal at that early of an age. Too many kids think having a child will make them become an adult. Grow up first, when you are ready to support a child, then have one. I read that an average child to raise between birth to 18 years old can take between $250,000 to $500,000 to raise. Are you prepared.

Answer 3

Yes, IF:
1) You can financially support the child.
2) You do not have other dreams you want to pursue.
3) You are both married to each other.
4) You are BOTH mature enough to handle the responsibilities.
5) In case something happens to either one or both of you, your child will be taken good care of.

To make a long story short, it's not the age but your capability that matters. Plan and think well as it is not something you can change your mind later (like marriage where you can get a divorce). When the child is there, there is no turning back.

Answer 4

There is no fixed answer to this question because I know some people who had a kid at 18 and raised them beautifully. The opposite is also true, I know a lot of people who had a kid at that age but crashed and burned soon after.

Here's a checklist for you to answer:

1. Do you have a job?
2. Is she ready for motherhood? (having a kid is easy, raising one requires a lot of things. foremost of which is patience, sacrifice, and understanding)
3. Are you ready for fatherhood? (same as number 2)
4. Where will you live and raise the kid? Don't tell me you're going to live with your or her parents! Remember, there can only be one king and one queen in a home.
5. Do you know what you're doing? Remember, that's another life you're going to be responsible for. No one else is going to be responsible for the kid. Others might help out like parents and in-laws but ultimately, its you.


Lastly, can you honestly answer your kid 10 or 12 years down the line when he asks; "Dad, why can't you give me a good life?"

Answer 5

If a person or couple, are financially independent, have a stable relationship and home, are employed and can earn the money necessary to support a child for the next 18 years, then they are the right age.

I do suspect, however, that a young couple of 18 and 20 who are not married to each other, would not be able to supply the stability and strong foundation to raise a happy, secure child.

Good Luck - please try to make the right decision for the child, not the mother.

Answer 6

If you guys are ok wi sacrificing your early youth and it's obligations such as college, academics, having fun such as partying for a baby, and are confident abt the longevity of the relationship, then go for it. Raising a baby is lot of work and time and money consuming. Baby joy is overwhelming but it is frustrating sometimes, such as sometimes you have stay up all night. U r still in your late teens, give it sometime, don't go according to impulses. 18-20 is a period of impulsive, emotional tornados, let it go away first and think about a baby when you reach your 20s. Because there is a definite conceptual revolution happening that time once you reach 20s, aka gaining maturity. First I would suggest to establish academic, financial stability and then think abt a baby. But there are strong, successful early parents also.

Answer 7

Are you both able to care for and provide for the baby? DO you love each other enough to be in one anothers lives for the rest or your lives and if so are you going to get married? Do you both have health insurance to cover a pregnancy and childbirth and to care for the child. Are you ready to give up going out and having fun and just being young (but still responsible) are you ready for sleepless nights and lots of work and stress. Are you ready to put off furthering your education?
Having a child is wonderful, it has many, many rewards. But it also comes with great sacrifice and great life long commitement. Anyone considering having a child with another should consider whether or not they want to be in that person's life forever.

Answer 8

absolutely not. being a parent is the most incredibly awesome thing on the whole damn planet. but once you are, it is forever. your life is never about you again. i think somewhere in between 25 and 30 is the perfect time to have kids. you still have the energy to run around and play with them. you obtained more patience over the years. and you have had a chance to live your own life. (selfish me time) dont get me wrong, i have met some really awesome young parents. but they have missed out on a lot of experiences. Give it another 5 years at least.

Answer 9

My brother and sister-in-law had two babies at 18 they both dropped out of school and 4 years later are divorced..I think that havin a child has ALOT more responsbilities than people make it out to be..granted Im 19 and dont have any children Im gettin married and believe it is all want you guys want and what she is ready for alot changes when you have babies, get married and just living together..You might want to live together first..if you dont already..Good luck

Answer 10

Hey, it all depends on the person, you need to be sure about what youre doing as at 18 youre still young, babies are very hard work, you dont get out all that often and youre up alot during the night...I had a baby at 19, and Im so pleased I did. I absolutely love motherhood, and my partner is always here to help. So, as I say, only do it if youre sure...it can always wait a couple of years.
Good Luck