Question: I Want a Baby, but I'm Only 18!
I always find myself wishing I had a baby. Yeah, I know I have my whole life ahead of me, but I feel so empty when I think about waiting 5 or 10 years. Although my boyfriend probably wouldn't agree with me on this topic for obvious reasons, I know he'd stay with me if it happened.
I can't explain my urge to have a baby. It's just a gut feeling I have that if I don't do it soon, I may never get the chance to. I'm around babies and children all the time, I love them so much, and I know I would make a wonderful mom.
I can't explain my urge to have a baby. It's just a gut feeling I have that if I don't do it soon, I may never get the chance to. I'm around babies and children all the time, I love them so much, and I know I would make a wonderful mom.
Answer: I know that feeling so well. Whenver I see a baby, I can't help but stare and smile, and I fantasize all the time about what it would be like to be a mom or even to be pregnant. I've had this feeling for years and years, even back when I was younger than you.
Now I'm 29 and married. Even still, I know that now isn't exactly the right time in my life to have a baby. While part of me wants one so badly, I have to let my brain stay in control, at least until I'm absolutely ready to be a parent.
The fact is, we're women. Our bodies are designed to make babies, and we've got maternal instincts that bubble up whenever we see or even think about little kids. But if you let your hormones control you, you'll end up making foolish decisions like having a baby before you're financially and logistically ready for one.
You might not be able to suppress your gut feelings, but you've got to keep your brain in control. You know very well that you've got tons of time left to become a mom. Your boyfriend might say he'll stand by you if you get pregnant, but of course you can't know that for sure until it happens. It makes way more sense to hold off until you're married or at least have been committed to each other for several more years.
When you finally do start a family - hopefully when all the other pieces of your life are in place - you won't have regretted waiting. (When that time comes for me, I won't, either.)
xo,
Holly
Note: this was a real question left by a real person in the Teen Advice Forum! (It's been shortened for the purposes of this article.) If you want to give her your own advice, leave it here. Or if you want to ask the forum your own question, come visit the forum.
Now I'm 29 and married. Even still, I know that now isn't exactly the right time in my life to have a baby. While part of me wants one so badly, I have to let my brain stay in control, at least until I'm absolutely ready to be a parent.
The fact is, we're women. Our bodies are designed to make babies, and we've got maternal instincts that bubble up whenever we see or even think about little kids. But if you let your hormones control you, you'll end up making foolish decisions like having a baby before you're financially and logistically ready for one.
You might not be able to suppress your gut feelings, but you've got to keep your brain in control. You know very well that you've got tons of time left to become a mom. Your boyfriend might say he'll stand by you if you get pregnant, but of course you can't know that for sure until it happens. It makes way more sense to hold off until you're married or at least have been committed to each other for several more years.
When you finally do start a family - hopefully when all the other pieces of your life are in place - you won't have regretted waiting. (When that time comes for me, I won't, either.)
xo,
Holly
Note: this was a real question left by a real person in the Teen Advice Forum! (It's been shortened for the purposes of this article.) If you want to give her your own advice, leave it here. Or if you want to ask the forum your own question, come visit the forum.