In todays society mothers are choosing to get pregnant later on in life. This seems to be for various reasons, financial, emotional, freedom etc etc.
I completely support their decision. It is the right decision for them. It works for them.
Why can’t these mothers support my decision to have a baby at 18?
I have a stable relationship with a man I love. So what that we aren’t married. We plan on getting married someday.
I don’t have to split my time between a career and my children. I can have my children now, while I’m young and still have a career. If I spend the next 12 years having and raising my children to school age, I will still only be 30. That is plenty of time to develop a career while my kids are at school without me. Much better than twiddling my thumbs.
I didn’t have to change my routine once the baby arrived. I wasn’t used to going out at the drop of a hat. I wasn’t used to my space. I adapted really well to the chaos that is a new baby.
I have the energy to run around all day with my daughter. I don’t think I would have as much energy as I do now, when I am 30.
I don’t miss partying. I was that friend who never went to the boozy parties. I stayed home with a book. I hated drinking in a social situation. I still do.
I don’t miss the so called ‘freedom’ that comes with being childless. After I left school, but before I had Amy, I was working all the time. I worked split shifts from 11am-3pm and then 5 or 6pm until we finished around 10.30pm.WHAT FREEDOM??? I was on-call if the kitchen had a busy night. I couldn’t call in sick because there was no one to do my work if I didn’t. IT SUCKED!
Sure I miss some things about not having kids. I miss lazy Mondays (I worked Sundays) spent in bed with a DVD and a book. I miss sleeping all night. I miss lazy 3am sex. I miss lazy afternoon sex. I miss eating a meal hot. I miss shopping for me.
All in all though, I think I chose the right path for me. I am a damn good mum. I work hard at it, I am up every 2hrs overnight. I spend all day entertaining my daughter. I don’t get time off or time out and I haven’t gone insane yet.
I am a young mum, but that doesn’t make me a bad mum. I do just as well as someone twice my age. Having children now is what is right for me.
On that note: Teenagers: USE CONTRACEPTION!!! IT WAS INVENTED FOR A PURPOSE!!!
Yes I am a hypocrite.
You answered your own question actually — Because we know who we were at 18, and we know having a baby at 18 would have been a disaster – so we assume the same for the rest of the world… that’s the biggest reason you get hit with a lack of support.
(Please note, this comment holds no judgement, but you asked a question and this is the answer that came to mind as I read your post.)
Thankyou for your input. I didn’t find the comment judgemental at all.
I think the point of motherhood is to not do it until you feel you are ready for it. I was ready at 18.
Thanks for reading the blog.
you are an excellent mother, honey…I am exceptionally proud of you..xoxoxoxoxox