To Have Or Not To Have?

Hey there. Its amazing how similar my story is to mama's. I too was only 17 when my son was born and for my girlfriend and I at the time, having the baby was the only answer. It was a total surprise and not one that we planned at all but I have NO regrets whatsoever. He is now 20, going through college, working in a summer internship in the 1000 Islands region of upstate New York and I couldn't be more proud of him. He has also drastically shaped me into the human being that I've become and I like who I am as well. I guess you could say we both did pretty well by one another. To try and give some insight into your question, you have to realize that having kids changes your life FOREVER. Not only are there all of the responsibilities of raising them day to day, but when they're grown and gone, you're STILL a parent and continue to have those responsibilities. On the flip side, I wouldn't trade being a parent for ANYTHING on this Earth. It is an honor that I've been blessed with and I cherish each day. Hope this has helped and I wash you nothing but the best!

what a great question. for me, i was only 17 when i had my first son. it was a big suprise to find out I was pregnant. but the moment the doctor told me, i know that having that child was my only choice. i just felt that having him was the right thing for me to do, even at 17. I am so glad i went with what i felt to be right. because today he is 18, smart, handsome, funny, and one of the most amazing people I know. He is about to start college. i think this is different for everyone. you will know when it is right, you just know

personally, I think there are joys that one would never experience if one does not have kids. of course there will be struggles as well, but from almost all parents I know, they would say that the joys far outweight the hardship, difficulties or struggles. yes it is an irreversible choice, and something that is a very weighty decision in our society especially, since there are so many expectations and pressures. Just visit any primary school during admission season and you'll get a taste of it. For me, I would say a family would be more complete with children and I would say that my hubby and I have always known that we'd go the family way. :)

I think about this issue a lot. Part of me wants to have a child but the other part of me thinks 'are you nuts? do you realize how much of yourself and your personal time you would have to give away?' My personal time is very very very important to me. At this time in my life, given my finacal (sp?) situation, as well as being very selfish with my already small amount of personal time, I don't think that having children would be a very wise thing to do and I don't see myself changing my mind in the near future.

God just blessed me one day with a child. I would have never had any. Then after my divorce I fell in love with a my new husband who already had one. I say I would have never had any, but i don't know what I would have done without my little girl. You can't really say that after you have one because they are so precious. My plans were to never have any.

I didn't have a child until my mid 30's. It is not easy whenever you decide to have children, no matter what age. It really is just left up to personal interpretation. I believe if you are ready for children it is your choice. If not, that's also your choice. Your right, having kids is quite irreversible. I have a son who is four and I wouldn't trade him in for anything. Good Luck!