Right time to have a baby?

americanjet

 Hey guys, I am new on here, but was a memeber of the knot, not so long ago... 

Hubby and myself have talked about having a baby in about 3/4 years time, once we have bought a house, new car and have savings in place, and me with a permanent job. However for the past 6 months now, I have been increasingly broody and am slowly getting to the point that we are always waiting for something else to stop us having a baby when we actually want it. I was wanting to buy a house, but we have to save for a deposit, then we'd have to reonvate/redecorate and then save again for the baby, when this will take years and I feel I am ready now. Hubby is ready and has been for about a year, but didn't want to pressure me. I was thinking if we give ourselves a year to save up enough money and start trying about next August/September, we'd have a bit more money for the baby. So I guess I am asking for advice, are we mad? Has anyone else had similar feelings? How much would we really need, savings wise? hubby has a permanent job and I have a temp contract ending next May, so we can save up quite a bit until then. 

 Thanks

Dr.Loretta

I would run this by the gals on the Money Matters board on the Nest. They can look at your budget, savings, etc. and tell you how they think you stand right now.

Some people aren't comfortable with TTC until all their ducks are in a row. Others throw caution to the wind and TTC whenever they want. And there are those who fall somewhere in the middle. It all depends on *your* comfort level.

jjgrl55

I agree with above poster- it depends on what kind of person you are. If you would be stressed about being pregnant without everything lined up and prepared, you should wait. But, if you are good at and like handling situations as they come up, good or bad, then just go with your gut and start trying. Also, depending on your age, remember that TTC can take a while- and then you still have 9 months to prepare.

In the end though, you WILL survive, even if you find out you are pregnant tomorrow. It's all about the situation YOU feel best about- there is no perfectly ideal time to have a baby. You seem intelligent and stable, so chances are, you could have a baby whenever you and DH are ready and be perfectly happy with that decision.

kpmommy

I hear you. My first child was conceived on my honey moon after forgetting to take my birth control pills in the whirl wind of planning and traveling to the wedding site. Then we thought it takes time to get pregnant and didn't opt for using condoms. Plus, it was our honeymoon. Anyway, it wasn't planned. I got layed off shortly after having my son and it turned out to be the best thing ever.  We still managed to buy a home quicker than expected. But we were always saving so we managed well. Now that we have school tuition, a mortgage, car notes and other bills it is much harder to move from 1 to 2. But I say this, if you know in your heart that you expect to have a financial burden and you can not give the child the things you want for that child. Like awesome child care, clothing, healthcare, nutrition and a present mommy and daddy. Than I say wait a little while longer. plan a little more. Get rid of some debt and build some things that will put you in the place to give your child want you want to give them. We plan on trying for number 2 in March. I would really like to be pregnant now but after another major life change we are going to make a few adjustments to make things easier. Trust me you will only stress yourself out more worrying about how to pay for this or that and having to make choices to save money that you would not normally want to do.