Babies on the Brain

Too early/young for Baby fever?

Hi all,
I have been married 2 blissfully wonderful years. Please don't think I'm naive, my husband and I have fights and petty arguments and still disagree over how to load the dishwasher like every other married couple, but seriously, I could not have married a better man.
I got married very young - I was 22.  I'd already finished college and lived on my own (paying my own bills, etc, truly on my own) for a year so I felt ready. While some people still like to remind me that I was still a baby when I got married (whatever) I have no regrets.  I'm now 24 (still young, I know) and loving married life.  But...I'm starting to get baby fever.  DH thinks we should wait longer. He says we're having so much fun just the two of us and lets prolong that longer. No turning back after baby! My brain says he's absolutely right, I'm still so young and have plenty of time...but then BOOM the baby fever grips my heart!
I say all this about my being so young to give some perspective. I know I have plenty of time and should probably want to wait longer. I will admit to having every other friend getting pregnant left and right. It's really not a jealousy thing. It's an AWWWWWWWWWWWWW my ovaries are exploding!!!! kind of thing ;)
Please tell me if I'm crazy or if 2 years or even 3 is a normal amount of time to wait to have kids or something!
For those logical folks out there: We have zero debt (only a house payment - no car payments, student loans, debt, etc). Hubs has a fantastic job, we have a house, great support from family and friends, etc. I feel like we're ready. But again, 'feel' isn't the best indication, I know ;)
Someone please put my head on straight!!!!
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Re: Too early/young for Baby fever?

  • Jags8Jags8 member
    edited March 2014
    DH and I were 23 when we got married, and have now been married for almost two years. If you really feel ready, and are financially set/stable, I don't see the harm. But like your DH said, you can't go back once it's done! I thought I wanted a baby right after we got married, but now I'm so glad we didn't! I really believe in spending lots of quality time with your spouse before completely changing the dynamics. Though I'm finding it harder to resist the thought of babies now, since my DH is actually the one with baby fever!

    Edit: spelling
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  • I second what kimbus22 said. You are ready on paper and in your mind, but your DH isn't ready and you have to consider the hard part of having kids too. Trying volunteering with young kids or babysitting your friends' babies as often as you can. I've worked with kids for 15 years (I'm almost 26 and started babysitting and vomunteering at church kids programs when I was 11) and DH grew up around the kids in his mom's daycare so we both are aware of the challenges of all age groups. We also have a young niece and nephew we watch sometimes. It might not seem important but believe me, you learn a lot! I would say do that for 6mo to a year (and get DH involved by at least talking to him about the struggles) and then see where you are. But don't nag or trick him into fatherhood (not saying you would, just throwing it out there for anyone who might read this). Discuss it again every six months until you're both ready and then keep discussing it to start talking more specifics while you're TTC (things like, in our case, wanting to be a SAHM and homeschool, or how many, or where we want to live - we don't have a house yet - how we want to parent, etc). Best wishes!
    Love 2010 | Marriage 2011 | TTC #1 since 2012
    PCOS | Anovulatory | Metformin + Letrozole
  • I just turned 24, been happily married, and we are considering TTC soon-ish. I want kids, but I also struggle with when is the "right" time...should we travel more, have more time together? Or get on it? lol. I only know I want to be done by the age of 30 only because I would rather have kids young.

    I know some people who had kids young wish they had waited or become more secure...but 24 really isn't that young imo. At the same time I have also been advised that there is no "good" time to have kids, and if you put it off until X, then it becomes needing to accomplish Y, and before you know if years have passed. So ultimately, for you and me, it is between us and our spouses and what works for our goals and position in life.

  • I got married one week shy of my 22nd birthday and had DD one month shy of my 24th.  Like you, we hit the checklist of finishing school, getting married, etc.  When DH and I met, having kids was always in our future and something we discussed often.  Our parents both had us later in life and we wanted to be active and involved for our kids.  We also plan to travel as a family and experience things together.

    Like many of the PP's have said, I think once you're both ready, it will be time.  But if you're worried about justifying to anyone else, you have to be happy as a couple.  It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

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  • mm529mm529 member
    I can relate to your post. H and I got married at 23 and never expected to want kids until we were 30 (some obscure number/timeline we had picked out). Well now at 26 I have baby fever bad. 

    The only advice I would say is don't make plans based off 'what is considered normal'. Does it matter when other people start their families if you and your H are ready? Yes there are logical thing to consider like gainful employment, debt, and so on... but only you and your H can truly know when the time is right. The scary part is how to figure that out, and that is really up to you. I completely understand how scary that can be. As a childless person how can you really understand all the changes having a baby will bring? How will you ever really know it's right? I struggle with the same thoughts and I just try and remember that there is no perfect time to have a baby (or so people have told me). Best of luck!
    image
    Together since Nov 2006. Married since May 2011. 
    TTC #1 Fall 2014 :)
  • I mean, this is so personal.

    For me-- I was a hot mess at 24.  Also, I live somewhere that it's the norm to marry later and have kids later in life.  I have only one friend that had a baby in her 20s-- she was 29.  So to me, 24 sounds really young to have a baby.

    But there are plenty of people that DO have their shit together much, much earlier and a baby is the next logical step.

    You really have to discuss this with your H.

     

    BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12

    Lilypie - (TUWi)

     

  • If DH isn't ready, you arent ready. Don't you want to bring your child into this world to meet TWO confident and enthusiastic parents? Do some traveling with your DH. Start a baby savings fund. Think of it like this....you are strengthening your marriage and finances for the baby. So you are not stagnating. You are just prepping a really great future for LO.
  • I'm 23 almost 24 and DH and I have been married for almost 2 years. We always knew we'd want the first 2 years of our marriage to be just "us". Now, that we are creeping up on our 2 year anniversary I have baby fever bad!! H would still like for us to wait a few more months before TTC, so that's currently our plan.

     

    I always wanted to have kids young and where I'm from it's normal for most women to have their first before they turn 25. I think that if your H isn't quite ready, you should wait a little longer. But it's definitely a personal choice.

  • OP, I got married when I was 22 (almost 23). DH and I waited 4 years to TTC and it ended up taking a year for us to get pregnant, so we were married 5 years before we had a kid...and I wouldn't have it any other way. Waiting gave us time to get our finances in order, do some traveling, and enjoy being young for a little while before we added the responsibility of children. Don't get me wrong, I love DD more than life itself, but I am glad DH and I had some time to ourselves before we added her to the mix.


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    BFP #1 12/02/11, M/C 12/08/11
    BFP #2 04/06/12, DD born 12/20/12
    BFP #3 06/09/14, M/C 06/15/14

  • Look. I can tell you really want a kid. But the internet's not going to tell you when the time is right. Your DH will probably come around at some point. Until then.... get a puppy?
    Another chance to disapprove,
    Another brilliant zinger...
    Another reason not to move,
    Another vodka stinger!
    (I'll drink to that)
  • kdm06c said:

    I got pregnant when I was 21 and in college. We were definitely not ready then but quickly got our stuff together after we found out.  I obviously don't regret my kids at all but some days I do wish it would have happened a little later so H and I could have some more us time. 


    If your H isn't 100% on board, I wouldn't push. It is a HUGE step and kids do change everything (in good and "bad" ways). I wouldn't say there is a normal amount of time to wait, just whenever you BOTH are ready. 
    I can relate. I was 20 and in college. I had been responsible and working since 14/basically helping raise 2 sisters, since 12, so I've been mature for a WHILE. Some people just get it together. Even while in high school I just always new I wanted to be a mom. That was my main goal. Actually, about 10-15 people from my small 55 person graduating class all have kids now and seem to be doing just fine. BF and I were together a VERY short time before unintentionally getting pregnant. Luckily for me, he is truly my soul mate and we are now engaged. My daughter is my everything. And although I was never into trouble, partying, or anything I still feel like she saved me. She has taught me so much about myself. I have no regrets. And like PP said, I want to be young with my kids. Although I planned to have kids around 24, and we didn't have much time for "us" one day we will have that time again and I'm not worried. :) 22 and I'll be ready for baby number 2 maybe 2015 or 2016. Good luck!
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  • I didn't read all of the comments but I was married at 22 and had our first baby at 23. My hubby is 4 years older than me but it still took a little to convince him for a baby. We were together for 7 years before we got married, I had graduated college, both of us had great jobs and built a brand new house. It just felt like the next step in our eyes. We have always been a pretty boring couple, dont drink/party, never go on vacation and only would really go out for supper as our night of excitement. It does change your life but totally worth it. It just felt like the next step for both of us. Baby fever is very hard to overcome, but make sure you are both on the same page and dont push it on him. It will only push him further away.
  • You wanna talk about being a "baby" when you got married, I got married when I was 20 and pregnant the year after. My husband and I have not had the opportunity to go to school, but have one wonderful baby boy! The plan was to wait for 5 years! 5 years ha, that didn't happen. I think a decision like this is very, very personal. It is between you and your husband. Statistically, yes you seem ready, but it takes some serious soul searching to know your ready. There is so much that changes with a child and you need to be ready to be completely selfless toward your spouse, and he to you. You have to be ready to put a little someone before you 24/7. That is what you need to decide, am I just wanting a baby because it's time, or am I truly ready to put myself on the backburner in nearly every aspect? Enjoy this time, and if you decide to try and you get pregnant enjoy that time too! This is a beautiful time in your marriage and it will not last forever enjoy it. And enjoy your children when you do have them. That stage is beautiful too. But it will come in it's time don't worry.
  • This is a personal question with social influences! I was raised in NYC and when I was growing up, women were putting off babies for a career. My current neighborhood (3000+ miles away!) couples got married younger and have kids younger. It's sometimes hard to do what's best for you through social expectations, but you must do what's best for you! If DH isn't ready, give him time! For us, I wasn't ready and now I am. It's hard because social pressures are why we have 5 weeks to get back to pre-baby weight, to be do it all moms who master Pinterest. Some of these are laughable but having a kid comes with it's own social pressure like what sports to let them play, what preschool to put them in. Don't let us or these dictate when you start TTC! It'll be hard but it'll be perfect timing when it's the perfect time!


    BFP: 7/11/2014. ~  EDD: 3/20/2015~  M/C: 8/29/2014 @ 11w
  • I think that finding "the right time" is a mythical number that doesn't exist. I believe that every couple is different and you have to find your own way. All of my sisters and brothers had at least one child before their 19th birthday. At 24, I am the only one in my family without a child, but for me...having them before wasn't the "right time" for me. I have only been married for 6 months but I now feel like it is "the time". My siblings look at my child free life and think that I should wait longer and enjoy my "freedom" but its not freedom to me. For me, and for my wife, this is "our right time".
  • I wouldn't wait if I were you and your heart is saying go for it! Your body can handle it best when your young. i wish I had started sooner. I got married at 24 and had my daughter at 25 but she passed away (sorry for getting off topic) I am going to start trying for my #2 and am now 26. Depending on when i get pregnant I could be 27 when i give birth. So time really does fly!!! Keep in mind your pregnant for almost a year of your life so you really may be 25 when you have the baby not 24 depending on when you get pregnant. I say start the love making !!!!!!!!
  • Married at 23 (after first year of law school), first baby at 28
    Loved having those years to sleep in , eat out, go on vacations, etc. (also had to finish school, pass the bar etc)

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  • I had wanted kids since I was a teen and that desire only got stronger when DH and I got married at 19. He wasn't ready for kids right away so I patiently waited and he decided we could try for kids just before our 2nd anniversary. DD was born a few months after our 3rd anniversary when I was 22. It is totally normal to be experiencing the desire and "need" for a baby right now, but wait until your H is on board. Being a parent will change your life forever and as others have said you don't ever stop being a parent. GL in this journey and make sure to have open communication with your H so you both are on the same page.
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    Anniversary
  • Just thought I'd add my perspective in there...

    I was 22 when I got pregnant, 23 when my DD was born. I think you need to have a serious talk with your husband about when he would ideally like to start trying. I think you're at a point in your life where you know what you want and can bring a child into a stable environment. Good luck to you!
    image
    Me: 33 DH: 31
    DD: 10 (born August 2004)
    Married 03/01/14
    TTC#2
    BFP: 05/17/2014 EDD: 1/25/15 MMC: 06/30/2014
    BFP: 01/31/15 MMC: 02/25/15 





  • I dont think 24 is too young at all. My H and I waited until I was 27 to start TTC and I am now 6 months along and will be 28 when I deliver.  In reality, I wish we would have started earlier. I have many friends in late 20's and early 30's that are having such a difficult time TTC and it terrifies me. I always wanted 3 children but I worry about having kids in my 30's. I know that many people have no problems and I don't think that it is 'too' old- I just worry as so many close to me have had issues...and gone into debt because they were TTC.

    We also had a checklist to get ourselves together and I think when it comes down to it, no one is ever 100% ready. There will always be something that needs to be worked on.

    It really is a personal choice- talk to your hubby and see why he is hesitant...and then go from there!

    In the interim, have fun practising!

     

     

     

     

  • First of all, you should both be ready.  Instead of having the baby right now focus on doing some of the things you want to do before you have children.  My husband and I were married in August, I am 25 and he is 26.  We had been living together for a while before we got married and both of us decided to have a baby right after we are married.  I am now 7 months pregnant, and the honeymoon that we were going to take this winter didn't happen.  We did go skiing for a couple of days at the beginning of my second trimester.  But being pregnant does make things harder.  What I am trying to say is plan some things that you would really want to do before you are pregnant, because while you are pregnant trips aren't easy.  You are quickly tired, sore, and your clothes don't fit.  Once the baby is there, you're going to have even less time!  Plan and enjoy your time with each other, when the time is right and you both feel ready to sacrifice some of your freedom then let the baby fever kick in again! 
  • I second what PP said, talk to your DH and see when he thinks might be a good time. If the two of you are able to come up with a timeline then having it planned out a bit more may help baby fever. (Fyi I'm a crazy planner)
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  • edited April 2014
    I had baby fever at 24 as well. The timing just wasn't right though because we were still in college.  The last semester of college, my husband got baby fever. I'm happy I waited until he was onboard. I got pregnant in November after graduation, and turned 26 in the following February. I don't think you're too young, you just have to make sure he`s with you on it. 

    Edited to add: Also, I think sometimes guys don't tend to look too far into the future. Like my oldest brother didn't think about any future children he might have when he bought a house in a bad school district. Now they're stuck there and thankfully, their children are little geniuses so they can go to a special school, otherwise they would have been put in the worst/crime ridden schools in our area. 

    I would never say to push your husband into something because that doesn't work, but maybe check to make sure that he's thinking ahead. If you want three children and you want to space them out by six years, now would be the time to do it if you want to be young still. If you are cool with just one child or having them all close together, that's another option. If you're cool with being an older mom, then that's fine too. Communication is key.
  • My hubby and I were married when he was 22 and I was 23. We are about to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversy and we are now expecting our first child a month after our anniversary! I can't tell you how happy I am that we waited the years we did to just be together. We've learned a lot about each other and how we work together and apart. He was the one that always seemed to want kids, and I was the one encouraging us to wait! He is more than thrilled and I am getting on board ;) We are very much looking forward to experiencing this next step together! It's obviously a personal choice, but I wouldn't trade in those years of just us for anything! 
  • I can relate, I got married at 21 and by the time I'm due I will be 24. I have always wanted to have kids young (before I'm 25 at least) but I waited until MH was ready & gave the green light. Something went off in his head on his 25th birthday & he decided he was ready to start trying. My advice would be to wait till he's ready. You don't want to push him too much.

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  • I was 25. That was just right for me. Where I come from people tend to start even younger so I thought I was being responsible by "waiting" till 25. DH and I already had 5 yrs of time to just enjoy each other and we were both ready. I wouldn't push anything on your DH if he's not ready but that doesn't mean you can't bring it up every so often to remind him it's still on your mind.
    DD1 - 2010 TTC v2.0
  • I married my husband at 23 and I'm now 24 and 18 weeks pregnant. We didn't wait long after we got married but we have been together for 5 years and living together for 3.5 of those years. We  both graduated school and we bought a house before we were married. We've talked about having children pretty much from the start of our relationship and decided since we are both in steady jobs now was a good time. My parents were young parents and I got to do so many wonderful things with them that my friends with older parents didn't get to do. However if the hubs wasn't on the same page I definitely wouldn't push the issue. I work in a childcare center and I know it's a lot of work and responsibility. I definitely wouldn't force him into that. 
  • ajacot924ajacot924 member
    edited April 2014
    I don't think anyone can answer that question except for you and your husband. In my experience, I had to weigh the emotional feeling behind wanting a child and whether or not we were ready (emotionally, financially, career-wise, etc.). I got married at 21 and got big time baby fever. I decided that if I still felt that way in one year, we would go for it. After the year had passed, the emotions had passed (I still wanted a child, but it didn't feel like a "baby fever" level urge) and we knew it was better to wait. I am now 27 and I feel like I am in a much better place in my life in regards to all of the above mentioned categories to have a child. While I don't think I would have regretted it at 22, I am glad we waited. But like I said, only you and your husband can answer that. I agree with other posters, if your husband isn't ready, you should wait. 
  • I am currently 25 and DH is 26. When in high school and just after I was convinced that I wanted kids right away. I didn't meet my DH until I was 20 and didn't get married until I was 22. We still don't have kids but DH is finally starting to feel ready. He even sends me random baby names he thinks of at work. I was all sorts of baby crazy when we first were married but I am so glad that we have waited to TTC. I want for him to be excited with me while I am prego. We come from an environment where people get married typically before they are 21 and start having kids right away. I think that you are being smart by waiting on the hubby. Another suggestion that I would have is something that I hadn't thought about until recently but look into and learn as much as you can about the pregnancy and labor stuff. It's crazy how much isn't discussed and I would much rather learn about the scary stuff (like risks of different meds and such that they typically use) while I don't have the crazy hormones making me cry all of the time. 
  • We got married when I was 24 and had my son at 26.  I don't think 24 is too young for a married couple to have a baby.  If you BOTH want a baby, I say go for it.  It sounds like you have most things in order.  

    If you DH isn't ready yet...wait.  Give him some more time.
    PPD/PPA Mom...it has been super hard, but I'm making it! Slow steps...
    Mom to Carter (6), and Calianne (1).  
    Proud VBAC, natural birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering momma!


  • Got married at 27 and started TTC at 30.  We have had a crazy few years with school and moves etc but I am really glad we have waited a while to have kids.  We have gotten to travel Europe, have some last few crazy weekends and still have the luxury of doing things last minute.  We are both on board TTC but I totally will have a melt down when I get a BFP- then take a deep breath and be happy to enter the next stage of our relationship.
  • There is no right or wrong time to start a family. That's between you and your husband. I am 25 and have been married one year and we're talking about having kids in the next year. For us, that's what we want. It sounds like you are ready but your husband isn't, yet. Explore that more. Make a list of any goals or dreams that you want to accomplish pre-kids. How would your life change after kids? How would that affect you? How would that affect him? 

    For me, my main desire in life is to be a stay at home mom. That's my goal. So there is nothing holding us back except getting our finances in tip-top shape, fine-tuning some health issues, etc. Then we have the green light. Figure out why your light is yellow, and decide whether it should turn red or green. It's up to you!
    The Intentional Pregnancy Project & Family-Focused Living: www.lauranoelle.com
  • I was married at 19 (one week shy of 20), and DH and I started TTC a year later. Fast-forward three and a half years, we are still riding the TTC train with no baby. I believe that I was ready at 21 (it also helps that DH was 29 at the time), and I feel MORE than ready now at almost 25. It is a personal choice, and DH might just need a bit of time to feel out the idea.
  • Crow22Crow22 member
    Young? Yeah, I was married at 18, had my first kid by 19. And no, it wasn't a 'teen mom knocked up in high school' scenario, more like, my ex husband is 8 years older then me and was the ready one. So yep, super young. If y'all have good heads on ya and feel ready, and you're both wanting a baby, get going! And after babies come, people who truly want to stay together, make time for each other, that's just how it goes. You make all situations work. Does that mean I'm telling everyone to get married as young as I did? Nope, but honestly the thing I would change most is who I chose to marry, not my choice to have kids. My little dude's are awesome, and now at 26 yrs, pregnant with #3, I've got the right guy and the right life :) Despite my prior decisions, I'm happy with the outcome of my life :)
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