To discourage Dd from having a baby

[sandsandthesea]

She is 19 and wants to start a family. Aibu to be honest with her? She’s been with her dp since they were 16.

[mimibunz]

What are you going to be honest about? I mean I think it’s a terrible idea to begin adult life with having children. What does a 19 year old have to offer a baby? She’s still a kid, herself. Would she be willing to get married to dp, if only for legal benefits? And how will she support the child?

[malificent7]

She is an adult so not a lot you can do really.

[Pengggwn]

Has she asked you for advice?

[expatinscotland]

I'd always encourage marriage before children.

[malificent7]

Legally an adult but i do see why you are concerned...

[BlurryFace]

Unless they're under your roof or being financially supported by you, don't interfere.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

So her and her dp both have jobs and have a home of their own? If nope then nothing else to discuss....

[ashbah1980]

YANBU. My DD is just 19 and I had her when I was 18, DD2 13 months later and DD3 4.5 years after that. It's bloody hard work- me and exP had been together 6 months when I fell and neither of us could go through an abortion and fortunately both our families were incredibly supportive meaning we had childcare while we were at uni/worked- plus exPs parents had a granny flat so we lived rent free until DD1 was 6.

She won't for a second understand just how difficult it is- i'm fortunate because even though me and exP are now separated I didn't become a single mum until 5 years ago. The majority of boys that age are only interested in one thing- and so should she, tbh.

What is her social life like? Stop her going out for a few weekends and i'm sure she will change her mind.

[BoxsetsAndPopcorn]

What are you going to be honest about? Is she copying your path as most follow their main role models.

At nineteen, realistically she has nothing to offer a child. Any relationship is unlikely to last, she can't have a steady career behind her, no savings very likely and no stability of owning her own home. Does she even have the finances to support a child or will be turn to other taxpayers to fund this want?

Its a terrible idea.

[JoanOfNarc]

Tricky. I would say it's a huge decision with massive consequences and give examples, ie, you can't go out. And maybe encourage her to leave it a year to think on it. Ultimately you can't say too much as you may isolate her and she is an adult(of sorts). I feel for you OP.

[HollowTalk]

Does she work? Has she travelled at all? Does she have a lovely home? I'd encourage those things rather than discourage a baby. Let's face it, at 19 you're at the bottom of the career rung and usually pretty broke. You're more likely to be in accommodation that's not too good and not have things that make life easier.

The main thing is, though, that she can have a baby at any time (hopefully.) What's the rush?

[ivykaty44]

Are they both working and have their own place?

As expat advices marriage before children is very wise for the female

[KateGrey]

At 19 I’d be honest with it. Raising kids is no picnic and there’s a lot to be said for having fun whilst you’re young and then settling down. Do they live with you? If so they’re being quite unreasonable to think you’d want to live with them and their child.

[Somersetlady]

Rather than be homest tell her to go and research other peoples storys of starting a family at such a young age in recent years.

That might change her mind.

[Dozer]

Can she and her DP financially support themselves?

Is she planning to work FT? If not, and they’re not married, suggest sharing information about what this could mean for her personal - and her DC’s - long term financial future.

[sandsandthesea]

They both work. Living with his parents at the moment. She works weekends so doesn’t go out all that much.

[malificent7]

I din't agree that a 19 year old can't offer a baby anything...very patronising.
I do believe she will miss out on fun though and freedom.

[Skinnyboneylittlepony]

She wants a baby. Does she want to support an eleven year old, a teenager , young adult? It’s lifelong, not just a cute baby to cuddle and dress up.

[Leontine]

At 19, presumably she’ll be 20 before any baby is born. Although young, it’s not that young, as she’s legally an adult and is no longer even a teenager.

It wouldn’t have been right for me but plenty of people manage it.

[IAmMotherOfDragons]

I agree with malificent....it is very patronizing to say a 19 yr old has nothing to offer a baby.
How do you posters on here know what she can offer a baby???


Maybe explain how hard work it is having a baby, there is no off switch and theres no giving it back if she has had enough..... but ultimately it is her decision and her choice.


I chose to have a baby at 20 with my bf of only a few months. we're still together 12 years later, married with 2 children. we have a house, jobs, our children are clever, polite, well looked after and cared for, safe and above all loved!!

[sandsandthesea]

Yes she’d be twenty.

[IveGotNoClothes]

There is no way in hell I'd have wanted a baby at 19, however some or most of my school friends had them at that age and loved it.

I personally couldn't think of anything worse.

[Dozer]

So they are not financially supporting themselves. Seems unlikely they’ll be able to afford childcare. Either of them would be foolish to stop FT work when they’re not married.

[BoxsetsAndPopcorn]

So no home of their own? Is she thinking it's a quick way to get a council house? Will their salaries cover a household let alone chidcare at 19?

We all want things, doesn't mean we can afford them or that others should fund them.

[Echobelly]

I guess it may come down to the reason... if she and DP think they'd just like to get having kids out of the way early and have a plan for building a life together, great. And maybe they do.

If, for example, she wants a baby because they're having a wobbly patch and she thinks it'll make her partner stay, that would be a bad reason.