23 year old single and have been thinking about having a baby

I'd say some people are born to be mothers, when, where & who with aren't really the issue. You could wait till you're 30, happily married and find out you can't have children. That's just life. My opinion is yes... My child completes me.
But again I had a nephew before him & believe me, babysitting does not compare.

arsenic. Maybe I am being naive here but I thiught Armani was just suggesting meeting some friends without kids to enjoy going out and do all the lovely things that people with babies can't do? It must be frustrating to be single and not have a baby and have no one to hang around with in the same boat.

Yeah that's exactly what I meant.

Bloody hell, I don't think I'm strong enough for the internet today :(

I would wait a good few years before deciding to go it alone. I don't agree that pregnancy and birth are easier young. It is luck whether you have an easy time of it or not. I was very lucky at 31, and had a very easy time having DS. I have known 18 year old mums having an awful time of it. I don't think it completes you. Although it is wonderful having a child I was a complete person before. There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeling broody, and wanting to be a mum, but I think rushing into it when circumstances aren't right, and you still have plenty of time would be a mistake.

I thought noarmanis post didn't come across well either.

I'm glad you're going to leave it for a bit barbie. I'm sure you'll be a lovely mum in a few years time but life will be easier for you and your future dc if you have the foundations in place.

There's a reason you're trying not to use 'circles'

I meant this incredibly snooty part Terry;

I don't know anyone who had a baby in their early 20's. I suppose it's just the different circles people move in

arsenic. Maybe I am being naive here but I thiught Armani was just suggesting meeting some friends without kids to enjoy going out and do all the lovely things that people with babies can't do? It must be frustrating to be single and not have a baby and have no one to hang around with in the same boat.

Holidays weekends aways LIE INS having a wee in peace going out and so forth?

Inhad babies in my thirties and I didn't have complicated pregnancies, ifs great as the toddlers can use my Zimmer frame to play on. Dandy.

scottgirl I want to hi five you on that one!

I had a baby at 23 and a baby at 25 and was shocked at the difference between the two pregnancies and my energy levels etc.

Errrr Strawberry, perhaps because you had a 2 year old to contend with?

That isn't remotely what Armani said.

Oh I don't know. I think Armani wins the prize for shittiest post of the thread.

strawberrymouse your smug comments 'my friendship group is just starting to catch up and I'm very pleased to have already ticked those boxes' is a very strange one. I didn't realise it was a race. Very relived to not be in your friendship group. It sounds awful. And your post bares no resemblance to the original poster's situation.
But congrats on being a 'winner'.

Btw I was similarly just about sorted by 23, degree, just started a good job, married, own house etc and didn't feel too young but it's not for everyone. I'm 29 now and my friendship group is just starting to catch up and I'm very pleased to have already ticked the boxes. Children haven't held us back in our careers and projects etc, they are along for the ride.

I had a baby at 23 and a baby at 25 and was shocked at the difference between the two pregnancies and my energy levels etc. This was explained away to me as being my age (thanks a lot!)

Although back in the day, my mother had me at 29 and was referred to by somebody medical as a geriatric mother.

I'm pleased you have decided this OP. There is every chance you will find a lovely dp to have kids with, if not, becoming a single mum in your 30s, when financially independent, whilst not ideal, is very different to having one in your early 20s.

Am horrified though, and would not trust any doc that thought that 29 was old to have kids. The nhs officially keeps a closer eye on you if you're over 40. I will be 37 when my next baby arrives and my mw actually said my age has not impacted anything with this pregnancy.
I didnt get married till 33 and had my first at 35. Similar age to my friends. We're all pleased we waited till our 30s. Best of luck

Chilly chicken - I wish someone had described their day with a baby when I was 24! Might have made me rethink.

Thankfully op I was married by then but it's incredibly hard and then I did it 2 more times! Was I mad?! If I could have my chance again I would have waited until my 30's before I had the dc's. There's no rush and the age of the mother is irrelevant it's the experience of life that's important. Enjoy being single because once you are tied down with a baby that's it it's no longer about you it's all on them. Keep on looking for Mr Perfect too, he's out there, you just got to kiss a few frogs first.

You've made the right decision OP.

Looking after someone else's children is not the same as having you're own. Factor in the sheer exhaustion from getting up overnight, the constant clearing and wiping up (believe me I spend my days picking up food and wiping up) and trying to fit in washing and housework whilst your toddler is clinging to your leg or stopping them from emptying the cupboards whilst you're trying to put things away.

Everything you want to do takes twice as long. I adore the very bones of my two DC but I am so tired.

And don't forget you still have to be there when they're ill. Spending a week cleaning up vomit and diarrhoea, washing endless vomit covered clothes and scrubbing the carpet. And being up all night. Oh and don't forget potty training and the multiple accidents.

Having a baby because all your friends are having one is not a reason to have one. And something I'm not sure you've thought about, babies grow up.

I don't know anyone who had a baby in their early 20's. I suppose it's just the different circles people move in. The average age of a first time mother is 30 so perhaps you just need to find some friends your age who aren't having kids.

"I'd need a partner by the sounds of it", " I think it's better to have them young. "
You don't have a clue. You haven't thought about this at all.

You are twenty years away from your age having any real impact upon the ease of your pregnancy or the way your body will cope with the rigours of motherhood.
Having a child on your own will most likely make you feel incomplete and leave you wishing you waited to find a supportive partner.
I'm really irritated by your posts.