Am I ready for a baby?

[happyhippie7]

Hi everyone. Me and my partner are both 22 and have been together for 15 months. We currently live together in his father’s house, and we both work full time. I have been very broody for a long time now, and would really like to take the next step with my partner and try for a baby. I don’t know if it would be bad to do this while we are still living under his father’s roof? I’m confused and could do with some advice. We are saving for our own place, looking to move further north in the UK as housing is cheaper. What should I do?

You should wait - there's really no reason to have a baby at this point. Save up for your own place - you don't need the stress of doing in a baby's first months when your income has taken the inevitable hit of mat leave.

Honestly if I were you I would wait. It would be so much better to start your family when you have your own space!

Also you are only 22 so have plenty of time to have a family.

That said, only you and your partner can decide when the time is right!

I'd wait until I had my own space personally.

The next step is to get your own place. You know that though, it’s so hard when you’re broody!

I don’t know why I’m so broody, have been for years. I know we’re still so young and have a lot of time it’s just hard when you want something so badly.

You need to wait. It would be very disrespectful to bring a baby into your FIL's house. I would be very unhappy about that if I were him. You're only 22 and you've only been together 15 months? What's the hurry? Take this opportunity to secure yourself financially and get your own home.

I don’t wish to disrespect anyone, you’re right I shouldn’t be in such a hurry but I can’t help how I feel.

I was broody from 16 til i got pregnant at 31. It's worth waiting. You'll want your own space with a baby and you're so young, what's the rush? Just save save save and do all the things that are harder once you have a baby!

I'm 22 and have just started TTC. Honest advice is that I wouldn't do it in your position.

I'm 22 by partner is 24. We have been together 3 years now and bought a house together a year ago.

I could not have coped bringing up a baby in my mums house. I want my own space and to be able to do things the way I see right, not my mum (although I love her to bits!!)

I completely get the broodiness, I have wanted a baby since I could say the word 'baby' but we planned and thought about it and now is our 'PERFECT' time.

Hold out, her hour own place and make sure you're financially secure, you won't regret it. Having a baby is expensive, we've made an extensive budget and realise it won't be easy and we both work and have a decent annual household salary (50K) for our experience levels.

Good luck!

You can't help how you feel, you're right. From my experience, broodiness comes in waves and can be very linked to your hormones. Try to focus on the bigger picture - the baby goal may be very helpful as an incentive to save for your own place.

You're broody because of hormones.

Honestly, you're still getting to know each other at this stage and don't even have a home of your own.

Save up for a house, go on some holidays, get married and then think about babies at 25+

Thank you everyone for helping me see the bigger picture, now is not the right time but hopefully in a few years we will be in a better situation.

Absolutely, op! Enjoy some fab holidays and eat in all your favourite restaurants that aren't child friendly!