I’ve NC’d for this.
Myself and my OH first got together as teenagers - we had few years of ‘on and off - but now as adults in our mid twenties are very stable in our relationship. We own our home.
My job is very much a job where I’m in a way expected to have children of my own. Many of my colleagues do, and my friends outside of work, have children. Aside from that, my colleagues and friends all work shift work - our social lives/get togethers etc are therefore often during the week, afternoons etc.
After the loss of a very much treasured grandparent a few months ago, I am very much aware of how quickly time passes and how precious ‘family’ is.
Myself and OH have always always discussed that we’d both like children, but that seemed in the very distant future - up until recently.
Now I feel very much ready to start a family, I’m excited for the doors that it would open - a difference in dynamics in our relationship and our extended family; a different kind of social life with friends.
My other half however isn’t ready yet - and seems to push our rough time frame for TTC further and further back.
His friends don’t yet have families, although his sibling and partner are expecting their first baby.
We also put 2 and 2 together and came up with 5 and wrongly thought his other sibling was also expecting. At this point OH seemed excited and keen to want to TTC also - but since we have discovered that they are not pregnant, he has now gone back to not wanting to TTC.
We have just spend the weekend with his family - inc. pregnant SIL and it’s just brought home how I feel.
I have no doubt that if it ‘just happened’ we would be fine and both be absolutely thrilled after the initial shock (OH has said this too) but he just isn’t ready to try yet.
I’m also very conscious of how long it could take us to conceive when he decides he IS ready.