not really sure what to put here

[ashton20315]

I'm 18. I have been pretty active with my boyfriend, and we have decided that we wanna have a kid. thing is, i am autistic and have Functional Neurological Disorder, meaning i have tics and seizures, amongst other symptoms, so as much as i want a child, i'm not sure i'll be able to cope with looking after one on my own. i say on my own because my parents don't like my boyfriend, they think he's not good enough for me. me and my boyfriend live in separate houses, and i still live with my parents. we both really want a kid together, but just not sure how it would work, practically, with us being in separate houses. any advice?

18 is very young to start a family, even without the obstacles you mention.

Everything in my mind is screeching "No, not now!!!" but the calmer & more sensible thing to do is ask you what personal support is available to you. Do you have a regular counsellor, for example? Health visitor, social worker?

There are other services people here can signpost for you, it's just best to know whether some are already involved in your life.

I would wait until you are financially stable and in your own home, do you both work? 18 is still so young in the grand scheme of things.
Getting your own home and saving money are more difficult to do when you have a baby so I would sort those things before even considering bringing a baby into this world

i have a counsellor and a social worker, we both work though he's only part-time atm

Why now? You are so so young. Go and enjoy your life! Babies are HARD and a child is in your life FOREVER.

You wait until you are living independently and confident you can care for a child in all ways. Then your parents opinion will be irrelevant.

You change a lot in your late teens /early twenties. I would get yourself sorted financially- house, job, security. Live together for a while and see how comfortable you are living together. Then in a few years if everything is great and you are in a good place look to trying to get pregnant.

Thanks for replying, @ashton20315. How've you been today?

Your counsellor and social worker will do their best to support you with whatever decisions you make. As I'm sure you know, it's wisest to talk over any decisions with them before making commitments.

People here have pointed out that raising a baby is very, very hard. And it is an 18-year commitment at the least: you'd be responsible for your child until s/he is the same age you are now!

The practical, financial and emotional demands are huge. Please do discuss this in detail with your support workers, including what help would be available and what you'll be expected to handle by yourself.