So you wanna be a parent?
So you want to be a parent?
I was flicking through the channels today on telly and I came across the Maury show. I’m a big fan of drama shows and I watch them for a few giggles. Today’s episode was about teenagers wanting to have babies at as young as 13. I watched it and at the end, I couldn’t quite comprehend what the attraction is?
Yeah, a baby is soft, cute and cuddly; but surely people know that a baby still has the same bowel movements as themselves? That they wake up screaming and the majority of the time, you just don’t know what they want. That their as delicate as the petals on a flower and the slightest movement can upset them.
Becoming a parent is like becoming a celebrity. You get a moment where you’re centre stage and for the first week everyone knows your name and strangers in the street stop you and compliment your child. But after that week is over, you’re just another parent among millions. You go back home with your partner and child and you sit and think: What now? There’s that summer holiday we were planning gone down the drain. I guess we can’t travel like we planned, and I suppose I can’t really go out this weekend cause the baby is ill. Oh, look, there’s my friends coming back from that concert I was planning on going too.
But by the time these thoughts come to mind, it’s to late. At that stage, you’ve got to close the blinds and walk back to the crib, checking in a paranoid state that he’s still breathing and that the monitor works and that his nappy is dry. Maybe you should just change it, in case of nappy rash? But oh look, you can’t, because you’ve run out of nappies and so happens, you’ve run out of cash too because he’s now over a month old and growing like a horse, so you’ve had to feed him more and more.
Becoming a parent is an absolutely amazing experience, but at the same time, it’s a life long job. It’s not the case where you can just get rid of them when things get difficult. You’re in it for life, no matter what. When I became a parent, I cried for weeks on end. Most of you will be shocked to hear that, because I’ve shown quite a strong character. But the impact of a lifelong responsibility can destroy a person. The things that run throw your mind can be of the most drastic. I’m only 19 and my entire life now revolves on what my son wants. I can’t go out because my girlfriend is studying and I need to stay home and mind him. On top of that, I have my own responsibilities. Try juggling a relationship, a child, a job, college, inheritance, your own personal daemons and business all on one set of shoulders. It’s very hard.
This is why I’ll never understand how those 13 year olds could be so adamant, even after the experience Maury sent them on. There’s a lot of young people here on GSB and in a few years or even right now, you will be sexually active and for God sake, just think about it. It’s not worth it and yeah, it is a mistake. Shocker, hearing that from a parent. But it’s the truth.
I was flicking through the channels today on telly and I came across the Maury show. I’m a big fan of drama shows and I watch them for a few giggles. Today’s episode was about teenagers wanting to have babies at as young as 13. I watched it and at the end, I couldn’t quite comprehend what the attraction is?
Yeah, a baby is soft, cute and cuddly; but surely people know that a baby still has the same bowel movements as themselves? That they wake up screaming and the majority of the time, you just don’t know what they want. That their as delicate as the petals on a flower and the slightest movement can upset them.
Becoming a parent is like becoming a celebrity. You get a moment where you’re centre stage and for the first week everyone knows your name and strangers in the street stop you and compliment your child. But after that week is over, you’re just another parent among millions. You go back home with your partner and child and you sit and think: What now? There’s that summer holiday we were planning gone down the drain. I guess we can’t travel like we planned, and I suppose I can’t really go out this weekend cause the baby is ill. Oh, look, there’s my friends coming back from that concert I was planning on going too.
But by the time these thoughts come to mind, it’s to late. At that stage, you’ve got to close the blinds and walk back to the crib, checking in a paranoid state that he’s still breathing and that the monitor works and that his nappy is dry. Maybe you should just change it, in case of nappy rash? But oh look, you can’t, because you’ve run out of nappies and so happens, you’ve run out of cash too because he’s now over a month old and growing like a horse, so you’ve had to feed him more and more.
Becoming a parent is an absolutely amazing experience, but at the same time, it’s a life long job. It’s not the case where you can just get rid of them when things get difficult. You’re in it for life, no matter what. When I became a parent, I cried for weeks on end. Most of you will be shocked to hear that, because I’ve shown quite a strong character. But the impact of a lifelong responsibility can destroy a person. The things that run throw your mind can be of the most drastic. I’m only 19 and my entire life now revolves on what my son wants. I can’t go out because my girlfriend is studying and I need to stay home and mind him. On top of that, I have my own responsibilities. Try juggling a relationship, a child, a job, college, inheritance, your own personal daemons and business all on one set of shoulders. It’s very hard.
This is why I’ll never understand how those 13 year olds could be so adamant, even after the experience Maury sent them on. There’s a lot of young people here on GSB and in a few years or even right now, you will be sexually active and for God sake, just think about it. It’s not worth it and yeah, it is a mistake. Shocker, hearing that from a parent. But it’s the truth.
Never said no one isn't ready. Simply said at that age it's more trouble than it's worth.
And thank you for your sympathies.
Dr.Hymen, May 22nd, 2010 at 04:55:41am
Yes, 13 is a very extreme age to be wanting/having a kid..but just because you obviously weren't ready for a child doesn't mean other young adults aren't.
And honestly, I feel bad for you if you think "it's not worth it and yeah it is a mistake".
Billie's Willie, May 20th, 2010 at 12:59:14am
i just found out that my mate is pregnant :S
DingDongDhavee, May 12th, 2010 at 03:45:37pm
I like this blog.
But I don't like babies.
D:
padfoot, May 12th, 2010 at 12:27:41pm
No offence taken at all.
Dr.Hymen, May 11th, 2010 at 06:00:52pm
Teenagers that young want kids because they want someone to love them unconditionaly, which is totaly normal. However, I strongly doubt I myself, will ever reproduce and if I did, would wait until I was a homeowner with a stable job- which would/will take me at least into my 30s. Which would be a risk if that was what I wanted, but I think it's the height of selfishness to bring someone into the world when you have no way of providing for it. I'm pro adoption anyway and I strongly believe that parents should have to take tests/lessons while the bun is in the oven. Too many parents suck and really dont deserve children, especialy the younger ones (no offence) because they end up resenting the child for stopping them from doing the things you talked about, or just because they are simply too young to cope. Waiting is so much better for everyone.
Yay!, May 11th, 2010 at 04:29:34pm
I'm with Mariah. If I have a kid it would never be this young.
Plus I would make sure that even if I got divorced, the dad would be with his kid.
nadroj, May 11th, 2010 at 04:13:07pm
Don't get married then, Mariah.
There's no obligation there.
Dr.Hymen, May 11th, 2010 at 03:57:51pm
I want kids too, but I definitely can't afford to have a kid at the moment.
I do wanna have them fairly young, so I can keep up with them, but not this young D:
I do have the luck right now where I can babysit and get my baby fix and have the experiences I may face when I have my own kids. I guess that's all my life has planned for the most part.
:\
Eyedeekay.
I want to have a kid, cause then I will have at least one person that cares for me :3
Of course then there's the debate over I don't wanna get 'married' because I don't wanna have to put my child through all this divorce crap if that happens ._.
captain america, May 11th, 2010 at 03:44:06pm
Good woman yourself!
You've got your head screwed on.
Dr.Hymen, May 11th, 2010 at 03:15:10pm
I really want children. I mean, every time I see one, I get broody and emotional.
But I know that I can't, yet, not if I want to experience life, travel, have a decent amount of money and a good environment to bring them up in.
Also, it's not fair ruining my boyfriend's life either.
TO BE DELETED, May 11th, 2010 at 02:38:45pm
I totally understand you. It's with you for life, even when they hit 18 and are legaly adult [ depending on the country]. you'll always have to be those set of open arms, readily waiting to take them back. I dread it.
Dr.Hymen, May 11th, 2010 at 12:59:00pm
This is exactly why I never want kids, I don't want that sort of responibilty/burden for the rest of my life.
Comrade182, May 11th, 2010 at 12:52:28pm