I can’t wait to be a mother. Everywhere I look, I see happy parents with babies and it makes my insides explode — but while I absolutely adore babies, I know that they require a lot of time, attention and care. Bringing another human being into this world is a monumental responsibility, and I trust my instinct to wait until I feel more prepared.
- I don’t fully know myself yet. As a 20-year-old, there are things I’m constantly learning about myself and others. Every year that passes, I develop into a more mature woman who knows how to take care of her business. When you’re young, you’re more likely to make mistakes and be selfish. Once you have a baby, you can no longer put your wants and needs first; your child is your top priority at all times.
- I need to learn how to take care of myself first. Sure, I can go to bed at a somewhat decent time and make myself some Easy Mac for dinner, but that doesn’t mean I’m fit to take care of another human being. Finding a balance in life is hard, and adding a baby into the mix is difficult if you don’t already know how to satisfy your own needs and desires. The more I know about myself, the better I’ll be at taking care of my mini-me.
- I have professional goals I want to reach. Although I have two internships, I still have a lot of progress to make before I’m on salary. You have to prove your potential when you’re a young person in the workplace, and having a baby too young will keep you from climbing the ladder at a rate that makes you feel emotionally and professionally fulfilled.
- I barely get enough sleep as it is. Babies have terrible sleep schedules. You have to be available to them 24/7, which is no easy feat when you’re having trouble staying awake as it is. When you’re young, you require more sleep because you’re doing more. Once you’re older, life slows down enough so you can focus your attention on other things, like starting a family with your significant other. I think I’ll wait.
- There are so many more memories I want to make before I’m a mother. Of course I can’t wait to be a mom one day, but for now, I want to take advantage of being young, wild and free. Sure, I have responsibilities, but I’m still able to go out with friends and cause trouble every once in a while.
- I’m not done being a young, naïve adult. I know I’m not fully mature and I’m okay with it. I know I have many years before I’m wise enough to be a mother, so for now, I’m focusing on making as memories as possible while I’m capable of staying up all night and still going to work from 9 am to 5 pm the next day.
- I have so many more life lessons to learn. I want to be the best mother I can be, and the only way I will get to that point is by giving myself time to grow into a levelheaded, sensible woman. Technically I’m an adult, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a lot more to learn before I’m a top-notch guardian.
- My boyfriend and I need to make sure we’re going to last long-term before we start a family. I have seen far too many broken families to have a child before my boyfriend and I are ready. Securing a relationship takes time, and it’s important that we are extremely stable before we get pregnant because we need to set an example for our child.
