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babies too soon?

posted 2 years ago in Babies
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    1.
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    ladybug31087      

    I definately don't want this to sound judgemental, i think its just a juxtaposition of my husband and I's views  versus my friend and her husband.  Heres the situation...My friend and her husband ( and we are close friends by the way, shes not just an aquantance and I love her to death and wish her the best) recently found out they are pregnant.  They have been married less than a year.  Of course the first thing i did when she told me was be insanely excited for her and tell her a huge congratulations.  That being said I WAS surprised to learn they were actually trying to get preggo. My friend is younger than me by a bit (not such an age difference our friendship is weird or anything. We had a common interest and were both studio photographers for the same company- she is insanely gifted by the way and extremelly mature for her age).  That being said.  She is currently unemployed and her husband, while a really nice guy, does not make much money (okay , yes, i am aware money doesn't make happiness) I recently went to visit her (hand't seen her since our wedding) at her and her hubby's apartment.  I was, and this isn't to sound ugly, but appauled by their living situation and scared for her to be there by herself all the time. I would NEVER say this to her face. I am sure that is all they can afford right now and frankly in this economy a lot of people are just lucky to have a job at all and roof over their heads.  But this place was not nice.  I thought that the 1bdrm apt my hubby had when i first met him was bad but this place made it look like the Ritz. I went and stayed with her while her husband was out partying with his brother till 3am.  While we were there alone some weirdo comes and knocks at the door- obviously intoxicated- and asks if he can use the bathroom. We never opened the door- obviously but frankly it was scary.  There is mold in the bathroom and the place has a serious infestation issue.  I feel bad for her and I am worried about her and the baby.  She says they are saving up to get a nicer apartment in august but i don't think its healthy or safe for her or the baby to be living in the situation they are.  I can't say anything about it.  She is from a family that is not poor by any means so i KNOW she realizes how bad her living situation is.  I don't want to hurt her, or make her feel like i am being judgemental. I am soo thrilled for her and i know how excited she is about the pregnancy. I told my husband when i got home about it and now he is insisting if i go visit he drive me and walk me to her door because he knows how bad the area she lives in is.  All I can do is be supportive of her but do you ever just feel guilty? I think i feel guilty because we (my husband and I ) are very blessed, we have great jobs, live in an awesome and very safe safe neighborhood ( half our neighbors are cops), we have a beutiful newer home and yet we are not in any hurry to have babies. IN fact we will probably be waiting 6-8 years ( we are mid twenties).  I just feel guilty i guess because i don't know, like i'm selfish for wanting to wait even though in comparison we are a lot better off. I know i just shouldn't be making the comparison because we are not the same people. Maybe its even a little jealousy.  Not like I actually think i'm ready for a baby  but maybe just that I'm jealous of everything that surrounds it? Ugh...sorry to ramble. just needed to get all this off my chest.

     
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    Bumble bee
    ES123    April 25, 2009   Laurel, MD

    The problem is, and I don't say this to be hurtful, you are being judgemental. This is your friend's life - you can't possibly know anything about her situation with her husband and the things that went into the decision to have a baby. Maybe they lived in a crappy apartment on purpose because they knew they would be pregnant soon and wanted to save on rent. Maybe it really was an accident and she didn't tell you because she's embarrased. Maybe she has health issues and can't afford to wait to get pregnant so they started even though circumstances aren't ideal.

    I don't mean for you to feel like I'm attacking you, but since you put it out there it sounds like you are jealous. You want to be validated in that you're making the "right" decisions via your priorities and your station in life - but in these instances there is no such thing as right or wrong.

     
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    Busy bee
    Sparkles    ~*A June 2009 Bride*~   Ca

    Eh- I wouldn't go so far to say you are being judgemental or jealous.

    I would say more or less- obviously you have different standards than she does. And  you have a different mind set as to how to go about meeting your own needs.

    You would be surprised by how many people live this way on a daily basis. I did my public health rotation, and many people are 'getting by' with the bare necessitities and are trying what is their darndest to provide for themselves and their small families. So while this may be depolarable to you, this is just how some people live.  It's the reality for many people. It's not to say it is a permanent reality though.

    I have some friends who have very small living arrangements and don't feel the rush to 'upgrade' to a larger home, or nicer neighborhood until their child is walking or speaking. To them they have nine months of "baking" a baby, and an additional year to save a little and research where their lives will subsequently take them. And this works out for a lot of people. Once a baby is born. a lot of people's perspectives change as far as what they want for themselves and their child. Maybe your friend isn't there yet, or maybe your friend is taking their time getting to that point. Or maybe this is the sacrifice your friend is making to save money to get what they really want...

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    4.
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    Sugar bee
    Tanya123      

    I think there are two things going on.

    1.  Your friend having a baby in her current financial situation  I think it's pretty natural to have the feelings you do.  You are concerned for them.  It sounds like their neighborhood is unsafe.  Also, babies are expensive, and they don't have a lot of money.  (And in the back of your mind you're thinking, it wasn't an accident.  They were trying.)  Maybe they didn't think things were going to get better anytime soon.  It's hard not to judge.  But I think that you are right in just trying to support her.  What could you say to her that would be of any good anyway?  I think it could only hurt her feelings.

    2.  I think you might be feeling some jealousy, or questioning your decision to wait 6-8 years.  You say that you are doing fine financially, so maybe you and your husband can reevaluate having children sooner, if that's something that youfeel is surfacing now.

     
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    Mrs. Spring    May 10, 2009   California

    I think it's normal to be a little jealous or judgemental in this situation.  How many of us have seen another couple getting married and thought, "They haven't been dating long enough," "They're too young," "They're not financially ready, yet," or "We did it the RIGHT way; why can't they just wait?"  In fact, I've been struggling with some of these same issues over my younger sister's wedding (which is Dec. 5th of this year).  Part of it is jealousy (we wanted to get married earlier but waited), part of it is judgement (they haven't been together long enough and have NO idea what they are in for), part of it is real concern (seriously, she's moving to Missouri to be a corn farmer?!), and part of it is just plain old egotism (I still think our way is the right way babies too soon? :  wedding baby newlywed bad living situation houses Icon Biggrin).

    Obviously you know that nothing can come of confronting your friend about your feelings.  Imo, the best you can do is suck it up and be supportive.  Of course, that probably won't make you feel better.  I find that complaining to/with my husband about how we're doing it the right way helps.  And sometimes making snarky comments about my little sis on an "anonymous" wedding website.  :)  But maybe also re-evaluating your baby-making plans with your husband will also make you feel better; I agree with Tanya123 on that point for sure.  Anyway, at the very least, I hope it helped some to get these feelings off your chest by venting.  We're all here to listen, so what better place to vent than here! 

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    6.
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    Buzzing bee
    cannotwait    February 1, 2009   TX

    I would just focus on your friend's safety/health.  Is the apartment scary to her?  Is it just mildewy, or is there actual (dangerous) mold in the bathroom?

     I think these concerns could be brought up, and maybe her family can help her get into a safer situation.  If she was truly trying, though, then it makes it harder to intervene, as she made the choice knowing where she lives.

     I have a friend in a similar situation, but my main concern is that she is pregnant w/ their 2nd kid, not working, and their CC's are maxed out...I worry so much about their financial decisions (both kids were planned), but ultimately it is her choice to live paycheck to paycheck.  I just pray her hubby doesn't even lose his job, bc I don't know how they would get by...seriously!

     
    7.
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    Bumble bee
    fizicsGirl    8/1/2009   Michigan

    I'm sure that you've identified many of the complicated feelings that you are having.  Not all of them are about your friend, but I doubt that none of them are.  If you are honestly concerned that they have mold in their house, that's a big deal.  It can lead to lifelong health problems...and I suspect that people sometimes don't realize that.  If it were me I would probably bring it up... 

    For the other stuff, I think it's hard to imagine that your friend doesn't realize the safety issues or that baby's can be expensive.  Overall, I think you probably are judging the decision she is making, but that's human.  I have friends who make decisions I could not imagine making with kids in a million years (of course I don't have kids yet, so who knows).  But their kids are happy and well taken care of, I'm just paranoid about financial security.  I think those kinds of things are a very personal choice, though, and you probably just have to stand by and watch.

    We tend to be a private culture, but I do think it's appropriate to intervene if you see a child's life in danger.  The only thing, though, that I think calls for that in this situation is the possibility of mold.  Everything else is sort of a judgment call, and I don't think you get to make that decision for your friend.

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    8.
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    Busy bee
    amandopolis      

     I think what you have to understand is that everyone has different priorities.  For you, financial stability and spending time just being married before having kids is top priority.  But for some people, myself included, having children is a top priority.  It isn't up to you to decide what is right for your friend-- maybe having a ton of money isn't important to her. Home ownership and a high paying job aren't going to bring satisfaction to everyone, just like having babies without any money wouldn't leave you feeling satisfied with your life.

     
    9.
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    Busy bee
    DaisyBride    June 1, 2009  

    One thing to consider is one of the most expensive baby-related costs is day-care.  Since your friend is unemployeed, she doesn't need daycare and that will be a huge savings for them.  Of course health care can be expensive but I'm assuming they have insurance.  They can also save a lot of money if she nurses the baby, formula is very expensive!  Most of what is needed for the first year can be purchased used for a huge discount.  The first year of a babies life really can be inexpensive if you are willing to sacrifice the Pottery Barn Nursery and Baby Gap Clothing. 

    It might not be a bad idea to have a kid while you are still used to living a relatively simple life instead of living the "good life" then having to make bigger sacrifices to have a baby. 

    That being said, I am guilty of judging people and wondering why they make certain financial decisions.  I'm also not planning on having kids until we are married for a few years.

     
    10.
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    ladybug31087      

    First of all- thank you for all the great advice, the understanding and the reality check.  I have spent the last couple of days reading responses and contemplating things.  I want to say that I have without a question decided no matter what situation she is in (my friend) I will support her.  I am going to mention the mold, but in the kindest non judging way possible. Actually I am going to have my hubby do the dirty work, one day when he comes over he has agreed to 'casually' mention that the mold looks like it could be serious and they 'might want to have it checked out' being as it is an apartment they live in if it IS dangerious the SHOULD NOT have to live with it and their apartment owner should take care of the problem or move them to a apartment without mold.  Secondly she showed me the place they were planning on moving to in august (which is only a few months away) and it is MUCH nicer in a much safer area. I cannot tell you how releived I was and the hubbs and I have already offered our assistance with their moving process and with the decoration of the baby's room.  I am actually getting really excited about hosting her baby shower- she is honoring me by allowing me to do so!!!

    On the subject of babies for the hubs and I. We had a long discussion about it and after much thought i STILL want to wait at least a few years but we have decided that we will be more open minded to the possibility of starting to try a little sooner or just re-evaluating every year. This conversation actually brought up a lot of emotions and feelings I didn't realize I was having before.  Mostly I was upset because I don't like  feeling like I"ve signed a contract for the specific time I will start having children.  So, with our new plan, I am feeling much better about things. I also feel like I will have an chance to bring it up again before 8 years have gone by, which alleviates alot of my anger.

     

    On a side note- i do realize not everyone shares my same views. I 100% accept that and I know just because someone else might not choose to wait as long as I do to have kids or might do it in a  different situation does NOT mean they will make less of a parent.  Not that I ever doubted my friend. I have 100% confidence she and her hubs will make great parents- they are GREAT people, warm, affectionate, accepting and fun, I think I was just baffled by a choice that was different than myown at first.  And after talking more extensively about things with her- not prying just her volunteering info- i realized they really do have more things planned out than i thought.  Obviously they are moving, but they also have a great family support system to here with her family to help out should she decide she wants to go back to work to supplement their income.  So...for the next nine months i get to experience things vicariously and help her with her cheese cravings : )  and since she is the first "close" friend of mine who is having a baby I get to have a little glimpse of what we have to look forward to -or dread : p in a few years.

    As always, thanks for all the warm support, advice and the dose of reality I needed to put things in perspective.

     
    11.
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    Helper bee
    December    December 12, 2008   Minneapolis,MN/Jackson,MS

    It's always kind of weird to see that first friend go down the parenting road, especially when it's so fast AND planned. I've seen a few unplanned babies among my acquaintances over the past few years, but no "Ok, we've been married 4 months now, let's get pregnant" until this February. I was so mad/sad at first, for a lot of the same reasons you were, feeling like we had this hard and fast timetable that could under no circumstances be adjusted, and sort of "indignant" (totally unjustified) that they got to start before us. Then I found out they did it for medical reasons (she has endometriosis, which could get better with a pregnancy or without one progress till it kills her fertility), and then *I* found out I was pregnant (oh the irony) and then she had a miscarriage. It's been a rollercoaster emotionally for both of us, especially now that our situations are flipped.. I am now the first mom in our group, and I wasn't even planning for it, while she who needs it has to wait.

    So anyway, I just wanted to share my story, and to say good for you for facing your emotions on this and sorting out the legitimate from the not-so, and realize that we can't control gut-level responses, but instead how we act after we've processed. It sounds like you are being an awesome friend. :)

     
    12.
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    Helper bee
    mizunoheaven    June 2009   Oregon/Kuwait/wedding in Australia

    Family planning is different for everyone. I am sure some people are surprised that we want to have children right away. We aren't having premarital sex (though neither of us are virgins) and so from wedding day forward we will let whatever happens, happen.

    People have all sorts of reasons for why they want to do things they way they do.

    Fo us, we are in our early 30's and financially stable, yes, he is in Kuwait and so will be for the next year. No big deal. We see each other at least every 8 to 10 weeks. But never more than 10.

    People say. "oh, I think people should wait two years before they have kids" and I like "why do you believe that?" and they say, "well so you can get to know each other" and I am like "oh, really? why would I marry someone I didn't know? and then why wouldn't I want to spend the rest of my life getting to them as they change and grow over that time?"

    We plan on being together, forever. We plan on a family. So why wait? Children are typically parent dependent much longer in life these days, 25 years in this economy. So, for that 25 - 30 years we raise a family. Then we are older and we will help with grandchildren. We will have spent a lifetime being family. 

    I tell people, it might be hard now but what is enough money? Most people in todays society spend more than they make, regardless of how much they make, which is why we have the massive credit issue. Babies can be very expensive, but honestly, for about the price of a Venti latte every single day you can feed, cloth and buy diapers for the baby, just add the health care (which is about the cost of a new car payment every month) and well, there you go, less than $500 a month a you can have one too. As their situation improves, and life becomes a little more $$ and the things the kid needs becomes a little more $$ they can have both parents working, even if she is just providing day care in her home.

    As for mold, yes, that is an issue. However, having her clean it with bleach is also an issue. They are moving soon. You could offer help in cleaning sometime...just like, oh, I brought you a plant and I thought I would help you around the house as cleaning products are dangerous when you are pregnant. This could be a good time for yourself to research save and healthy cleaning alternatives, vodka is actually a good antibacterial cleaning product, and vinagar and baking soda are great to clean with. 

    If you can spend more time with her, do. She might need it and maybe you will get a fill of pregnancy and either decide that now is the time or that you'd rather wait. Either way, it is great that you are taking this as an opportunity to learn about yourself and discuss this with your husband.

    Best wishes.

    and sorry this was so long. I obvious feel passionate about this issue.

     

     

     
    13.
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    Worker bee
    justacameragirl    September 27th, 2009   Harrisburg Pa & London England

    Kids are a big big deal, it really changes everything in a relationship and I understand your feelings completely. When many of my friends get married and have a child in the same year I think my concern comes off as jealously as well. 

     I just hate to see their relationship completely change; I mean for me I have very strong feelings what I want to wait to have children. I am taking on two step children and excited to be in their life but I want to take the time to develop my marriage and enjoy married life before changing our focus on raising a baby.

    So many of my friends are so unhappy in their marriage after having kids, I mean they love their kids and their wives but feel so side-lined... and that is my worst fear. I think that fear rubs off on everyone around me that are having kids so early in their marriage and maybe it comes off very strong I feel bad if I am butting my nose in their business.
     

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    14.
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    Sugar bee
    Tanya123      

    I'm so glad you had a talk with your husband, ladybug.  I bet that does make you feel better.  Now you can feel comfortable going into it. 

    But now that you both ar open to reconsidering, I bet, you'll wait 2 yrs -3 tops! babies too soon? :  wedding baby newlywed bad living situation houses Icon Wink

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    15.
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    Sugar bee
    Melissabegins    December 12, 2009  

    I can identify with the feelings that you're going through - it's just so out of my realm to want babies so soon, that i find myself looking at newlyweds that do like they're aliens.  I value security and comfort (I'm a taurus!) so the idea of having such a huge life change before completely ready is mortifying.  Friends that are in the process of building a house, new job, newlyweds, and want a new puppy scare me with their baby talk, mostly because if I were in that position I would need to be talked off the ledge.

     

     

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