How do you know you are ready for a baby?

We recently got married, I'm 32 and my husband is 30. We definitely get that question lol. For women, it's rough because we DO have a ticking clock and it's always there reminding us that the moment is fleeting. But I think if we both can sustain ourselves independently then, we are good to go.

Wait. You are still young. We decided to get married because we started feeling like we want kids. We waited until our 30's though. I enjoyed my 20's and while many of my friends had their children during that period of time, I would have felt like I was missing out on things if I had had them during that period of my life. I feel established in my career, we own a home, and are financially stable. After our wedding I want to make an attempt at my bosses job (he is retiring at the end of the year), then it is "baby time" as my FH likes to put it.

@ChristinaNYC - I'm so glad to see that kind of answer. My whole life my mom has told me they waited 7 years (married at 22) after getting married to have kids because she wanted to be able to support the kids on her own and not financially feel trapped in her marriage.

30+ years later still happily married but it's been great advice my whole life! Too many women feel trapped in a marriage they don't want to be in - and I'm sure they wanted to be in it when it started - because they are concerned about their kids and supporting their kids.

If you feel like you want to then great go for it, if not then don't. Let people know that you will let them know when you are pregnant but until then please refrain from asking. It is nobody else's business anyways.

23 is very young. Pursue your dreams for a bit first.

If you have to ask an Internet forum when to have kids, you should probably wait.

You are only 23 and 25. Take solace in the fact that you aren't supposed to know yet—most people don't at that age. When it's your time, you'll know it and want it with every fiber of your being. The thought of putting someone ahead of you and living with piece of your heart outside of your body will fill you with joy, not worry. Then you will be ready to be a mother

Of course, tons of people become mothers and fathers way earlier than expected and they turn out fine too. So, hey, what do I know lol.

There is never a way to know if you are. I know people who "thought" they were ready but when reality hit them that having a baby isn't the same as reading 'What to expect when your expecting'. I planned to have my first around 28 after earning my doctorate degree and being married but life hit. I had my son at 21 and now at 28 I am just completing my degree and getting married. I wouldn't trade anything because we still did a ton of traveling and plan to in the future when we have another child.

I'm not asking you to decide if I'm ready. I'm asking for opinions on what makes someone ready. Age? Education?Amount of life experience you have or are you never really ready?

Miami- that's how we feel. We are young and want to enjoy our 20's. I tell my husband that we have the rest of our life to be parents but we are only in our 20s for such a short time.

That's a very personal question that really only the two of you can answer. When people ask you, tell them you are simply keeping that decision between the two of you. Do not feel pressured into having children because people are expecting you too.

We personally don't want to have children for at least 5 years, maybe longer.

Crystal--date twin

Hmm I think ideally it's the ability to financially and emotionally support the child and put him or her first 100%. I don't think anyone needs a certain amount of education or to reach a certain age to be a parent. Just because someone is 40 with 3 graduate degrees from Harvard does not mean they'll be a good mother. Tons of teenagers without high school diplomas end up being wonderful mothers. It's all about what's on the inside, not achievements.

Asking for opinions on what makes someone ready is pretty close to asking if YOU are ready, because those criteria are different for every couple. What made DF and I decide we were ready and what makes others decide they're ready are entirely different things.

This is a conversation you should have with your SO instead of with a forum of strangers. Post if you like of course, it just won't give you any answers.

Don't rush it... Too many times people are so afraid to get comfortable that they find themselves chasing the next stage of their life rather than enjoying the moment. My suggestion is to live in the moment enjoy it rather than focusing on what's to come!

I had my son at 23. It's definitely hard and we are (barely) financially stable.

If I could do it over I would have waited a few years! Going to start TTC #2 in a few months though!

If you are debating if you're ready, and you guys want to travel I would definitely wait.

Do your traveling and get a career started first!

I always wanted to have kids at a young age (21, 22) until I was 21 and 22! I knew I was way too young and too selfish. Now I am 25 and my fiancé is 27...I have a degree and we are both set in our careers (teacher and military). I still feel like we are too young...BUT I do think in the next few years we will FEEL ready to take that step.

My thought is I still get upset when I have to wake up 10 minutes early to let my dog out...too selfish and too young for kids yet

My fiancé is the oldest person in his family to not have children. Everyone has kids in their very early 20s so they can have fun and live (travel etc.) in their forties. My family is the opposite: babies come later.

My advice is once you FEEL like you are ready to support a tiny human financially and emotionally 24/7 above yourself for the rest of your life..go for it!

Long and drawn out, I know! This is something I feel passionately about because I have always dreamed of being a mommy.

If you wait until you're "ready" you'll never be ready.

I would suggest making sure you're financially stable, have a childcare plan (sahm/sahd, daycare, grandparents or other family, etc), and have had discussions on how you two want to raise the children (religion, discipline, etc).

Having a baby takes all your time. You're always tired, can't be selfish anymore, and everything takes longer. However, it's the most amazing thing in the world.

We got a fun surprise last October when we found out we were pregnant. We had only been together a year but knew when we met that we wanted to be together for good. So, this was just a little detour. It was terrifying, stressful, and exciting. And now we have an adorable 8 month old girl.

Obviously, this is not something that you should be pressured into and don't allow anyone to do so. Enjoy being happy newlyweds. Take your time. It's worth the wait.

You are asking strangers on the internet this question??

Taylor- only you and your DH can decide if you are ready. And honestly, I don't know if anyone is ever really ready. I am 35 and my DH is 42. I would like to wait a little longer but the clock is ticking for us both. You will either know when the time is right to start trying or life will happen as it often does for many. As far as people questioning you about it, you don't have to answer. It's a personal matter between you and your DH and can remain that way. Or if you feel you must respond, say something along the lines of- we just got married and haven't gotten that far yet. We are still enjoying being newlyweds.

If you dont know what makes someone prepared to have and raise a child, you probably arent prepared to have and raise a child.

We get that question and we aren't even married yet lol. It definitely gets old but we are pretty blunt about the fact that kids aren't happening for several years.

ETA: we are 27 and 29 with degrees and careers and we still don't feel ready!