Originally Posted by
alkalineangel
Well, that's good, you are doing better than most people who are thirty something. Are you on your parent's insurance, or your own? Because once you are a parent yourself, you will be dropped from their coverage. Be prepared to spend at least $15,000 a year of that $40,000 on child care, another $500-800/year for diapers, anywhere from 1,500-2,000 the first year for formula (if you breast feed, you may spend around $500 on breast feeding supplies), upwards of 2,500 on baby supplies (crib, clothes, pacifiers, bottles, stroller, carseat, etc.) and another $500 a year in medical expenses (for a healthy baby) not including the $4-6,000 price tag from the hospital and birth. Then of course, there is the fact that you have to work your 2 jobs on top of this new 24/7 job, so there is no sleep for you. The baby won't wait for tests/homework/etc, so finishing highschool/going to college will be rough. You aren't old enough to secure a rental anywhere, so you will be living with your parents/relatives, I suppose? So now their lives are turned upside down supporting your child. That isn't really doing it yourself and being prepared, now is it? Seeing as you are under 18, the law limits how much you can work, so I really doubt that you could pull in enough hours to even pay rent, electric, gas, water, med. insurance, car payment/insurance, daycare, etc. even if your boyfriend decides to pitch in and help.
I was a teen mother, and I struggled with my child and expenses, and I was 3 years your senior at the time. It is not a pleasure cruise. I am 29 now, and have JUST NOW started to settle into a life where I am able to breathe. My son is almost 9. I am not saying that you can't do it, because you can...but it will NOT be ideal. The chances of you and your boyfriend lasting are slim to none. The chances of you completing highschool and continuing on to college are incredibly low. You will rarely see your friends, and may even lose most of them, as they don't know what to do with you now that you are a mother. And you will not be able to provide the best quality of life for your child. I just want you to have all the details going in.
Research ALL of your options before making a decision. Abortion and Adoption are equally as traumatic and you need to make sure you are making the best decision for YOU. No choice in your situation is easy. Good luck.
