How do you know when you're ready to start a family?

the first answer is wack. i'm 24 and i had my son my senior year of college. after he was born i worked full time for about a year then went back to school. i have been in school now for 1.5 years since my son was born. and it has been great. we still spend time together( me dad and baby he's 2.5 now) and i'm also accomplishing my personal goals. i also just submitted my med school app. and i'm thinking of having my 2nd child in my 3rd year of med schoo. it is totally possible to be in shool and be a mommy. the only thing i would day to consider is your personal health during your pregnancy. i had to spend 6 months in bed rest and 2 of them in the hospital. if you have a family history of pregnanacy complications this may disrupt your schooling. so consider that. but if complications are not likely for you then i would say go for it. i did and i'm loving it.

If you want to FINISH school, I'd wait. Because the likelihood of finishing school with a baby is slimmer than none.

Interesting question .... my daughter and I were discussing this recently. She is the proud mother of my only two grandbabies. When she and my son in law first married, they were not sure that they would ever have children. Both had been abandoned by their biological fathers, and had issues. My son in law had an excellent job, good money, and was paying for our daughter to finish her education. Year after year, they continued to express doubts that they would ever have children. Once my daughter had finished school, landed herself a great job, they finally announced at Christmas 2003 they had decided that they were ready. Our first grandson was born in September 2004. My daughter told me that although she and our son in law had originally had doubts, and they wanted to make sure they could financially provide for a family if they changed their minds, the ultimate decision was because of love. She said that they both realized that they loved each other so much, that to share in the miracle of life -- with each other -- was the ultimate expression of their committment to each other. The youngest one is now 10 months old. My daughter has a great job, and my son in law is a stay at home dad and full time student (night classes, weekend classes, mini sessions and internet). He has about two more years towards his degree. They love their life. They love their boys. And they truly love each other. Oh, it gets really crazy around their place sometimes, and my husband and I beg to keep the boys so they can have alone time .... but my daughter told me she cannot imagine her life any other way. Everybody is different. All I can say is each person, each couple, just "knows" .... kind of like when you first fell in love and you knew that he was the ONE. Plus, life has a funny way of sneaking up on you .... the 10 month old was kind of unexpected! We sure do love our little surprise.

You know when it's in your heart. This is a blessing, not to put off. If you finish school, then you will be tempted to leave your baby too soon to return to work since you have a degree. Go with your heart and start your family, your already getting started late. Your child deserves to have a sibling, and you will be hitting 30 or over should you decide to have another one. We don't know what tomorrow holds, you may not be fertile two years down the road. He may have issues?. I put off trying to have this last baby for 5 yrs. now I can't get pregnant, and been trying for a year. Your putting off the sweetest part of marriage, and the deepest bond you and your husband will share.