My Mom was 21 when she had my older sister and 42 when she had my 'little' brother so this is maybe a question for her. I'm 34, I'll be 35 when our baby arrives, but I feel like I'm 23. Am I ready? On paper. Yes. I'm as ready as anyone could be; I'm in good health, in a loving and healthy relationship, I have a good income etc.
In reality? Not so much. I still throw temper tantrums (not like a 2yr old but enough to make me think "seriously Sharon???"), I still enjoy watching 90210 (new cast, new drama but same theme tune), I have a pencil case that I've had since Matric and I like eating sweets (like alot, I can hoover down a packet of gummy snakes, with a little help from Ry, in a couple of minutes). I drink Coke....not even Diet Coke...at least once a day. And if you ask me after a couple of drinks (pre-baby bump) if I still believed in Santa, I would tell you yes and could convince YOU why I think he's actually real.
Am I mature enough to have a kid of my own? On paper. No.
And I think that's okay (at least that's what I tell myself).
When my brother was born I was 16 and I remember standing in the waiting area at the Park Lane Hospital in Johannesburg, dressed in my most grown up outfit, and I distinctly remember thinking "when Steven is the same age I am now, I will be 32. I will be married and will more than likely have two kids of my own..."
Now my life didn't work out like that, close enough, but I'm only embarking on the journey of parenthood now and the truth is, it makes me a little sad to know that because I've waited this long to start the journey the reality is that my Granny won't get to see our little one grow beyond 16 and my folks may not be at his/her wedding oneday (because the first rule in our house will be that you can't get married until you're at LEAST 30) and it's highly likely that I won't ever get to meet my own great-grandkids.
So in hindsight; I'm ready, now really is as good a time as any and so what if I'm a really old Mom. If I carry on the way I am I'll always be young at heart (if I carry on drinking Coke I may not end up having a heart at all). This little one is coming into the most loving, caring environment and together we'll become our own little fun family.
And finally I'll have someone who believes in Santa with me...well for at least the next 10yrs anyway.
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