How to get people understand I want to be a mum?

Hi everyone,

So a little backstory here. I'm twenty-five, but have always known I want to be a mother. I am very nurturing, very maternal and love children.  I've been told in the past by people how brilliant I am with them. And my mum always tells me how brilliant I am with my younger sibling (his cognitive age is around 4 years old but physically 23.) 

My fiancé Jordan also wants to have children. But our mental healths aren't great just now. Which we absolutely want to 100% get as well as we can before we start trying for children. 

But my parents and family keep telling me 'but due to you and Jordan's autism and mental health. Children isn't right just now.' And we agree not until we're better. But! We know that others judge us for wanting children. My family are so supportive, but when children is mentioned you can tell they get uncomfortable.  

What makes me angry is I have an idea of  how difficult parenting is, as a lot of my friends who have children explain this to me. And I understand with Jordan and I's difficulties it might be a bit harder than we think. However, we would be brilliant parents. We understand we need to get our housing situation sorted and get things sorted with our healths. But our mental health and autism will always be there, as things do go up and down in life.

Some professions agree with me and say 'at the end of tje day it's your life.' And I should agree, but then why do I feel so guilty planning for the future? 

Every time I see a baby or child I get so emotional as I and Jordan want to be parents so badly. 

How do I talk to my family about this without leading to an argument. I've tried explaining we're being mature about this and wanting things sorted first. But at the end of the day our healths will always go up and down, and as long as we put the effort into getting support, then why shouldn't we have children in the future. 

My mum never says I can't have children but to seriously think about it and says my fiancé isn't 'able' she thinks enough because of his mental health and autism. That's not for her to decide, however Jordan and I have said that  at the end of this year (we're meant to be getting married in August) if we decided we're still not ready then we will wait. 

Am I being the silly one here? Or are we being sensible? 

We always put other people first, and that isn't going to change. We know that if we were to say to each other 'look my health isn't able to cope.' Or visa versa, we wouldn't judge each other, but my point is that is our decision to come to, not other people's. 

Thank you.

  • Hi, I'm 24 and just got married, me and my partner want kids, so similar situation to yourselves. 

    I'm diagnosed autistic, my partner definitely is high on spectrum, but closer to neurotypical. 

    Keep in mind 25 is young to be thinking of kids nowadays and there's no rush, you've got plenty of time to settle down and plan. :-)

    In terms of mental health and your current situation, yes, get in a better place before having kids, but keep in mind there is no getting 100% well. My mum has bipolar disorder, has had periods of being off sick for months at a time, but this has not stopped her from being a wonderful parent. Our family just has to all come together to support her and one another when she needs extra support. 

    Regarding your autism, this will not stop you being a good parent. You may need extra support with some things during pregnancy or post-partum, but again, this does not mean you will not be a good parent or affect your child, when you decide to have kids. 

    I think your mum wants the best for you, but isn't going about it the right way. I can understand her concerns, but that doesn't mean she is right. 

    I know it's hard when you want to have children so bad, but I think you need to wait a bit, give it some time, and then try discussing this with your mum without any emotions involved. Ask her to explain why she is so worried, then discuss solutions that may ease her worries. Then take some time to explain your side, how you're feeling etc.

    Hope this helps in some way! 

  • I agree 25 is still young, especially these days. Lots of first time Mums are in their 30s now, I was. Just make sure you are prepared for the relentlessness of parenthood for the first 3-4 years at least, and your partner as well. Sometimes it’s easier to look after the child because you don’t really give yourself a choice but also consider the relationship with your fiance could really suffer if one of you ends up struggling so much that the other ends up doing all the work for a long stretch of time. You really need to be a team to get through and make sure your relationship is solid first. Sorry for the negativity but it’s hard work that you can’t take back! There are loads of great moments though but the underlying responsibility is pretty huge. My daughter is definitely my favourite person but I’m still glad she’s at school now so I can have my weekday off work to myself and get on with chores and errands etc Or just sitting down for an hour at lunchtime and being able to stay there 

  • Hi I am autistic and have three children. The important thing is not that you have autism but that you want a child! I will not lie its not easy being an autistic parent or a normal parent for that matter but I am sure that of its what you and your partner want you will find a way! WIt if you need to or go ahead witb your plans......... autism is not a barrier unless you let it be. I hope you fk d a way to your happiness x 

  • Hi, thank you so much for replying. I feel so much better knowing I'm not alone in feeling like this. Blush

  • Hi I understand you I am exactly the same I’m 32 now and I really want a baby I am in a relationship but it’s very early days for us. When I see a baby I get really emotional and when I see baby clothes in a shop I just wish it was me buying them, but I know I have to wait a bit longer. You are still young so there is plenty of time get your mental health sorted and when your in a better place consider it then.