Should I Be Thinking About Marriage & Kids?

Last night, I dined with a couple of my girlfriends. Somewhere the conversation skewed towards children and marriage. Topics we are all serious about, because as one of the girls put it, "we're at that age" where it's time to start thinking about the future. The funny thing is that the future is now. It's here. No longer saying, "When I grow up..." because we're already grown (big LE SIGH).

ANYWAY, I bring this up because one of the girls who is 21 and a senior like me is ready to have kids. "READY TO HAVE KIDS?!" I thought. I was flabbergasted. I watch Teen Mom every now and then with a sense of disgust because I think having a child young, without any life stability is down-right ludicrous. In my opinion, your youth is the core time for you to be selfish and thoughtfully impulsive (mmm-paradox?); Chase after your crazy dreams and go on spur of the moment trips. Having a child means I am no longer number 1 and at this point in my life, and I am number 1 to myself.

A couple weeks ago, I had an epiphany. I was adamant about not having a husband and kids until I was at least 30 years old--a statement that drives my dear mother CUH-RAZY. I am serious about career success, somewhat a workaholic, and I don't want to a) have distractions b) make someone important in my life feel like they were on the back burner. Well once again, my oh-so-wise friend Chelsea stated that she wouldn't mind chasing after a career with a husband and child in tow. "I'm used to juggling everything, why can't I juggle a family and a new career?" -- Good point. Why can't I? I've seen many women in my life do it. Heck, I babysit for a woman who balances work and family (Hi Pattie!). I'm also used to juggling one too many things at once to the point people think I'm a mad-woman. I guess I've proven to myself that I have great organization skills and can plan my time well, so going forth with a new husband and a new career would not be the end all be all for me... right?

Ultimately, I am open to getting married within the next couple years. Kids can wait. The only problem is I actually have to start dating. The next problem I have is that the men of my age are going through what The Wall Street Journal calls "Pre-Adulthood." You know, just another excuse for men to not mature. But uh, that's a blog post for another day.