I'm considering having children. I'm going on 21 as of May and I find myself having the urge to have my first child. I had a talk with my mother about the costs of having a child and having a full time job and all that jazz. She says I'm not too young to have a child and I don't think I'm too young either but I am wanting input from mothers about the costs, pros, and cons of having a child. Are diapers really all that expensive? What are food costs like? Medical bills? I'm not really terrified of pregnancy and birth but the idea of birth is a little intimidating.

When I asked about having a full time job my mother replied "If you had a baby right now, your grandmother would quit her job, retire, and stay at home to take care of her great grandchild. That would be like heaven for her." So I'm not without a baby-sitter during the day.

And I know that having a baby does change everything. Its not all about "Can I afford to have a baby?" I will have to be mentally ready and everything like that. But I do want input from parents, not just mothers, about what its like to have your first child. The good the bad and the ugly. Share your opinions, suggestions, advice, and stories.