I love kids. I love being around them and watching how happy they get over nothing. Kids are awesome and I'm so excited to have them one day, but I can't imagine doing so until I've completely lived my life the way I want to first.
I have way too much stuff I want to do with my life before I get weighed down with the responsibility of a child. That may sound a little harsh, but it's true. Why would I want to have a kid when I'm not ready? I know people say that you are never really ready to have a kid, but I don't believe that. If the timing is right, you're ready. You have time to plan and prepare and not have it be a surprise. Not that it's a bad thing to be a surprise, but if it's supposed to happen, it will.
I want to hike the Appalachian Trail. I want to travel the world and eat delicious food with the love of my life. I want to hang out with friends and go out and have fun. I want my dream job and a house I can call my own. I want to pull all-nighters and watch sunrises. Write a movie and walk a red carpet. See the Eiffel Tower and explore Dublin. Go to Mardi Gras and a gay pride parade. I want to get married and have an amazing honeymoon on some beach. Move cities and possibly even states. Climb a mountain and be happy. The possibilities are endless.
I want to be able to provide a decent life for my child when the time is right. I don't want to have any regrets. I want them to grow up in a family that their proud of, like I'm proud of mine. I want to take them on vacations and to the zoo. I want to raise them the way the should be raised. I want a partner who will be there every step of the way and not leave because it's too hard. I want my child to have parents. I want to teach them respect and how to be a decent human. I want to teach them that hard work is everything in life but to also have dreams and imagination. It's OK to want to be an astronaut, or a writer, or even an actress. Money isn't everything and I hope they will know that. I want them to be passionate about whatever they do and not hesitate to make their dreams happen.
I'm 21 years old and I am in no way, shape or form, ready for a child. I shouldn't be. I'm still one myself. Yes, I will admit I have their names picked out, but who doesn't at least have a few ideas? I can even imagine how they will be dressed and how their bedrooms will look.
But... I don't want any of that for a long time!