When you discover that you are unexpectedly pregnant at 18, you have three unplanned pregnancy options: abortion, parenting and adoption. You already know that you don’t want an abortion, so that leaves you to choose between adoption and parenthood. So, how do you decide between these two options? How do you know what’s best for you?

That’s what we’re here to help you figure out. To get more free information now, you can contact us online whenever you feel ready to speak with someone. Still, we have spent some time putting together this in-depth guide to help you choose between raising your baby and putting them up for adoption.

I’m 18 – Should I Keep My Baby? [Choosing Parenthood]

Having a baby at 18 can be difficult. You are a legal adult, but you may just be fresh out of (or still in) high school. Many 18-year-olds live with their parents, and this could mean that you don’t have the financial independence that raising a child often requires.

Still, you could be asking, “Why should I keep my baby when I’m 18 years old?” Facing an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager can be challenging. As a result, the overwhelming nature of your situation may mean you’re having a hard time deciding which path, adoption vs. parenting, is right for you.

So, to help you make this crucial decision, we’ve listed some of the reasons why someone may choose having a baby at 18 years old. Using the information below, you can decide if you’re ready to become a parent right now.

You Have Your Parents’ Emotional and Financial Support

As you may have guessed, parenting is far from easy. Raising a child is expensive, and, because you are only 18 years old, you may lack the financial resources necessary for becoming a parent. You could still be in high school or just entering your collegiate career, meaning you don’t have time for a full-time job to support a child.

This means that many 18-year-olds decide to parent because they have the financial support of their parents. Not every parent can afford to support a new baby, though, but you would likely need their support if you wish to raise your child. Also, if you are having a baby at 18, advice and emotional support from your loved ones could be helpful. Having a shoulder to lean on during this time can be beneficial and important.

You Are OK with Putting Your Lifelong Dreams on Hold

There’s no doubt that parenting is a major time commitment. It is a 24-hour job, and it lasts seven days a week, too. This means that you will likely need to put any long-term goals that you have on hold. If you have any academic or professional aspirations, then you might need to put them on pause so that you can focus on raising your child.

Because you may be having a baby at 18, you might have had plans to start your collegiate career at one of your dream schools. Raising a baby means you might need to postpone your education, and that’s something that you might need to come to terms with soon. Consider this if you are weighing parenting vs. adoption for your baby.

You Are Prepared for the Emotional Journey of Parenthood

We mentioned this earlier, but parenthood is a 24/7 job. In other words, raising a child means that you’ll need to be “on” at all times. This can be exhausting from both a physical and mental perspective, so you will have to be prepared for the ups and downs of raising a baby. It is a rewarding experience, but it is also a challenging experience.

I’m 18 – Can I Put My Baby up for Adoption? [Choosing Adoption]

If you are thinking, “I’m 18. Should I keep my baby or choose adoption,” then you should know that adoption is still an option for you even as a teenager. Whether you have been pregnant for two months or eight months, you can place your baby up for adoption whenever you’re ready to do so.

There are plenty of reasons to choose adoption as a prospective birth mother. To help you make this important decision, we have detailed some of those reasons below.

You Want to Give Your Child a Chance at the Best Life Possible

You are only 18 years old, so you may have some concerns about providing the kind of life for your child that you want for them. You may also think that adoption is “giving up” because of the way that people often talk about adoption. Rather, you are actually giving your child a chance the best life possible. Adoption is never “giving up.”

Because you are the prospective birth parent, you get to choose what kind of life you’re giving your baby. This includes finding the perfect adoptive parents, selecting the type of environment your baby grows up in and the kind of adoption relationship you want to have with your baby and the adoptive family after everything is complete.

You Want to Stay in Touch with Your Child

Speaking of adoption relationships, you have the ability to pursue open adoption. It is the most common type of adoption today by a wide margin. In other words, adoption gives you the opportunity to stay in touch with your baby and the adoptive family long after placement occurs. So, if you are debating having a baby at 18 because you want to watch your child grow up, you can still do so by choosing adoption.

You Can’t Afford to Become a Parent

When you place your baby for adoption, you can receive adoption financial assistance. This covers all your pregnancy- and adoption-related fees, meaning that adoption is always free for prospective birth parents. You shouldn’t have to worry about paying for these expenses when you are making such a selfless, heroic decision.

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If you were thinking, “I’m 18 – Should I keep my baby or choose adoption,” then hopefully you have a better idea of what you want to do now. But, you can always contact us online to get more free information now. We are here to answer any more questions that you may have.