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I've practically never not had kids. We had our first at age 15. I still was able to graduate university on time, teach myself to program beyond the cs minor, l

I've practically never not had kids. We had our first at age 15. I still was able to graduate university on time, teach myself to program beyond the cs minor, learn new technology, go camping and hiking, and even got a couple kayaks eventually to go out with the kids. My trick is starting my day before 5am, since high school. Having a great partner helped, being poor as shit didn't. I did have to take jobs that paid more now (but still crap) and eschew jobs that would pay low to start but offer growth. I couldn't save a dollar until my late twenties.

em-bee 4y ago
it's very rare to hear from such young parents having what sounds like a mostly good experience. how much were your parents able to help? here in china the tradition is to get married early, and then live with the parents who are then able to help a lot with watching the kids. if i look down in the courtyard of our building it's practically only grandparents that are out in the morning with toddlers that are not old enough yet for kindergarten. i find this model of a multi generation family very appealing. if only school were a bit more flexible with students who have children. may i ask which country you are from? if you imagine living in a country where parents get unconditional financial support, and you wouldn't have had to work, then i think, at least with your attitude, having children that early doesn't sound like a bad idea. if only the attitude in that country would not be to look down on having children at age 15. it's almost always considered a failure, kids having kids, being ignorant about contraception, forced to drop out of school to take care of their baby, because society is simply unwilling to accept that with the right attitude this doesn't have to be a bad experience.
- sethammons 4y ago
  Very little help from parents - often the opposite, they would actively hamper us. We are in the US. My wife did have to miss a year of schooling and never went to college. I do not recommend our path, but I love the idea of healthy, multi-generational families with grandparents who want and are able to help.

em-bee 4y ago

it's very rare to hear from such young parents having what sounds like a mostly good experience. how much were your parents able to help? here in china the tradition is to get married early, and then live with the parents who are then able to help a lot with watching the kids. if i look down in the courtyard of our building it's practically only grandparents that are out in the morning with toddlers that are not old enough yet for kindergarten. i find this model of a multi generation family very appealing. if only school were a bit more flexible with students who have children. may i ask which country you are from? if you imagine living in a country where parents get unconditional financial support, and you wouldn't have had to work, then i think, at least with your attitude, having children that early doesn't sound like a bad idea. if only the attitude in that country would not be to look down on having children at age 15. it's almost always considered a failure, kids having kids, being ignorant about contraception, forced to drop out of school to take care of their baby, because society is simply unwilling to accept that with the right attitude this doesn't have to be a bad experience.

sethammons 4y ago
Very little help from parents - often the opposite, they would actively hamper us. We are in the US. My wife did have to miss a year of schooling and never went to college. I do not recommend our path, but I love the idea of healthy, multi-generational families with grandparents who want and are able to help.