I read Clora's dilemma today, but I wanted to comment from my blog rather than pollute her's with my opinion. Clora wrote:

I'm scared. On one hand I wanted to be a mother someday...on the other I don't want to be one right now. If it turns out I am, then I will own up and be the best mom I can be. I'm too young to be a mother. I don't want to have kids until I can hear my biological clock ticking. Literally. I can't stand babies that cry...poopie diapers...worrying about screwing it up. I don't know that I can handle the pain of labor. I'm too young to die in childbirth. I'm too young to live through the pain of childbirth.

First off, I want to say that in no way am I judging, condemning, or regarding your feelings of this serious matter as invalid. Pregnancy and children are both life-changing events. And even when planned they are scary. So, Clora, I completely understand (well, not completely. I'm a man, so I'll never completely understand.) your concern.

Second (should I do bullet points?), my opinion is based on being on "this side" of the road you could be crossing. Most people with children would agree that seeing both sides changes your perspective. Although it may seem that I am somewhat nonchalant about what you could be facing, I'm trying not to be. It just seems like less of a big deal when you've already been through it.

So here is what I think:

On the subject of being ready to have a baby... no one is ever ready to have a child. Few people would have a child if they were given an option to get ready. And those that think they are ready have no idea what they are getting ready for. Renee and I were going to try, but the test was positive before we got the chance. Even though the idea of having a baby was there, Renee still freaked out when she saw the double lines (who me? Oh, I was fine... no... really). She was crying, telling me she wasn't ready for this, scared of handling the pain of labor and just plain scared of the responsibility of having a baby.

On the subject of crying and poopie butts... when it's your child, these things aren't annoying and unattached to emotion. It's your baby! Crying will only motivate you, because you want to comfort them. And poop will be the highlight of discussion at the Clairvoyent home. Every person I know that has a child will gladly discuss poop's consistency, color and frequency at the drop of a hat.

On the subject of worrying about screwing it up... well, that never goes away. The guilt of not doing something right sticks to you like tar and feathers. You'll always wonder if you did something right. And if someone sees you do anything with your child, you'll wonder if they think you did the right thing too.

So, Clora, whatever happens, you'll always have my support (if it's worth anything you). And my belief that you will be just fine, with or without a baby in nine months.