The New Baby Boom

Did you hear/read the news that more babies were born in 2007 than the previous record set in the 1950s?

Interestingly, 40% of the babies were born to unwed mothers, and although some of those were teenage mothers, the vast majority of those were over 20 years of age. One of the lead researchers was quoted as saying, "For a variety of reasons, it's become more acceptable for women to have babies without a husband."

It's definitely something I continue to ponder and have discussed with some of my singleton peers. Ideally, I would like to have a committed relationship first and then a child. But as the clock continues it's steady march towards forty, I wonder if I should go it alone. But I continue to delay the decision, in part because I wonder if bringing a child into the world on my own is selfish, knowing that the child wouldn't have a father. Would it be better to adopt, giving a child at least one parent? And, of course, there's the very real fact that I would have to continue to work, being a single parent, and someone else would be raising my child during most of its waking hours.

There's no easy answer. I'm grateful that I at least have three beautiful nieces and two charming nephews to enjoy, all of whom I got to see this past weekend!

Knocking Yourself Up

(Inspired by this article)

It's something I think about sometimes...having a baby on my own. I know it's not ideal, but although I can live with the idea that I might never get married again, I can't give up on my dream to have kids. Or at least 1 kid.

I also consider adoption. I know several people who have done that and have had wonderful experiences. I know I could give a child a safe, loving home.

But there's something alluring about the ability to create a child within your own body. I know there are less pleasant aspects of pregnancy (Paula reminded me this weekend), but there's also so much wonder. Plus, I'd like to see some of my genes passed on.

Now, don't panic, this isn't something I'm planning on doing this weekend or anything. It's just interesting to me that there are more and more women who are in my situation -- financially stable and successful that haven't met the right partner -- who are choosing to make their destiny instead of waiting to see if it will happen.