i'm currently writing the exams that will determine whether i get into university, dealing with some home stress, and diagnosed with depression. WHY am i constantly thinking about having a baby?!?!?! i'm not even dating anybody right now, nor am i interested in anyone. at first i obviously blamed it on ovulation, but this has been going on for MONTHS now, and everytime i see a video of a baby, a baby in public, a kid under the age of 7 or baby animals i just get so overwhelmed and emotional and i think about having one of my own. my poor cat is my current baby lol, so i've been taking my baby fever out on him, but now i've started having DREAMS about being a teen single mom..
WHAT is going on. is this some weird way of my brain telling me i need more love in my life? is this a sign that i should have kids some day? is school too stressful and my brain is just distracting me? idk lol
baby fever
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confusedrat_101
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mikky
- scarleteen staff/volunteer
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Re: baby fever
Hey confusedrat,
For those of us with very depressed systems, babies and kids can be a huge source of joy to connect with and a reminder that we ourselves deserve care and to be curious and silly. Kids are so important, not just as “future adults,” to include and involve in what we do. There can also be a little clue here about our own inner child needing some nurturing and attention. Given that there is stress at home, I wonder if the kid/baby you were is feeling in need of some extra care?
Additionally, since you are dealing with these big exams and uncertainty about what comes next in your life, I wonder if there is some component here around having a baby feeling like a more certain path forward than the unsureness of exams.
I experience this too- overwhelming “baby fever,” all the time. When I am able to, I nanny or offer childcare to neighbors. If you have time for this, amidst exams, there are a lot of parents out there who can use some extra support. Is that something you would enjoy?
For those of us with very depressed systems, babies and kids can be a huge source of joy to connect with and a reminder that we ourselves deserve care and to be curious and silly. Kids are so important, not just as “future adults,” to include and involve in what we do. There can also be a little clue here about our own inner child needing some nurturing and attention. Given that there is stress at home, I wonder if the kid/baby you were is feeling in need of some extra care?
Additionally, since you are dealing with these big exams and uncertainty about what comes next in your life, I wonder if there is some component here around having a baby feeling like a more certain path forward than the unsureness of exams.
I experience this too- overwhelming “baby fever,” all the time. When I am able to, I nanny or offer childcare to neighbors. If you have time for this, amidst exams, there are a lot of parents out there who can use some extra support. Is that something you would enjoy?
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confusedrat_101
- newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2025 5:54 am
- Age: 17
- Awesomeness Quotient: i do karate :D
- Primary language: english
- Pronouns: they/them
- Sexual identity: confused and scared
- Location: South Africa
Re: baby fever
probably! unfortunately i dont have much energy for myself, let alone kids. but when i do, im 100% going to try and babysit!!!
thank you about the comment about my inner child. i always suspect these feelings are connected to something deeper
thank you about the comment about my inner child. i always suspect these feelings are connected to something deeper
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mikky
- scarleteen staff/volunteer
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- Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2025 11:08 am
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- Primary language: English
- Pronouns: they/them
- Sexual identity: queer
- Location: Pacific North West
Re: baby fever
I am sorry that you don't have much energy for yourself right now. That can be so difficult to navigate. Personally, I get pretty upset that teenagers are asked to do so much and just pave over their own needs for the sake of academics and others.
Can you think of some ways to help out your inner child while you work on exams and have this stress at home?
Can you think of some ways to help out your inner child while you work on exams and have this stress at home?