5 Eays to Cure Baby Envy

Do you want a baby? Do you secretly wish that your friend's child belonged to you too? Do you want your own little darling of excitement, where every breath, kiss, touch, yawn, burp is so new and precious!

Sometimes it's hard to resist the little hands and little feet, those little button noses. We are biologically programmed to want children - particular women! The reality of this day and age, though, is that it's not always a good time to have a kid. We're living so much longer so we can delay children in favor of a career or a more certain financial stability. It's just incredibly hard not to want one of your own.

So I've compiled 5 ways to lower or suppress that baby fever in yourself, and your partner!

1. Get a dog (or a pet)

Dogs are loyal, loving and cute and fuzzy! They're incredibly rewarding and good practice for children. They are dependent on you entirely, much like a child; they potty train faster and never learn how to talk back.

It's not a permanent fix for baby envy, but they do help satisfy some of those parental urges. The reason I specifically mention dogs, of course, is because they crave interaction unlike cats that largely operate independently from their owners. Dogs want cuddles, walks and care about holding your attention.

2. Care about your fitness

It's harder to sacrifice your body to pregnancy if you've labored months, or years for your physique. I find that women who are avid athletes are less likely to want to go through pregnancy specifically because they have worked too hard to attain their body.

3. Stay Busy

A great way to not want children is to simply have too many commitments, too many activities with no time or energy to also suckle a baby and change diapers. Thank God you don't have children to take up your time!

It might be a good time to start writing a book, get a jump start on your career or take up a hobby that requires physical activity.

4. Talk to someone who has a kid and doesn't fart sunshine

It seems like parents are always recruiting, wondering when their friends will have babies and talking about how fulfilling it is to have a child. Once in awhile you'll get someone who says it like it is - pregnancy sucks, you never sleep and breastfeeding takes a lot more time out of the day than most people thought.

5. Do the money math

Diapers, bottles, milk, food, constantly changing clothing sizes and possibly sending the muchkin to college - take a look at your paycheck, try to do the math and balk at how expensive it is to bring a baby into this world.

It's not that children aren't a good investment or a fulfilling experience, but sometimes it's not the right time to have kids. These steps can help stave the baby envy until you are in a point in your life where it feels right to have them.