Am I doing the wrong thing?

so my friend's are both 17 and they just recently had a baby, he's close to 5 months old, and they call me just about everyday to babysit him...and i love that little baby and i feel bad for him cuz he's got such a hard life, and so do his parnets so i like to give them breaks, but the thing is they don't always pay me....like almost never pay me, and i know that they are running low on money but the mom has a part time job, and the dad is going to basic training in like 2 months. they have thier own house right next to his mom's house. they also smoke and drink. i've had to pay for the diapers once before, but i didn't want the baby to sit in his diapers for how long,especially cuz the store was closing in like 5 minutes. i love that baby like he's my own. it almost makes me want to have one myself..(p.s. im 17 also). and since i've been taking care of him i feel like i could handle a baby. so two questions is it right what im doing with babysitting for them? and should i have a baby?

You are being a good friend to them but you need to set some ground rules with them tell then you would be happy to baby sit for them and you want to get a little compensation tell them you don't want much but something reasonable. Also if they just want you to baby sit because they want to get drunk and cant do it with the baby then tell them no and they should spend that money on the baby instead of wasting it on alcohol. Now as for you having a baby you need to finish school and get a good job you want to be able to give your baby better than what your friends are giving theirs don't you? Trust me its a lot easier if you can afford it.

DO NOT HAVE A BABY! Like the other person said. Babysitting is totally different then having a real baby! Have you had one of those pretend baby's that simulate a real one? I have and it woke me up like 4 times that night! Just imagine what that would be like ALL THE TIME! Plust the kid would need to have two parents. And that doesn't mean get married! Just like the other person said, use the your mothering skills with the baby you're babysitting.

I would say it would be better to babysit for now.. Having a baby isn't as easy as it seems... The long nights of calming your child down. The late nights of no sleep, with your age you will be forced to grow up. Enjoy your young life as much as you can.. Wanting a baby isn't the same as having a baby... Let it stay in your thoughts for now.. Good luck..

Don;t have a baby at 17, it's far too young to make a lifetime commitment like that. It's great your helping out your friend and connecting with the baby and stuff. But don;t be taken for a ride, if they are not paying you then walk away.

You'll have a baby soon enough and you'll make a great mum, when your time comes. dont throw away