Is there really such a thing as being "biologically prepared" to be a parent?

When I was 18, I really wanted a kid for a while. I’m happy to say I got through that strange period of time. I was not in the right place to be a parent, and I’m glad I didn’t have to be.

I know that I want to have children someday, but I’ve been waiting for some sort of cue.

I’m in a pretty good place right now, so I might want to tentatively start thinking about parenthood in more concrete terms. Not right now, not even soon…but not in some distant future, either.

Parents: Did you feel ready to have children? Cognitively, emotionally, or maybe instinctively? Does it even matter? If the degree of readiness does not matter, what does?