Age when you had your first child?

[sugabuga]

Morning everyone! I'm doing a paper for development psych (ugh) and was wondering how old most of you were when you had your first child and what you think the best age to start a family is. I appreciate your responses in advance!

[Meerkat]

first pregnancy at 27, but first live birth at 33

[Cherry2]

23- and it has been the perfect age for me. My son is now a year old, and I can keep up with him. Also, during all the early nights when I had to get up to breastfeed, it wasn't hard for me to get up and go back to sleep.

[ladybugsea]

27. :)

[RavenAngel]

I'm 31 now, and have a 14 year old son, and 10 and 6 year old daughters. Yes, I was a senior in high school(17) when I became a mom. Was this the best age? No, but being a young mom has its advantages too. Even though it was definitely a struggle, I will be in my forties when my children leave the nest, and I will have that time in my life to travel, work more, and have more freedom. On the downside, it has taken me much longer to complete college, and I am still in the process of buying my first home.

I don't think there really is a "best age" for starting a family, because raising children is the hardest job you will ever have regardless. However, I sometimes wonder about parents starting families in their late 40s, early 50s and wonder how well it is working for them.

[Q.]

I'm 32 and 7 months ago gave birth to my first, and last, children: boy/girl twins.

The timing was perfect for hubby and I. I wanted to be settled into our careers before introducing children into our lives.

[RoxanRN]

#1 at 24

#2 at 33

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I don't think there is a best "age" but I do think some things need to be in order first. Finished with school. Married. :)

I had my first at 24. Had my last at 43. I have 2 in between.

I love infants, toddlers, elementary school age kids. Teens - not so much.

My oldest is in college about to graduate with a Bachelor's degree. My youngest is in preschool. My 2nd child has a full-time job working in the woods driving a skidder. My 16 year old is a sophomore.

I pounded it into my kid's heads to get their education first.

steph

[Annor]

#1 ~ 27

#2 ~ 32

Worked out good for me and the hubby....:blushkiss

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

#1 age 22

#2 age 27 - worked very well for me. I've always worked and wanted to be able to some time between the kids. Plus, I was in the military with the first son and would never wish that on anyone!

[Lisa CCU RN, RN]

First at 20 and second at 22. I think the best age to have a child is whenever you are financially ready. I'd say emotionally as well, but it's hard to tell when that is sometimes. I was ready in both ways, but my baby daddy , my husband, was not ( but that's another story).

[Jolie, BSN]

#1 31

#2 34

We tried for a loooong time before the first one came along, so I would have done it younger, if I could have. But I also know that I have mellowed a lot with age, and have much more patience now than I would have had in my 20's. A positive effect of the nine year delay was that we were more financially stable than we would have been otherwise, and I have been able to stay at home full-time.

In my opinion, though, a baby is a blessing at any time.