Age when you had your first child?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

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!

unknown pregnancy at 17/ misscarried

25/ only child/ boy

Having my son has completely changed who I was and I have changed for the better. Everything I do is for him. I sometimes wish I would have waited till I was done with school. It gets very frustrating some times becuase of that. He was very much unexpected, but he has taught me so much, which makes me glad I had him when I did - and possible wish I had him earlier. Who knows - I just know the timing was right for me even though everything is very difficult now. I guess I just needed to grow up and having him is what did it. I believe it depends on the person and where they are in their life emotionally, mentally, and if they are cut out to be a parent. I believe age, for the most part, is irrelevant.

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I am 39 and had my first child at 18. It too was very much unexpected and i missed out on a lot for the next few years. I didnt regret him, not once but started to make up for the years i lost when i was in my late 20s. I had my fun and settled down again with my now 2nd husband. We have 2 other children who are now 3 and 6, my son is now 21. I was sorry to miss out on the years i lost but have got a wonderful son who i couldnt imagine life without.

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1st daughter at 17

2nd child (son) at 19

3rd child (daughter) at 23

4th child (son) at 25

5th child (daughter) at 30

6th child (daughter) at 31

Now, I'm close to 43, with 4 still at home, and raising a grandson (age 8).

Started young? yea...

Would I change it? Maybe some things, but not my children.

Perfect age? Whenever your life is stable enough and prepared enough to give the child a proper upbringing with lots of love and understanding.

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I recieved two beautiful stepchildren in the summer of 2005. I married a dear friend, and I always tell the kids "seeing the love your Daddy has for you is one of the reasons I fell in love with him." DH and I were friends for years before I would date him, and at first the fact he had children scared me away, then one day something in me just changed when I was with him and the kids...sounds like a soppy Lifetime movie special, but it's true.

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First child at age 20 (a boy)

Second child at age 22 (a boy)

I don't think that it matters about age, young mother vs. older mother.

What matters is if you are a good mother.

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First child at age 20 (a boy)

Second child at age 22 (a boy)

Age doesn't matter

What matters is if you are a good mother.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I Have seen 35-40 year olds who were not "ready" for parenting---they were sadly mistaken they could control everything and rather clueless as to the major changes a child brings into everyone's lives when they go home....or so-self absorbed and self-centered, I felt the adjustment to parenting would be just enormous for them. I have seen others who were so set in their childless ways, that again, they were in for a huge surprise when baby went home with them....

....yet, I have seen others, who wanted to parent so desperately and were so ready, that these kids were blessed their parents waited until they were ready, emotionally, physically and financially. For some that time was not til they were 30-40 years old.

Conversely, I have seen 16 year olds who AMAZE me in their maturity and natural ability to parent. I have seen them rise to the occasion in a way that truly surprised and astounded me. And it helped most when they had excellent support systems in place to go home to.....

I have come to the conclusion, after being a parent myself, and being an OB nurse for 8 years, that age is not the deciding factor; emotional and financial maturity, as well as social structure at home, are.

It really does make all the difference if a woman having a baby has a very sound, reliable support system at home, be that a good marriage or family and friends willing to help out and be there for her when she needs respite or help. I find the social structure factor VERY telling as to how well parenting will likely go for a given woman/couple.

Age is more important physically than emotionally, I am learning.

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I was 26 when I had my son. I think it was the best age for me because I got my career established, have been married for a few years, had plenty of money in the bank to carry me on the 6 months of leave, and we own a home. Those were my 4 big goals before bringing a child into this world.

Everyone is different though. My mom had her last kid at age 40 and swears that 40 is the best age to have a kid!

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I have come to the conclusion, after being a parent myself, and being an OB nurse for 8 years, that age is not the deciding factor; emotional and financial maturity, as well as social structure at home, are.

ITA. :)

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I had my first and only child at 17. It was definitely a struggle being a single mother and very young but i wouldn't change it for the world. I think having her has been good for me. I am really determined and focused on finishing school and i think its all for her. I want to make a better life for her and I. I want to be able to take care of her on my own with or without a man in my life. if i can get through this i can get through anything.

i think people should have kids when they are ready to have kids.

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#1 on my 23 rd birthday (also my mom's 57th birthday)

#2 at 24 ( 2 mos. shy of 25)

#3 at 27

I would've liked one more, but my oldest has JRA and it wouldn't have been fair to have another at the time. Now I am 40 and I think really I am done. If I did have another, I would be okay w/ it. I think I am not energetic enough to be birthing any more babes at this point in my life. They are all three TEENAGE GIRLS at this point, but I would've been more than happy back when I was very much wanting another to have another girl.:)

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#1 at 18 (a boy)

#2 at 22 (a boy)

#3 at 26 (a boy)

soon to be #4 at 29 ( a 70% chance of a girl--YEAH)

I had my first son three months after my husband and I graduated high school. However, I still managed to get a bachelors degree in education and now I'm back in school for my nursing degree.

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