Age when you had your first child?

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2005

I think because we as a society are living longer with a good quality of life, that that would be of no worry. Even if you have a child at 40, I would hope by the time I'm 65 my child would be on their own. :chuckle

Thanks for all the replies! My prof is going to flip! It seems as there are pros and cons to any age. I have no children and don't plan to until my late 20s, maybe 30. Do any of you that had your children when you were older worry about your retirement or not being able to spend as much of your life with your grandkids? Dh worries about being too old when the kids get out of school. He's worried he'll never be able to retire. Are his fears valid?

Danianne · Nov 30, 2005

Here is my input:

Married @ age 18 in OCtober

1st baby @ age 19 in July

2nd preg 9 mon after first baby (miscarrage @ 9weeks)

2nd baby @ age 20 in March (3 months early)

we wanted to have children right away and we really wanted them close together so they could grow up together.

Esmeraldad1203 · Nov 30, 2005

I had my son when I was 22.

midwife2b · Nov 30, 2005

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!

I was pretty young... 21... but we all survived. I was already a nurse with 1 1/2 years experience when she was born. Where I grew up that was pretty "normal" at the time.

Timing is a tradeoff. My girls are grown now, and I am still (relatively) young enough to enjoy life. Some of my friends who are my age still have infants and toddlers. I often wonder if I would have parented differently if I had been older, but both daughters turned out WONDERFUL! :balloons:

giada23 · Nov 30, 2005

I was very young when I had my first child. I got pregnant when I was 15, and had him when I was 16. I got pregnant again with baby number two when I was 19. I don't reccomend getting pregnant that young, and I certainly did have a pretty tough time some days, but I made the best of my situation. I am now 24 and I am doing alright for myself. I finished highschool, and I am currently attending college. I bought my home when I was 20, and I did it all all by myself. I haven't had the pleasure of having a supportive husband. I think the ideal age to have a child is 32. You know a little bit more, you should be established in some type of career, and basically happy and settled. Thats my take on things.

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Dec 1, 2005

I was 20 with my first one and 22 with the second. Both my sons are grown and on thier own for a number of years now. I am still young and back in school for my LPN, will graduate May 06. I plan on going for my RN. I think school has been easier since I dont have any children at home. I believe there is good and bad no matter what age you are. I know so much more at this age that I am sure I would have made different decisions pertaining to parenting. But, my kids have turned out well and I am happy:)

spidermonkey · Dec 1, 2005

Jamesdotter · Dec 1, 2005

#1 31

#2 33--the same age as my mom when she had me! (but I was #4 for her)

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2005

I was just barely 32 when I had my boys.

Always thought I'd do it sooner (before 30) but things just didn't work out that way. But now I'm very much OK with it. I'm more relaxed about most things, and I'm ONLY 43 and glad I still have young kids. Yes, I had more energy in my 20's, but I'm dieting and exercising and really think some of that energy will return if I drop some of this excess weight.

A long-winded way to say it was right for me.

About a year ago, I had a scare and thought I might be pregnant. I must admit I was terrified. We would have handled it, though, if it had happened. And I think that if I didn't already have kids, it would be fine to start at this age. But since I do have them, I'll take a pass on the sleepless nights, thank you!

:Santa5:

lucky4timesover · Dec 2, 2005

18- baby boy

21- baby boy #2

23- baby boy #3

Thank God above that they were all healthy and they are more than ever the light of mine and my husband's life.:)

Graciegirlienurse · Dec 3, 2005

I had my son just before I turned 15. Now I am 21 and a RN BSN.:balloons: Things have really turned out ok for us. I have extremely supportive parents, I believe that a strong support system is the key for teen pregnancies. He will be grown and out when I am 32!

kersti · Dec 3, 2005

Number 1 when I was 25. (boy)

Number 2 when I was 27. (girl)

This seemed perfect timing for me since I had already worked a few years to get some job experience I could take a few years off to be a full-time mom, and get right back into the job with few difficulties. I had been working on an ICU, and they were happy to take me back.

Also, I wasn't so young that I hadn't had time to experience any of the fun things in life like parties, discos, traveling. And I had completed school and worked already. I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything before.

Looking into the future, I will still be young enough to do all the traveling and whatnot when the kids leave the house that sometimes I wonder if somebody who is 60 when their kids turn 18 or 19 will still able to do?

Everybody does need to set their own priorities for when they think they are best able to handle offspring- even though I think that first time moms who are older than 35/40 do seem to have a harder time of it. Or at least this has been the case with the moms that I know who had children at that age.