General Chat

I was 18 when i had my first (unplanned) baby, then 21 with my second and 32 with my third, they were both planned lol. I don't think there is an ideal age to have children, there are benefits and problems with all. I had no money early on but lots of time and energy, and i thoroughly enjoyed being a full time Mum to my first two children. Third time around i was happily married, slightly better off, and life is much nicer. However life is much busier now, my heath isn't as good as it could be and has slowed me down, so my youngest has lost out in some respects. That said i enjoy being a Mum to him just as much as i did before. My eldest is now talking about when to start her own family, and is horrified at the thought of having a baby before she has 'lived her life' as she puts it. I have pointed out to her that i don't consider my life over and that i plan to do plenty of living now my 'babies' are growing up, starting with the Sahara next year lol. I think most people know when the time is right for them, others find themselves in the situation a little earlier than planned...but it almost always works out to be just right when you hold your baby for the first time......i should know, lol. Yvette

Funny that this topic should come up as it's something I have been discussing with my Husband this past week. I am 32 now and up until recently always said that I would never have any children - my Brother got all the maternal genes and has 8 children and I've always liked being an Aunty. However, I now feel that I would like children (probably only one though) and I know my Husband would be over the moon if we did. I think maybe my biological clock is ticking away and I know that if I want to this that I have to do it soon. I did hear something the other day that some scientists had produced a report that stated the ideal age for having you first child is 34! They did go on to say that generally late 20's to early 30's is the best time health wise! Kaye x

We were in our twenties when our first child came along. Would be lovely to be back there again KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW. Happy days

Oh and to encourage those of you who hear the biological clock ticking away, my aunt had her two children when she was 40 and 41. I have a friend who had two sons when she was 39 and 40 and my sister-in-law had her last child when she was nearly 41. All children healthy and happy. Having a baby at any age is risky, but living is risky! Our ancestors had no choice but to have babies. Being able to choose when is a huge luxury and privilege. nell Hindsight is a great thing - you just get used to coping with a particular stage when your child grows out of it and then you find that what worked with 1st baby doesn't work with 2nd!!!

hi claire i was 25 when i had my first then i had another 3 by the time i was 33 lynnx

I was 26 when I had my eldest Then another at 28 last at 33 Stel.xx

I would just like to say that many of the replies on this thread have made me feel a lot better - it seems that many of you have had children in your late 30's and early 40's without any problems whatsoever. I have been anxious about it, because I don't feel ready for children right now, but worry about being to old soon - I guess when it comes down to it you're as young as you feel, and as pointed out nature obviously intended for us to have children in our 30's and 40's. Thanks everyone. Kaye x

I was 24 1/2 (lol!) when our son was born, and we had been married just over 4 years. I should have been nearer 25 but he was 8 weeks early lol. Hubby was 28 when son was born. We don't have any regrets about having him in our 20s, although I don't think we would have wanted children any earlier. Mandy :)

I was 25 for the first and 28 for the second, but times have changed and women are getting older now before they start families (in general). My youngest daughter is expecting my first grandchild and she is 28. The older one is 31 and no sign at the moment. Their choice! Jacquie xxxx

I was 35 with my first and 37.5 with my second i am now 43 I never had children when i was younger as i think i was too selfish as i went out alot and went away twice a year, also i never met anyone i want to settle down with until i was 33

I had my 1st child at 16 and my second at 25.. losing my daughter in between these times! Very glad now that I had them young as due to health reason have been unable to have any more since Michael was born in 1988! Maz x

I was 23 when I had my first child, 25 when I had my second. Most of my friends were older when they had their children though; and, I think, wiser!

I had my first at 27, 2nd at 29, 3rd at 32 and my 4th last year at 35. I sometimes think I should have started a year or two earlier because I'd quite like a 5th but not just yet! lol Helenxx

Its very easy to see that it really doesnt matter for age (after all it is just a number) as long as things work out and you're happy and your children are loved and cared for that is the main thing. xx