How old were you when you had kids?

nemsmom

Had my son at 19, 1st daughter at 21, and 2nd daughter at 24. But... I have always wanted the parenting thing, and if medical reasons would not have interfered, I would have had more.

As far as the medical thing that's exactly me and I wanted more as well! I had my daughter at 19 and my son at 22, had I waited I would not have been able to have any.

That's not to say that every woman would be the same. There are many women who have babies into their forties and do just fine. It is higher risk, but doable! Don't let anyone pressure you into having a baby sooner than your ready or waiting longer than you want. That is a VERY personal decision between you and your husband! You get all the advice you need but please, let no one pressure you!

I'm sure you will make wonderful parents when you are ready.

JamieDD

My Mom was almost 36 when she had me. I was 5 months away from being 29 when I had my only son. Both my Mom and I had a hard time getting PG.

DaughterOfTheMostHighKing

I was 28 and my husband was 32. I had my first child at 31, 3 years after we married and my son at 33. sometimes it's best to give yourselves get used to being married... that's why we waited.

12skipafew99100

I had my first at 29 and my last at 36. Hurry up! You get tire when you're older. ) Plus it dosnt always happen right away. It took us a year and a half to get pregnant the first time. Your eggs get older and it harder to concieve the older you are.

We were married 6 years before we had babies. Then had 4 babies in less than 7 years. Maybe thats why I was tired? lol No, really it was ok.

Good luck and much happiness to you and your husband.
deb:flowerforyou:

haitienne56

I had my 1st at 25 2nd 27 and 3rd 36. I was much better at 36 so enjoy your time with your husband.

k0nfyo0zed

Well I guess I am the "late bloomer" thus far in this thread: Had my one and only at 42, with no assistance from medical science. She is beautiful and healthy and my pregnancy was not difficult by any means. We were not seriously trying, (not to piss off anyone who has struggled with trying to conceive) - it was just God's will and timing - and perhaps a wee bit too much alcohol on the night of my mother-in-law's memorial.... I have always considered that Marie went to heaven just to pick Casey out for us.

I like this story a lot. It makes me smile

megsmom2

My daughter was born three days after my 35th birthday. If I had known how great it was being a mom, I would have started earlier, and had a couple more!

addies_mom

I had my daughter last spring at age 25. Although the pregnancy was a surprise, I've really enjoyed being a Mom.
I should probably add, I've been in Grad school since autumn 2010, so have had lots of extra on my plate (with being pregnant and now having a baby). We're not planning another baby yet, I'd like to lose this baby weight first

laurenabell

I'm turning 28 this year and my partner will be 29, neither of us have any kids yet and we aren't ready for them yet either! Do what suits you and have them when you're ready after all it'll be your lives that change and not anyone elses so their opinions don't count.

lilyvale68

My only pregnancies were at 30 and 32. Both kids and I are completely normal and healthy.

fitmom_pam1976

I'm not trying to be the voice of negativity or anything, but for many women, it is harder to get pregnant in their 30s than it would be in their 20s. Fertility rates, on average, do go down as we age. That's just something to think about as you plan your family. :flowerforyou: I do know a couple of ladies, personally, who had careers and did their thing, and now are in their 30s and trying to conceive and have been having a terribly hard time with it.

From personal experience, I am going to have to agree with you! I had my first at 22.....no problems.....as soon as we decided we wanted a baby....... BOOM! I was preggos!!! But, we decided to what a few years for the second. And it was much harder!!!! I could not get preggos....I was so discouraged!!! I actually gave up....and that is when I got pregnant! BUT, many people told me not to wait too long....I guess I shoud have listened.

welcominganewself

I was young. I turned 18 only 11 days before my daughter was born and them my son was born 13 months later. Neither of them were planned and it definitiely made life a struggle for awhile, but I have loved being a mom from day one. There are definitely pros and cons to being either a very young mom or an older mom, but I feel like it is personal preference. I had to grow up fast, but on the flip side, my children will be adults and on their own (hopefully) before I hit 40, so I will have lots of time for myself at a point in my life when I know better who I am. My children are 12 and 13 currently and I still love every day of it, but it can be awkward at school functions some times when I am so much younger than most of the other parents. Whatever you decide, enjoy it!

applejacks1552

Had my daughter the year I turned 30 and hoping for another maybe next year (will be 33). My husband and I also decided to wait a bit - enjoy being a just a couple for a while and get more financially stable.

One point of interest, I work in a genetics lab and medically/biologically speaking 35 is considered "advanced maternal age" because the risk of a genetic error occurring goes up significantly at that point. So biologically speaking the 20's are probably more "ideal".

Having said that though, plenty of women have had healthy babies in their 30's and well beyond with little or no trouble. And modern fertility medicine is amazing if you do have issues, which can happen at any age anyway.

So there's no reason to rush into it. Wait until you are ready. Because it's a BIG change.

Erica002

Had my first at 19 and my second at 21. No regrets.

muzmacol

28 and 33, my wife was 38 with the 2nd child!

nussbaums

17 wit my first...I had my 2nd 5 days before I turned 25 and my 3rd 11 days before I turned 26...

lisakyle_11

28, 30, 37

rockerbabyy

ill be 28 in april - i was a week from 22 when i had my first, and two months from 23 when i had my second. was going to start trying for #3 this june, but finances arent where we thought theyd be, so might have to wait a bit longer.

chinn5

I had 5 children and did not have my first until I was 30. At 33 I had a set of twins and then at 36 and 38 had one more each time. All went fine with no complications. However I was willing to except the higher risk of downs syndrome or complications. I did not have any optional pre-natal testing because of my age. I opted out since I would except any type of child we were blessed with.

chachita7

I had my oldest when I had just turned 19 and my youngest 5 days before I turned 21... in 3 years I will be 40 and ready to face life as if I was 20, LOL

dragonflybird

20 and 25.

elizabeth51608

There is no "right age" to have kids... you have kids when you are ready to ENJOY them and PARENT them. That age is difference for everyone. Whether people like to admit it or not, kids are a HUGE lifestyle change and you need to do that when the time is right. Enjoy these last couple of child-free years! Our generation is much different...people are starting families at 30, 35, 40, 45... it's the way of the world...

DisneyAddictRW

19 when I had my first child.
20 and my hubby got cancer so kids got put off in our plans. Then doctors said we could have more kids and we were blessed with two more without the help of IVF as doctor stated was our only hope.
24 when I had my second.
26 when I had my third.

divasoofly

We had our son at 36 and we are now trying for another baby. :)

nataliefrank

I was 17 and it was a surprise! I thank god everyday for my daughter! She changed my whole life around and for the better! My husband and I got married when she was 1 1/2 and then started trying for our next one. They told me I was lucky that I had her so early because they werent sure if I would be able to become pregnant again (PCOS). almost five years later of trying, one month shy of 22, we were blessed with our second child, our son! I love being a young mom, I proved all the typical stereotypes wrong, with the way my life has turned out, both kids have the same dad ( my hubby ) I have a great career as a Hospice Manager, and I know that when my kids are grown and out of the house my husband and I will still be young enough to enjoy our lives at that time. Being so young when I had them, I feel as if i can relate to todays world and society with what my 10 yr old daughter is going through! Then I think about the fact that if and when I was to become a grandma I will still be young enough to help my children out with their kids and watch them grow and be a very active grandma like my mother has been!

But, I do believe that everything happens for a reason and you not having kids until mid 30's, there may be a reason for that! Dont let it stress you out! Good luck!!!

robot_potato

18 and 21, but i met my husband at 14.

annameier8706

I was 21 with my first and 6 days from 23 with my second. We are done having kids. I am so happy to have had them when I did, they will be out of the house by the time my hubby retires from the Air Force :-)

Russian1

First when I was 26, second a few months before I turned 35! Doctor kept saying 'you're giving birth before you're 35 right?' Otherwise it meant more tests.... My first child was brought up in a much stricter fashion than this second one. Now I don't sweat the small things. Ice cream for breakfast once a year while camping isn't going to kill him! (Yeah, I know I'm on a site for 'healthy living' but really, is it?) If we stay up and giggle in bed for 10 minutes past his bedtime he isn't going to fall over while running and playing - at least he hasn't yet!

I'm more physically fit now but do find that I am more tired than I was with the first. He is an energetic little man though! I found as I aged I had forgotten to take in the little things around me and one thing about small kids is that they notice and are in awe of the little things. Flowers, animals, stars, etc. I love it. It keeps me grounded. Plus I get to keep going to animated movies and pretend it's because of my child, I get to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, and all the good stuff for more years! If you are in good health and your doctor doesn't expect any complications if you wait, there shouldn't be a problem!

ETA: Only thing about waiting for the second one is that we were on easy street! Our daughter is old enough to watch herself but we still aren't 'free to go' because now we have a 5 year old. It was like starting over. Plus, we would like to travel more now that we are 'older' but have the young child and don't feel right asking people to come and stay with him. It's a catch 22 - The good outweighs the bad though! (Oh and I've dismissed the thought of retirement - I'll be putting him through university!)

amymeenieminymo

No kids yet, but we are trying. My husband and I are both 32, I'll be 33 in May so I'll be 33 at the very youngest, if not creeping on 34 (Hopefully no later than that). We want two kids, so it's looking like, depending on when we have the first, that we'll be trying for our second around 35 or 36.

I worry about the age thing...growing up I thought I would get married at 22, kids by 24 and be all done at the ripe old age of 27-ish. Well I didn't even meet my husband until I was 28, married at 31 and started trying the week after I turned 32. So I do worry about age....but there really isn't anything I can do about it, and my worry really comes more from a societal standpoint.

Starla_

I turned 18 a month before I had my eldest daughter, I was single, it wasn't easy but I made my decision and am glad of it.

I was married and 22 when I had my son and 24 when I had my youngest daughter. I always did want children when I was younger, but that was my preference. I've gotten a lot of **** for being a young mum but I honestly wouldn't change it for the world.

Don't let anyone tell you when you should be making such a life changing decision. It's not their decision to make.