sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

i myself have done both but i wish i had chosen the former as i have enjoyed it so much more than when i was in my 20's.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Not sure what you would call "later in life" I had my first child when I was 19, another on the way now at 28. I will hopefully have more than that dependinf on if I can afford them.

Saying that though, my first borns mum was also 19, my seconds mum will be 37 when she has her first.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Anyhows I thought you only had the one?

HankScorpio

Or not at all

davegtt

I would have liked to have had kids about 25. I always had the mind set that when I was 40 I would still be young enough to have fun and travel etc whilst the kids are old enough to look after themselves. That way youve had a decent youth yourself and plenty of time left to enjoy your wealth (presuming you have made something of yourself )

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

ooo nooooooo

SJ_Skyline

Mid 30s, I guess that's late under the criteria?

Yes it has been tough balancing work with babies and I'm sure it will continue to be so, it's the nature of the beast I guess.

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

i think when you have them in your youth you are still wanting to do stuff for yourself, you get less selfish as you get older.

i have loved every minute being a mum to Angel and would definately recommend it

Will

had my first daughter when i was 21 and 2nd when i was 24.

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

i can see you will end up with about 10 then

DCI Gene Hunt

+1

David Lock

We had 2 kids late, 39 & 40. Too late really as you take a much bigger chance with nature getting it right. Thank goodness ours were fine. I think you make better parents if you are older - more common sense for a start. And still with enough energy to cope (just)

But what really made the difference was that my wife gave up a career to stay at home and be with them 24/7. Bit of a struggle but worth it IMHO.

I suspect late 20s/early 30s is the ideal but so much depends on personal circumstances. dl

Fat Boy

My friends (he 47, she 41!) have just had their first - twin boys. His life is so over

I also have another friend who is 52, wife 48 and they have a 21 year old, a 14 year old and a 4 month old... His reply when his wife said she was preggers with the unplanned 3rd was f*** off!

He's so shagged he can barely see

Will

. No im happy with 2

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

thats good, i was going to send you some of my free Scottish condoms

Coffin Dodger

In some respects having your kids at 18 is a great idea as by the time they're 18 you're only 36. They're now independent and you are still young and have money to go a do cool stuff like travel, buy flash cars, etc.

Have your kids at 36+ and your approaching retirement by the time you've finally got them to move out. Your life is coming to an end

Unfortunately I'm in the latter boat

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

The thought of starting a family never crossed my mind as I enjoyed myself through those uni years, then with job and disposable income there was NFW I'd consider a family until I'd really enjoyed myself and sorted out my career.

Have now got 2 kids, had them at 32 and 35.

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

i had my daughter in my 30's which means she can look after me and collect my pension

if you have them earlier they have their own families to look after so you don't get your hedges and grass cut

Coffin Dodger

There's pros to both options I suppose

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

believe me, i have worked it all out

Spoon

Had one at what I thought was the ideal age of 29. Luckily when I decided I didn't like the change, I managed to sell it.

Will

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

I'M 31 and my better looking smarter half is 26, We plan on trying in the next year or so, For me this is about as late as I want to leave it, We want two in total and I have no idea if we will run into problems etc..

I am not sure how I would have coped but looking back if I dont think, on a personal level, I was anywhere near mature enough when I was in my early 20's.
I know a bunch of people who have had them at this age and they have top kids, but for me, and the sake of the kids its best I waited.

Leslie

They always used to say that leaving it too late to have them was pushing your luck because an older person is more likely to have a child which is not perfect in health.

I would have thought that it is better to have them while you are young is better because you are better able to cope with all the hassle anyway.

Les

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

thats what it boils down to, money. i want a hundred but i will have to win the lottery first

Simon K

I think I can answer this, as my lady is expecting our first.

Im 36 and expecting my first in Jan 09. My brother has two kids, 3 and 1 and they run myself and my bro mad.

Physically demands of children, well I would say have them in your late 20's, but for me, mentally I wasnt ready then. I wanted to play the field, screw my brains out and kids were the last things I wanted.

So, at 36, I feel ready for them, but when I baby sit for my bro, christ they tire me out, the little *****. Made me realise how unfit I was so have been jogging and getting fitter in readiness.

Having them latter inlife, Ive got the sports car, truck, drink, clubbing desires out ofmy system and, sad as it sounds, have loved getting the nursery ready and buy silly cute little clothes. :-) Im looking forward to it, and dont regret waiting so long.

Overall, I would say have them when your ready. There isnt a right or wrong time. Mind you saying that, my mate was born when his mum was 45 and dad was 57 !!!! He obviously lost them when he was still young and having older parents did effect him.

SBK

lozgti

Never wanted kids.It was the call of the 'clock' that got my wife going so at 37 we ended up having twins.

Enjoyed my 20's and mid 30's without kids though but couldn't imagine life without them now.

I still play cricket and want to see my kids playing for my club when they are older...though I'll be 50 when they are in their teens which is a bit of a downer!

Out of the choices though...later I'd say

SJ_Skyline

Loz, I know what you mean mate. I was planning on mine coming biking and running with me but I'll be in my fifties too....