Is Age Really Just a Number Survey... Please help me out!

[JessicaGates]

Hello I am looking to find out some answers for a university project that surround the question 'Is Age Really Just a Number'. Obviously the concept of age when having children is always open to debate so I would greatly appreciate it if people could answer these questions.

1.What age were you when you had your first child?

2.If you have not had your first how old will/will you want to be?

3.What age did you had your last child?

4.If you have not had your last how old would you go?

5.In your opinion how young is too young to have a baby?

6.In your opinion how old is too old to have a baby

[Rubyx]

1.I was 21.
2.25
3.29
4.wanted my children by 30
5.anything under 25. Most people just aren't mature enough ( me included at that time)
6.35plus
Hope that helps

[ZuzuBailey]

Uncanny, but Rubyx's answers are identical to mine.

I wonder if we're similar ages now?

[Devora]

1. 41
   
2. -
   
3. 45
   
4. -
   
5. Under 16 a bad idea for physiological reasons; after that it varies with maturity/ social support/ readiness of individual
   
6. I think after natural menopause is probably a bad idea.
   

When you get to my age (older than God) you get a little less opinionated about this sort of thing, i find.

[ZuzuBailey]

Ha Devora! I'll bet I'm older than you and far more opinionated

[DamselInDisarray]

1. 19
   
2. N/A
   
3. 28
   
4. N/A
   
5. It depends very much on the individual and their own circumstances. I don't see that it's any of my business how and when other people to have babies.
   
6. As above.

[dontmakemecomeupthere]

1. 33
   
2. -
   
3. 41
   
4. -
   
5. Under 20ish (depending on maturity of person)
   
6. Any time post menopause.

[Devora]

OK, well try this for a generalisation, Zuzu: when you get older you don't give a flying toss care nearly so much about what others think of you and your life choices.

[Beamur]

1. First baby at 37
   
2. n/a
   
3. n/a
   
4. Not sure, 41 now and doubtful to try again.
   
5. Under 16, although preferably over 18
   
6. 45ish/natural menopause.
   

Maybe you should also ask, if you could have changed it/controlled it - when would you have had your first child? I probably wouldn't have chosen 37 but that's the way it turned out.

[Devora]

I've just reread the thread title and am laughing - when I first clicked on it I thought 'elderly parents' meant MY MUM. But it actually means ME

Fair enough; I'm probably older than the OP's mother...

[Devora]

Good point, Beamur. I would never say I had my dc at the ideal age. I don't know any parents over 40 or under 25 who would say they had their children at the ideal age. But life happens, relationships split, eggs don't hatch - whatever - and before you know it you're in the situation where you have to pick babies: now or never, NOT babies: now or 10 years ago.

In an ideal world, many more women would have the income, housing, security and social support to be able to choose parenthood in their 20s, IMO. Right now, if you live in an expensive part of the country, have career aspirations, and want to take your time to find and develop a solid relationship, that's a hard thing to pull off.

I've said it on about a zillion threads: it's not what women WANT that needs examining, it's why our society makes it so bloody hard for them to combine motherhood with other aspects of adult identity.

[Beamur]

I'm slightly about being an 'elderly parent' too..

[bibbitybobbityhat]

1. 38
   
2. n/a
   
3. 40
   
4. n/a
   
5. under 25
   
6. over 45

[DamselInDisarray]

I don't think there is an 'ideal' age to have kids at all. I probably wouldn't have chosen 19 as the age to have my first child, but I wouldn't change it even if I could. Having DS1 is a big part of me and who I've become. I don't believe that I would have done as well at uni or achieved as much if I hadn't had him (even though it would have been easier without a child to worry about).

My sister, on the other hand, is obsessed about what age she'll be when she has kids. She puts herself in a no win situation where she sets criteria for being able to try (being married, financially stable, having a big enough house, etc) and then she panics that she won't have time or she'll be 'too old'. It's all very unhealthy for her and doesn't make her happy. And it's a bit silly as the truth is you're never 'ready' for it and everyone just muddles through whatever situation they find themselves a mother in.

[bruffin]

1. 33
   
2. n/a
   
3. 35
   

4 n/a
5 under 25
6 later 40s

[bigTillyMint]

1.34

3.36

5.under 20, but preferably wait till at least nearer 30

6.Depends on the person, but definitely after natural menopause (presuming not v early)

[JessicaGates]

I didn't choose the talk title of elderly parents, just had to put my thread under a category, sorry! lol.
Thank you all so much for your replies it's helped me out.
Take a look at this Facebook page and join if you like, it's looking at all different aspects of the topic not just children.
www.facebook.com/groups/343006375732948/

[JessicaGates]

www.surveymonkey.com/s/CTYNG2M

[LiamsMummyJaz]

1. 21
2. NA
3. 25
4. NA
5. As long as they have a mature attitude and are financially stable age is just a number.
6. 40+

I wanted a family now as I was ready for a child and it was the best decision I have ever made (21)

[LiamsMummyJaz]

Why do the people putting under 25 as not acceptable think that? (just wondering)?

[LiamsMummyJaz]

And I got questions 3 and 4 mixed up!! Sorry!!

[Gigondas]

1.36
2.-

1. 39
2. 40 (more for reasons of mental/emotional health )
3. Prob 16 but as other have said it depends on maturity etc
4. Menopause