Kirsty Allsopp says ditch university and have baby by 27

[Prettyinbeige]

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jun/02/kirstie-allsop-young-women-ditch-university-baby-by-27

I know it's different for everyone but I completely agree with this article.

For me having my son at 22 was the best thing I ever did. It made me a much stronger and more confident person, which then in turn has helped me in pursuing a career and building a life for us.
I think I would have found things a lot harder if I had built a career and a life to then have to sacrifice it in order to have a baby.

I also understand in some cases it isn't possible for people to have children before a certain age. But I guess what I'm saying is I see some sense in what Kirsty is saying

[kelda]

I managed to get two degrees, and a good start to a career and have my first baby at age 27. I will be encouraging my two girls to go to university and/or get a professional qualification before they have babies, so they can at least support themselves and their babies.

[TooOldForGlitter]

I think the day people take advice from Kirsty Allsop on anything other than bunting is a day to mourn.

[TooOldForGlitter]

and I guess people who don't want kids should just go lay in the road and wait for a bus to end their miserable existence?

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I'm annoyed she only included (or the article only included) the bit about getting men on board in the last line.

IME the vast majority of women are perfectly well aware of when fertility declines. Men, not so much.

I wish there were better support to have babies alongside university/building a career.

[purplemurple1]

Haven't read the article as on my phone and it's not a cliky link. But why do you think you would have to ditch your career to have a baby? Lots of women have a kid go back and continue their careers, some choose to take short breaks and/or dad takes a break as well.
I can't imagine being at the start of your career with kids to look after is a walk in the park.

[MiniatureRailway]

I was married with two children and a degree by 27.

I do agree with starting young but am glad I got my qualifications and a steady job first. Children are expensive and studying with young ones around sounds like a nightmare.

[ZanyMobster]

I went straight from college into work and did my professional accountancy qualifications, I was pregnant at 25 and 27, I had 5 years off then went back into work and have continued to progress in my career. Uni was never for me, I knew what I wanted to do and knew the best way to do it. Children so soon were not planned but in hindsight it was the best way for me.

I wasn't at the highest level I could be when I had DS1 but at a middle level which made it ok to leave for a while and go back into at the same level, I also only work 4 days a week which I couldn't have done if I had been at a much higher level.

I totally agree that it is different for everyone though.

[Randomnessesses]

I think you can do both - go to uni, start a career and have a baby by 27. I'm really thankful to have my degree behind me as it would have been harder to do one with children in tow. We have no family close by and I do all the childcare between 6am and 8pm

[PossumPoo]

I had DC1 at 33 and am trying for DC2 now at 37. I agree that we need to shift back to having DC earlier. But 22 would have been way too young for me as I did a lot of travel in my 20s and wouldn't want to change that.

But I work with a very ambitious lady who wants one more promotion before ttc. She is 37 and I personally think she's cutting it fine for her first.

And I'm not talking about those that didnt find their DP until late 30s tries not get flamed

[ZanyMobster]

Sorry that sounds as if I am agreeing with her, I am not really, just saying that there are different ways that mean you still can have a career and children young etc.

[PacificDogwood]

How about "Every woman should have children when her life allows"?

There is no arguing with biology, but I don't see how anybody (never mind such a word-renowned expert on all things family and fertility related as KA ) can say what is right for anybody else other than themselves.

Twatty article.

[littlegreengloworm]

I studied for two degrees (inc. MSc) and two Post grads, got on the property ladder at 23 without parentl support (worked my backside off evenings and weekends on top of my day job)

I had my first baby at 35 and while it is older than the norm I've travelled the world, have savings, good car, good career, own home.

That is not a brag - as I said I worked my arse off.

Kirsty comes from a very privileged family (she has a title). I came from a very deprived background. I wouldn't like to only have what I have because if a partner or my parents.

That said, I do like Kirsty and she's entitled to her opinion. She's just from another background to me.

[melissa83]

I managed to have my first at 23 and still have a degree, masters and work full time since age 18. Why cant a woman do everything?

[Prettyinbeige]

I did not plan my child but it worked out the best way for me. I spent the last 5/6 years developing my career and gaining skills to get me at the point I am today, where I am able to devote a lot of my time to work.

If I fell pregnant now I would have to sacrifice a huge amount in terms of work (wouldn't be able to work full time) (probably could cope doing such a stressful job and having a new born) than I did at the age of 22

I feel I was a much more relaxed and energetic mum at 22 than I would be now.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Because that'd be far too simple, pac.

I agree completely.

[BravePotato]

agree with too old for glitter:

"I think the day people take advice from Kirsty Allsop on anything other than bunting is a day to mourn"

[juneybean]

It's Kirstie

[cutefluffybunnes]

There is no official, one-size-fits-all 'best age' to have kids. And I was waaaaaaay to busy studying and having a good time and making money to have kids until post-30. Wouldn't change a thing. And I'm equally sure age 20 is the right answer for others. If whatever you did worked out, then you did the right thing.

The article is a load of crap.

[Vintagebeads]

I like Kirsty,I do I enjoy her on LL and think she can be funny. But she is turning into a bit of Gwyneth with this one way of living crap

She sounds smug and silly in the article.

[TroyMcClure]

i think having them first is better, looking back. I didnt have them very late but a colleague is 47 and all hers have left home leaving her free to get a degree and WHOOSH up the career ladder

[thesaurusgirl]

I am sick to death of Kirstie Allsopp opining on stuff she knows f*ck all about.

Homework, British crafts, feminism, housing social policy. Anecdotes from life are not the same as credibility.

She's just a more upmarket version of Katie Hopkins - will say anything to get her mush on the telly.