Experiences of having children in your mid-20s and mid-30s

[Balancinnng]

Hi, I’d love to hear people’s experiences and perspectives on having children at different ages.

For those who’ve had one child in their mid-20s (around 25) and another later (around 35), what differences did you notice between the two stages of life?

How did your energy levels, mindset, lifestyle, and overall experience of parenting compare? Did anything surprise you the second time around?

I’m also really interested in hearing from people who had a larger age gap between children (rather than the more “typical” 2–3 years). Did it change the dynamic in ways you didn’t expect, either practically or emotionally?

Just looking for honest reflections and different perspectives.

Thanks 🙂

I had my first at 22 and my third at 33.

I found no difference at all in anything, other than I was obviously more experienced the third time.

I had to edit because I completely forgot I had one in the middle when I was 30 🙈😂

🤣🤣🤣

24 and 34, the difference was mind blowing, worked until I went into labour with 24 yr one.
Slept most of 34 one

I also had a couple in between

I've only got the one which I had at 36. I know for a fact that if I'd have been 26 I'd have had way more energy and my hormones probably wouldn't have been so messed up either😬

🤣🤣🤣🤣 and this is where middle child syndrome comes from 😂😂

I've had children in my 20s and 30s.
There was no difference in all honesty.
My pregnancy in my 30s was easier in some ways as I was in much better shape.

My smallest age gap is 2.5 yrs.
Biggest is 10 yrs.
Personally I found the children's personalities we're the determining factor as to how easy it was.

Theres no perfect age to have a baby and theres no perfect age gap.

I had my children at 27, 30 and 35

In terms of pregnancy i didnt find it any harder / more tiring 3rd time around. Though i was much less sivk than with previous 2 pregnancies so that probably helped.

Newborn slerp deprevation i founf so much harder (and he didnt sleep through for 2 years) and i feel much more tired at the end of the day, less energy for running around with him (am 37 now).

In terms of the age gap it has prod and cons. Currently not loving that he is picking up on lots of phrases my eldest uses that i'd rather he didnt and the older two encourage any naughty behahaviour so i find it harder to parent him than i did the other 2 who were at similar stages together.

I had 2 before I was 30 and was so highly strung and stressed out. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do everything 'right' and felt like I was failing. I tried to continue a university level course and working and house renovations and everything and didn't enjoy any of it!

The one I had mid thirties was a dream. I was so much more chilled and much more confident in my parenting, we had more money, a nicer house and garden and a better job.

OMG, yeah! 😂😂

I'm the youngest of 5 so clearly I made it more about me 🤭

I had my first at 26, second at 29 and third at 34. First and second was a breeze considering both were emergency c sections, third was a planned section but recovery was a bit slower and pregnancy was a bit tougher. I actually felt pregnant third time round unlike the first two times where I just had a bump.
I was more confident third time round although this was the time I struggled with breastfeeding which was surprising but at this stage I hadn’t breastfed for 5 years. I knew each tough stage wouldn’t last long and went from there.
I suppose work wise another maternity leave and having a toddler meant a bit of slow down in progression but I’m making my way back again.

Not much of a difference apart from being busier with the older two in school when the third arrived. Overall a positive experience that I will not be repeating again 🤣

Many people will come on to say they were far more exhausted with the last child when they were 40 compared to the one at 25 but that’s because they have other children to look after! If you have your first in your 30’s or 40’s and you’re in good health it should make no difference!

Excellent 🤣🤣🤣

Why are you asking?

Not me but my mum had her first two children in early 20s, then third child (me!) at 36. She said she was much more relaxed with me and it all just felt a million times easier. She did say the one thing was that advice had changed quite dramatically in the period in between (ie safe sleeping guidance, weaning guidance etc) so needed to get back up to speed on that side of things.

As the youngest child with a large gap between me and my siblings - I love our family dynamic. I have never had an argument or crossed words with either of my siblings - I think as I am so much younger we didn't annoy one another like close in age siblings do.

1st at 23 and 4th at 38. I didn’t notice any difference to be honest.

I know this isn’t exactly what you asked but I had my first at 16 and second at 24.

The realisation that you can just walk around with your baby without everyone judging you and thinking you’re either a piece of shit or the nice ones just pitying you was amazing.

So much easier to just fit in with other parents

I had all my children before I was 30 - last one at 29 and I was definitely more tired than previous pregnancies. I put that down to having 4 other kids to look after though!