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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you think 24 is a young Mum?

253 replies

Cleo2628 · 31/05/2018 20:42

just wondering your opinions. I’m 24 with a 7 month old.

OP posts:
greendale17 · 31/05/2018 20:49

Yes in todays world I think it is very young

cadburyegg · 31/05/2018 20:50

The average age to become a first time mum is I think 29? So yes, 24 is young but not that young.

Idontbelieveinthemoon · 31/05/2018 20:50

I had DS1 at 24. At the time it didn't feel young, looking back 12 years on I was young.

However, I had DS2 at 29 and parenting a little boy in my thirties has been different to parenting a little boy in my twenties. I'm so much more tired now, and on nights when DS2 was young and we got very little sleep I really struggled, whereas with DS1 I tended to bounce back much more easily.

Mrsemcgregor · 31/05/2018 20:51

I had my first at 27, but was trying from about 23 so it doesn’t seem young to me.

However now I am 37, 24 seems very young and far away!

Singlenotsingle · 31/05/2018 20:51

I was 26 when ds1 arrived. They called me an "elderly primigravida" in the hospital! So no, you are probably about the right age

DragonMummy1418 · 31/05/2018 20:52

My friend has a 16 and 14 year old now though and is the same age as me and she's starting to get her freedom and independence back at a relatively young age and is building her career now without worrying about taking a break from it. 🤷‍♀️

Rystall · 31/05/2018 20:52

In my social and professional circles 24 would be considered exceptionally young. Don’t think I know of anyone that had children until their 30s

Fibbertigibbet · 31/05/2018 20:52

Younger than I would choose, but certainly not something I'd raise an eyebrow at.

MrsCD67 · 31/05/2018 20:52

Although it is a young age, I think it's a good age too and youth doesn't have to be a negative thing!

TwittleBee · 31/05/2018 20:53

I'm always told I'm "so young" when people discover I'm a mum, I'm also only 24, with a nearly 1 year old. Im also married and a home owner and again people round here (South east) think that's all happened at a young age.

formerbabe · 31/05/2018 20:53

I was 26 when ds1 arrived. They called me an "elderly primigravida" in the hospital!

When was that?! How ridiculous!

kyrenialady · 31/05/2018 20:53

I was 20 with my first and had two by the age of 25.

Wasn't the youngest up school but there was a good mixture of ages. But I live in a deprived town apparently.

Mine are 16 and 11 now and I'm glad I had them when I did.

LeighaJ · 31/05/2018 20:55

I think 24 is fine. Too many people seem to not want to grow up and put parenthood off a bit late which can lead to other problems.

I didn't have mine until 37 but I was done with partying by 26, just hadn't met the right person. So sometimes waiting is just unavoidable. My husband is 27, but was done partying and not interested in a single lifestyle by the time he finished uni.

Drycleanonly7 · 31/05/2018 20:55

I was a first time mum at 41. Do you think that is an old mum?!

BabiesDontNeedDaddies · 31/05/2018 20:55

No. You could have got your degree started your career and bought a house before deciding to start a family at 24

mummabearfoyrbabybears · 31/05/2018 20:56

I was married at 18 and first baby at 22 so doesn't seem young to me Smile. Mind you, four children later and 25 years of marriage I feel OLD!!!

Processedpea · 31/05/2018 20:57

It's great to have a child in their 20s when you're nearly 50 plus I think you or me personally wasn't so hung up on what to do also great being able to concentrate on work for myself with no childcare issues def recommend

ObiJuanKenobi · 31/05/2018 20:57

I'm 24 and have 2 year old twins, we live in a very upmarket area and are professionals and no one has ever referred to me as a young mum - nor would I think it of myself. I would class an under 18 as a young mum, I suppose, but try to just look at motherhood as an even keel across the board in terms of age, class..etc

Rainydaydog · 31/05/2018 20:58

Young, but not too young.

CoodleMoodle · 31/05/2018 20:58

I was 24 when I was pregnant with DD, a few weeks off 25 when I had her. So was DH (he's only a few days younger than me).

This time I'm 29 and it feels no different, really. I've been a SAHM since DD was born, and in the last few months started doing some very part time work at home. I'm happy with the setup!

JoeMaplin · 31/05/2018 20:59

I suppose it does seem young now I have an 18 year old at 42!!

CopONNotLinkedIn · 31/05/2018 20:59

I disagree with advice to build up yr career first. That means you are out of the office in your mid 30s ish, with young kids at 40ish.

I think if you can leave yr kids to walk home from secondary school on their own before ur 40 then ur in a strong position and motivated too.

tenbob · 31/05/2018 21:00

I was 26 when ds1 arrived. They called me an "elderly primigravida" in the hospital

That must have been a mistake or misunderstanding because the medical definition of elderly primigravida is 35+
Unless you're not in the UK

24 is very young for my area.

CopONNotLinkedIn · 31/05/2018 21:00

I mean i disagree that it is the only way.

wovendeckchair · 31/05/2018 21:01

Yeah, a little bit but totally depends on your set up and support you have to get back to work, establish a career if that's your plan.

i'd say 28-33 was the norm in my social circle for first child, we all wanted to have a few years to establish ourselves in our profession.

At 24, i was still very much in my "amazed i'm still alive given how reckless i am" phase, drinking too much and other stupid stuff.

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