Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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.