To ask if you think 24 is a young Mum?

[Cleo2628]

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

Lovely age to become a mum, I expect younger than most mums these days, but I wouldn’t say you were too young. Many congrats on your baby.

I think it's going but it's very normal for my area (and younger!!) To the extent I'm older at starting at 30! In the professional area I used to live In I was the youngest at 30!!

A friend had hers at 20 and 22 and although I wouldn't have wanted to do that she's now free to have a career and travel etc while I'm still parenting.

And see grandchildren earlier!

Depends on your circle...I don’t have any friends who had a child before 27 so yes, for me it’s very young but that doesn’t mean it’s a problem.

I was 24 when I had my first (I'd been married for two years by this point). 26 when I had my second. I'm a professional (had been to uni, got a degree and a professional job). Both my children are now in professional careers of their own.

So no, it's definitely not a 'young mum'. I was actually the oldest of my peer group to have children, as I'd been to university before getting married 🤷‍♀️ I'm very glad I had them in my twenties...I had much more energy then...even whilst holding down a very demanding job! I was most definitely not young at 24 (although on MN threads this is often considered young...not sure why!)

I was 23. I think it depends on the person. I think I'm doing a good job

I used to think that was far too young - for me anyway, as was working hard in professional career and enjoying travelling etc at that age.

Having delayed motherhood until 38 and 39y, I now wish ( in my late 40’s) that I had started a family much earlier - I think would have had more energy, and far less worries about staying healthy and being still around to support my children as they are older. Partly as did not meet dh until 30’s - but we didn’t hurry, to say the least!
I also had a rather unrealistic idea that once I had reached senior level in career, then we would have sufficient funds for childcare and less pressure in children and work clashing....can’t think why, as this has not been the case at all.

My parents had me at similar late age, which has meant my children only knowing elderly, unwell 2 grandparents, and the others dying before they were born. It’s also led to me having the worst possible combination of ridiculously busy and high pressure job, small children, elderly/ill parents (who live 50 miles away) to partly care for...and the menopause to deal with all at the same time...

I will be strongly encouraging my children (esp dd) to consider mid-20’s if they do want a family. My sister did this and has certainly had a much better quality of life and more time with her children when young than me.
Appreciate my situation may not apply to everyone, and that some have later families due to fertilty issues etc.

Yes I'd class you as a young mum, but I don't attach a negative connotation to the phrase.

Had my first baby at 23 and felt waaayyy too young to be responsible for a small being 😂 I always got told I looked to going to be her mum which was fairly annoying..

Personally for me yes - too young. If the woman was ready and wanted one though - fair enough.

No.

I think in current terms it's considered young because women are having children later in general, but I think it's a great age to have children. Have them around that age and you have a lot of life left to enjoy once they have gone to uni/got jobs etc, and have energy and youth to make the most of any grandchildren.

We are all young mums in our family. Great to be free of child responsibilities in your early 40s.

No, i don't think so.

well, yes it is young... but so what? if you are mature and responsible enough then it is irrelevant. I was 23 when I had my daughter. my mum was 19 when she had me. It is entirely up to you what age you have a child. well, within reason obviously.
in this day and age, 23 is young, with some women waiting until their 40s. but not that many years ago, your 20s was, and i believe biologically still is, the best time to have children. your body is at its strongest.

24 young? No I think 15 is a young mum but I had my first child at 24 so no not young to me.

If you are ready you are ready

I was 22 with my first and 23 with my second. It is young, but really doesn't stop you living. I started up a business young, became a very well known designer and earn in the top 1%. Having kids at a young age doesn't stop you being a success. You just need to have the energy and determination to keep going through the exhaustion and stress!

MIL had her four boys by her 21st birthday! It did mean that she was very young as a granny and great fun for my DCs.

Perfect age.
Had my 1st at 23.

Only in the context of people having children later. I think if you're ready, it's the perfect time. Biologically speaking, your body is most ready for having children in your 20s. I'm 24 and if I was in the position to do so, I would love to have a child now! Unfortunately being gay and half way through a nursing degree doesn't lend itself to procreation so I will have to wait another couple of years.

In my circle that was very young. But... I had my first aged 22. Was totally isolated socially and very unhappy it wasn't easy.. Now aged 50, my children are grown, and I am independent with a successful international career. It worked out brilliantly. My friends still have school kids. No one can judge really (and it hasn't stopped my travelling, getting a PhD and experiencing life to the full... although having said that, I am pretty strong minded!!)

I can’t imsginr having baby one in the 40s but lots do and make it work.

Definitely depends on your area and the culture you come from.

Where I come from in the UK, many of my friends and acquaintances have completed their families by my age (32).

Where I have lived since leaving the UK (France and the Netherlands) 10 years ago, it is much more common to delay starting a family; nobody bats an eyelid at my starting mine at this age.

These days, youngish, but I'm jealous I didn't have mine younger! I certainly wouldn't attach a negative judgement to it.

I had my first at 27 but would have been younger if I'd conceived sooner. 24 is young in some parts, I was the youngest mum by a good 10 years in my towns baby groups... but young mum doesn't equal bad mum. The idea that young mum's are too selfish is strange to me, surely the closer you are to 40 the more likely you are to be 'set in your ways' and 'selfish' in that sense.

I think it's young but I was 43, and had had a long career, during which I filled my pension pot, so I can look forward to a secure future. At almost 62, my child is helping to keep me in touch with modern day realities and is a constant source of introductions to art and music I would probably miss otherwise. Late parenthood is good.