Is there really a good (or bad) time to have a baby? Is having them young better or having them older better?
There are arguments for both.
EG, having them a bit older (eg 40 to 43 ish,) has its advantages - like you have probably gotten to a good place in your career, paid off some of your mortgage, got yourself (relatively) financially secure, and would have done lots of the stuff you wanted to do (incl lots of travel.)
However, there's being more tired and weary as you get past 40 to consider (and you DO, so please don't deny it,) and having a small (junior school age) child to look after/contend with when you're knocking the door of 50, will be no picnic.
An older mother will have much less energy than her younger counterparts, and may eventually need care when that child is still quite young - like only in their 20s. (Or will be more likely to die, leaving a very young adult without a mother..) Again, don't deny this, because it IS more likely than if a woman has children at a much younger age than 40.
However....... Having kids a a rather young age can also cause problems. Like I know several women whose mother who had them at 17-19, and now these young women have a baby, their mothers are only in their early to mid 40s, and now work full time, and are not there for their young adult daughters, to help them with their baby.
Not saying that is the role of women/mothers to be babysitter and home-help for their daughters, but it's nice if they ARE there if/when needed, at least some of the time. Much younger mothers are also likely to be less tolerant, and less financially secure, and her children will often have less opportunities than those with older mothers.
Personally, I think the ideal age to have your first baby is 30-32.
Also, it's ridiculous to suggest that having a baby young won't affect a woman's life, career opportunities, and things she can do. Yep you can go on holiday with kids - obviously - but you can't go TRAVELLING with them. (Not properly.)
You always get the 'I had 2 kids by 19, but did a degree at Oxford, and built a multi-national company by the age of 25' type comments on this type of thread.
Fact is, for the vast majority of young women who become a mother young (like under 22,) that is not the reality. A life of drudgery and wifework is the most likely scenario. Admit it or not; it's still true.
Funnily enough, I have never known one single woman who had babies really young, and then went on to achieve high academic qualifications, and build a very successful career (or build a massively successful business.) I know some claim in on here, but in real life, I have yet to meet one.
And completing a couple of Learn Direct courses, and being an Avon Lady doesn't count... 