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Original poster

To not think 26 is young to be pregnant

190 replies

User54047 · 08/02/2020 18:55

My friend has recently announced that she’s pregnant. I’m delighted for her however she’s getting a lot of comments from people saying she’s too young and that she will regret it when she’s older. She’s recently brought a house with her partner and both have stable jobs.

OP posts:
rumandbiscuits · 08/02/2020 19:47

I was pregnant when I was 24 and although most people didn't outright say it I could tell they thought i was too young. I don't think age matters, it's maturity that matters and whether or not the parents are in a stable state both mentally and financially to bring up a child. In my opinion I was and although I did suffer with PND (don't think this had anything to do with my age) I don't regret it for one minute.

Istillgetjealous · 08/02/2020 19:49

It’s not too young. Younger than average yes but she’s 26, not 16! Gosh people can be so rude.

PumpkinPie2016 · 08/02/2020 19:52

I don't think it's too young. I got married at 25 and was pregnant at 26 with DS being born when I had just turned 27.

My mum got married at 18 and had my brother when she was only 19 - I think that's young but it was right for her/my dad.

3teens · 08/02/2020 19:55

I had 4dc at 26......

teenagetantrums · 08/02/2020 19:58

I had my first at 26 second at 29. Not to young at all. I'm in early 50 now and both my kids finished uni and independent. Best thing l can't imagine being 60 and still dealing with school and uni stuff

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 08/02/2020 19:59

I’d like my children to be a little bit older before having children than 26.

It would likely mean the relationship was an established long term one, job stability and the experience to gain a new job should it be needed., decent savings behind them, travel time etc before settling down.

GardenHeartedDreams · 08/02/2020 20:01

There is a small window between around 28 and 32 when society deems women neither "too young" nor "too old" to have babies. It's basically just another stick to beat us with.

Butchyrestingface · 08/02/2020 20:01

Does your friend look young for her age, @User54047?

alittlechangeofname · 08/02/2020 20:04

Na, I think anything from 23-39 is the ‘normal’ range. But that’s just me 🤷🏻‍♀️

(Not that I judge anyone outside of these numbers, might I add.)

Kwkwjwkek · 08/02/2020 20:10

There’s no right age imo

Atilathehunter · 08/02/2020 20:12

Depends on your circumstances and environment.
Among my friends, most people were well over 30 before starting families. But then, everyone was about 22/23 when we all got our first proper jobs as we all went to university/took gap years etc. So no one had any money at 26 to start thinking abut babies. Plus we were all too busy enjoying ourselves. But I can see that if someone went straight from GCSEs into a job, 10 years in, you could argue that 26 isn’t particularly young.

anon2000000000 · 08/02/2020 20:12

I was 25 when I had my son, I wouldn't have said I was young to have had him.

overnightangel · 08/02/2020 20:13

Oh god is it her again 🙄😴

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3779040-Is-26-considered-young-to-have-a-baby

overnightangel · 08/02/2020 20:14

Maybe your “friend” could read the thread above

wannabeadored · 08/02/2020 20:14

I'm 26 and TTC , I don't feel young.

If anything I wish I had started trying sooner, but I waited until I was married and owned my own house.

BumbleBeeFlower · 08/02/2020 20:14

I'm having my first at 25. I don't think it is too young for me but it does depend on the situation. I have been with my DH for 6 years, married 2 years, both have good stable jobs and we own our own house.
My mum was 26 with her first and 29 with her second so I don't think it is anything out of the norm.

BlueHarry · 08/02/2020 20:17

I was 26, also got told I was young. Probably didn't help that I looked about 14 but a few years of sleepless nights soon fixed that! I don't think it's too young, though it's younger than the national average. It seems like however old you are, you'll get told you're either too young or too old to have a baby by some judgemental so and so, so I don't think you can win on that front (unless you're a man).

NothingTraLaLa · 08/02/2020 20:18

My mum was 26 when she had me, and back then (in the '70s) she was classed as a geriatric mother, apparently.

BusySittingDown · 08/02/2020 20:19

I had my first at 23 and I'm so glad I did. I'm 36 and I'm so happy to have my nappy days behind me. I feel that I'm getting less patient with age and don't think I could cope with sleepless nights and crying now.

lowlandLucky · 08/02/2020 20:21

I got married at 18 and had my first 14 months later, i had my life back by 40

Roodledoodlenoodle · 08/02/2020 20:22

Pregnant at 26 so likely baby born when she’s around/over 27. And her first baby too. Considering a lot of women also plan to have at least 2 children with a couple of years between them then nope, first child at 27 is not that young

Ruddle91 · 08/02/2020 20:24

I was 25 and was by far the youngest mum at my baby groups. Graduate with a decent job started as an apprentice so worked up a bit before grads even start so 🤷🏻‍♀️. Unplanned but had a mortgage and a car paid outright and could afford to go ahead so we did.

lemonysnickett88 · 08/02/2020 20:24

I don't think so either. I was 24 when I had my first, all of my other friends didn't have children until recently though, in the last year or so (I'm now 31). They all did the marriage, mortgage thing.

Catapillarsruletheworld · 08/02/2020 20:26

26 is a good age to have kids if circumstances are ok.

I think I’d have planned to have them around that age ideally. As it was I already had two primary age DC at that age.

NotYourHolidayDick · 08/02/2020 20:28

Where did she bring her house from?