To not think 26 is young to be pregnant

[User54047]

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.

I had two by 24. I had first At 22 and didn’t find myself thinking I was too young. Actually pleased I had them when I was younger because I’ve. Got a chronic illness and would never have been able to climb around soft play spaces otherwise known as hell on earth.

I had my first at 30 and I personally felt too young, but I was enjoying my social life etc. I still yearn for it a bit, but it’s potentially more the freedom I miss and lack of responsibility (I have two now!).

I’m not commenting on the OP’s age, but I personally feel that people are ‘younger’ for longer now as the huge milestones enjoyed by our parent’s - buying a home, getting married etc. Generally occur later in life and not in your early 20s.

At 21 I’d just finished uni and then went back to do an MA, so for me having a baby at 26, would have felt like too much of a grown up thing to do. I was in a serious relationship, living together, but neither of us felt ready for that when we were just enjoying traveling and going out.

Personally, I think 26 is a bit too young, but people are twattish to make comments of this nature, it's none of their business.

Do they still use terms like elderly and geriatric in notes for women over 35? Seems very outdated and not a good choice of language, they ought to think of a better term.

I was 21-I now feel that is too young.
My SIL was 37 with her first - she says that's too old (in hindsight)

I don't think age is as important as situation.
26 is just below average for a first time mother anyway.

No it's not young it's just the right age to have a baby

I was 26 or pregnant on first dd and second time at 30.

I had travelled etc, done the wild nights out and done luxurious holidays etc.

At 30 I was classed as an 'older parent'😂

All that matters is that she's happy and seems to be financially secure so why not!

For me, if I hadn't travelled and experienced the world, I wouldn't have felt ready.

I'm starting to think there's about a 6 month gap between when women are considered "too young" and when they're starting to be considered "a bit old" with comments about declining fertility, Down syndrome and not having the energy to keep up with a small child

26 isnt too young, I had my first at 27, didn't feel particularly young at the time though most of my baby group friends were a bit older. The most important thing is that you've found a partner you want to spend the rest of your life with and are financially independent and able to support your child.
I think the average age of first time mother's is increasing so maybe that's why people think it's young but biologically it's a great age to have children

I had 3 by 26 and 4 by 27. I’m happy with when I had them. I had fertility altering surgery at 24 so had I not had biological children relatively young I would have missed that experience.

23 having my first followed by second at 26. Perfect age in my opinion. I am fifty now with an empty nest and plenty of energy left for life and my grandchild.

*My friend had her first at 24. She had her 11th at 43

If she hadn’t if started young. She couldn’t of had her family. (Before anyone judges. Both have very successful own businesses. So don’t have any benefits at all)*

She's not helped the planet/environment

I don't think it's too young but it is unusually young in my world. In my NCT group when we had our first babies, the youngest Mum was just under 30, the oldest was 39. Average age was 33-34.

My friend is about to become a grandma at 57. Now that I do find young! She had her daughter at 27 and that daughter is now 30! Am v excited for her.

DH is 31 and was recently told by a colleague that he is far too young to have children. He looks a bit younger than he is but not much.

People are so full of opinions and none of them usually helpful. Everyone's life is different and we each have our own path. Some are similar to our own so we 'get' it. Sounds like people are just sticking their nose in where it isn't wanted.

I'm only two years older and TTC and if you ask my mother in law we're probably about 3-5 years too late in starting this journey.

Hope she has a healthy pregnancy x