Would you call 22 years old

[Vivana]

Very young to have a baby. Was talking to a friend who said I was to young back then to have a baby at 22 years old. Now early 40s and did not have any more children.

It seems young to me, none of my friends had babies before 30. There's pros and cons to having babies young; you get your 'freedom' back before you are 40, and will be a younger grandparent and maybe more hands on because of it.

I just couldn't have afforded a baby at 22, wasn't very emotionally mature either. Saying that, not sure I'm much better now I'm in my 30s

This person is not your friend

@SnuggyBuggy I have studied, established a fantastic career, move around (including an international move), travelled a lot, had enough time to myself to go out without kids etc all while raising two children. They don’t just end your life somehow.

There is no doubt its going to be harder for most people to establish a good life for themselves whilst looking after small children. Not impossible but harder.

Most people I know who had kids young tended to stay living where they grew up and a lot were in shit relationships. Their lives just seem so small and limited to me, they had no life experience beyond their town and school friends.

I know that sounds really judgemental though, I'm not saying none of these people are happy, I just wouldn't have been happy with that.

I had kids in my 30s, good degree and travelled (no longer have a good job though, so doesn't always work out well.)

However. I live in an area like snuggly describes. Many many people didn't do uni, live in the same area as they grew up or moved her from the next town along and had kids. (But earn more than me now we're one income...)

At times I envy that - their networks and support networks are so close. They have lots of family on tap for if they want to pop to the hospital/hairdrrsser/have a weekend away. There's always lots of grandparents at the school plays. Often they travel but with the family (admittedly florida/ all inclusive in spain etc ) as grandparents may contribute. Or its the haven/butlins lot. But again theyre3 happy.

Where Ive fallennout of the typical middle class lifestyle and I'm the odd one out here I do see the advantages to the world snuggly puts down.

Yes you were young but I think 22 seems younger now as young people are less likely to be financially independent etc at that age now.

Yes it would be too young to my mind. I was the youngest of my friends to have a baby - I was 30!

It depends on your circle I think. My mum was married at 19 and had us soon after. We spent our early childhood living on a council estate and this was the norm for many. I know it works fine for a lot of people but it's not something I'd want for my DC and I'm glad my mum recognized this and encouraged her children in another direction.

Young but not too young if the parents feel ready.

Not everyone wanted global travel and again twenty years ago it was more expensive, not as safe for women and a lot more hassle to organise

Just wanted to say something about this. 20 years ago was the year 2000, not the dark ages. I went travelling 23 years ago and there were tons of lone female travellers. It wasn't less safe and it wasn't that difficult to organise, even without the internet.