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Original poster

Is 24 too young to settle down with a baby

338 replies

Stressedout65 · 12/02/2022 21:32

I know it depends on each individual, how they feel & what they want from life, but would you say 24 is a bit young these days

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 12/02/2022 21:33

Yes; go see the world and do stuff before that

Maui69 · 12/02/2022 21:33

I wouldn't say it's too young no.

GeneLovesJezebel · 12/02/2022 21:33

Yes, travel and have fun first.

MartinMartinMarti · 12/02/2022 21:34

Would have been far too young for me - it would have wiped out the years I zoomed up in my career, meaning that when I did have DC I had money, professional reputation and flexibility behind me.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 12/02/2022 21:34

I’d say it’s a little young to have to start being so selfless but each to their own.

Happierthanever91 · 12/02/2022 21:34

No not at all. I was pregnant with my first at 23 and I regret absolutely nothing. It was right for me and I guess it's completely dependant on the individual. I'm pregnant with my second now and still happy with my choices

cherish123 · 12/02/2022 21:35

Yes. Brain (frontal cortex) isn't fully developed at this age. I was quite mature at 24 but, in hindsight, I was still a youth. I got married at 27; baby at 30.

BobbyeinArkansas · 12/02/2022 21:35

Imo yes. Travel, get a career underway, get married, buy a house.
I'm just old fashioned.

Stellaroses · 12/02/2022 21:41

I did it and don't regret it but yes, it is young. I had done a lot of travelling, partying and had finished my training so it wasn't the worst thing. However it was hard doing it when all my friends were still carefree. Had married and bought a house together so no financial reason not to. Depends on individual circumstances.

cuno · 12/02/2022 21:44

I think it's too young for most people. But I wasn't much older when I had a baby (26 when I fell pregnant, unplanned), however it really wasn't an ideal age or time for me and I still feel too young now to be a mum. It's not easy.

It's ultimately up to you, and if you really want to settle down and have a baby at that age, that is fine and absolutely your choice. I would certainly not judge someone for having a baby at 24! But by doing so you need to accept how it will affect you, especially financially and your career. And if you don't own a house yet it'll get way more out of reach. I feel like I'll never be able to buy now! Just depends on your priorities really.

LashesZ · 12/02/2022 21:44

Like you said it depends on the individual. I had my first at 23. I was never going to be the type to go on a gap year to Australia and live out of a backpack. I always wanted kids young, I felt my older mum was out of touch with me because of our generational gap. I actually have gone so far in my career because being a mum gave me a feeling of confidence and I feel colleagues found me to be more mature for my age because I was a mum.

Howshouldibehave · 12/02/2022 21:44

I was 25 when we had DC1. We’d had a fair few nice holidays, bought a house and had got married the year before. We’d both done degrees and post grad (me) and MSc (DH) and were working in our chosen careers, so no particular reason to wait.

If I hadn’t got a degree and established work wise or got a mortgage, I wouldn’t have done it then.

cuno · 12/02/2022 21:45

I said I was 26 when I fell pregnant, should have said 25. I gave birth just after I turned 26.

Hbs21 · 12/02/2022 21:45

I don't think it's too young but I got married and had my first child at 24. I'm nearly 27 now and I've got my second child on the way and I'm happy with my choice. Everyone is different and does things at their own pace and in their own time.

Hankunamatata · 12/02/2022 21:46

Really depends on what you want and where you are in life. I graduated 21 worked on my career, married at 24 and baby at 26. I had 5 years settled in my career and went back full time for two years after that. I do wish we had travelled more and not been so focused on getting house before having a baby but that's life

Kenworthington · 12/02/2022 21:46

It wasn’t too young for me. I met my dh at 21, had our first ds at 23, married at 24. We have been together over 25 years now

Ohdoleavemealone · 12/02/2022 21:47

I was 23 and looking back it was a little too young.

Jurassiclover · 12/02/2022 21:48

I've got a 6mo and am turning 25 this year, I dont feel it's too young personally.

Me and DP have a home together, we both work full time in stable jobs, I have a degree, have money in savings.

Personally I think your maturity level and your life circumstances matter more.

Some people would feel 'too young' at 24, some can still feel 'too young' at 34, whereas others can feel ready and have the right circumstances at 20

22Giraffes · 12/02/2022 21:48

Nope not for me, I had 2 kids by 24. Don't regret it at all.

Hmum0fthree · 12/02/2022 21:50

Depends on the person my sister is 29 no children and my cousin is 26 she has three happily married SAHM.

LittleBearPad · 12/02/2022 21:50

Yes it’s too young. Especially after the last two years there’s a big world to go and see and it’s a lot easier and cheaper without children.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 12/02/2022 21:50

I was 25&26 when I had DDs. Since then we've moved around Europe, bought houses, been on holidays, had fun... just with kids in tow.

Our life would have been different without them... but its impossible to say whether it would have been better or worse.

HerRoyalHappiness · 12/02/2022 21:51

No its not and yes it is
.
I was 17 when I had DS1 and had 2 more by the time I was 24.
I dont regret a thing and had I waited to have my kids I'd have never had them as I'm now disabled and can't have any more kids. I'm 30.

But. My brother is almost 20 and I cant imagine him settling down at 24. My other brother is 28 and he's not ready yet either.

So it really does all depend on the person.

Picklesandbeans · 12/02/2022 21:52

Yes go and travel and have fun!

Benjaminbunnyslettuce · 12/02/2022 21:53

It’s a perfectly fine age to have a child and you are at lower risk of health issues for both you and the child. Twenty four is older than the average age to have a first child in our grandparents time was but I guess it depends on whether you want to travel or have a career etc. Your child would be 16 by the you were 40 so plenty of time to travel etc then if you did decide to have a child although you’d possibly have a bit less disposable income to do so then!