Kirsty Allsopp says ditch university and have baby by 27

[Prettyinbeige]

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jun/02/kirstie-allsop-young-women-ditch-university-baby-by-27

I know it's different for everyone but I completely agree with this article.

For me having my son at 22 was the best thing I ever did. It made me a much stronger and more confident person, which then in turn has helped me in pursuing a career and building a life for us.
I think I would have found things a lot harder if I had built a career and a life to then have to sacrifice it in order to have a baby.

I also understand in some cases it isn't possible for people to have children before a certain age. But I guess what I'm saying is I see some sense in what Kirsty is saying

It's a completely twatty article.

That is all.

Mmm. I see that, duck, but honestly, isn't it clear from her posts as a whole she is expressing an opinion? She has repeatedly acknowledged others may not have the same experience, and only once said Kirsty makes some sense. That's hardly laying down the law (and I say that as someone who disagrees with her and Kirsty).

At 27 I had just moved countries, had and knew no-one, lived in shared accommodation and was as far away from even thinking about children as you can get…

If we all followed what biology intended we should have our kids between 15 and 20, take a younger lover (to teach him the ropes ) when we are 30ish (because our own children will then be having children), be wise old crones by 40 and dead by 45

I much prefer to have had my last child just before my 44th birthday although I can appreciate it's not everybody's choice.

LRD, stop it now, stop being all reasonable!!

I posted a link to an article that I thought was interesting.
It particularly struck a chord with me as I had prioritised having children above all else when I was younger.
I have no issue with how others have prioritised their own lives I was just interested to see the response to the article.
I am not ageist or insecure. I just think it's great to see women discussing the ways they have juggled their careers/children/lives in different ways and how it has worked out for them

Hmm

Doesn't she come from a wealthy background?

All well and good if you come from privilege (eg connections, networks, 'gifts' etc)

But if you are ordinary and have nothing of this sort I think this sort of message is dangerous.

Having children young without an education/career/training is a poverty trap.

To be honest, having children at all when you are 'ordinary' has the potential to be a poverty trap!

I think she is very ignorant to be spouting opinions like this around

I haven't once said everyone should do what I did I have shared my experience and have read everyone else's experiences with great interest

Sorry!

She has just tweeted she was on newsnight.

As someone who did ditch the degree and have two kids by 27, I disagree with her 'advice'. Unless you are very well-connected many career doors are shut to you unless you have that 2:1, not just in terms of getting a job in the first place but then in progressing through a meaningful career. It is frustrating and humiliating and saps self-esteem.

I'm about to (re)start my degree. It's going to take me 4-5 years. Oh how I wish I'd just done it when I didn't have to worry about bills or childcare and could dedicate my entire week to studying if I'd felt like it.

And I have a good job...

I usually like Kirstie Allsopp but this time I wish she would shut her mouth.

I'm 37 and desperate to have a baby, I've wanted children since my 20s but there is no man on the horizon for me, nor has there been for a long time - it's not that simple to 'just have a baby'!

Plus I couldn't afford it NOW and I've been to uni (as an older student).

You know, Kirsty really should butt out on this matter, I agree and her politics make me - in fact I still haven't got over her arrogance on the matter of people affected by floods. But it isn't on to have a go at her size, or else you might as well buy your size 18 judgypants from the same outfitter that she does. And I actually rather like her style, even though I never wear a skirt, myself. I even love the fact that she feels no pressure to "deal with" her bit of a moustache - I appreciate that as a fellow hairy, dark haired woman.

My SIL had her children in her 20s, but she also fitted in a degree and the start of a career that she could easily go part time in. Also got the house. It's worked out great for her and DB. I'm sure they wouldn't have it any other way.

I had my dcs at 34 and 40. I had a degree, Masters, and was well established in my career so that I could go part time on double the equivalent salary that I had in my 20s. It's worked out great for us. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Fine for Kirstie to have an opinion (although the fertility falling off a cliff thing has little evidence to support it), but there are so many variables to consider when deciding the best time for an individual couple to start a family (always assuming it's something you can or do decide).

I think she has fair point. I do think people (both sexes!) should consider having children when they're in their 20s, especially as we'll be working until we're pushing 70. Though I felt pressured not to have children straight after Uni as none of my mates did (they still don't...prolonged youth syndrome) so i spent the time travelling/buying a house, which I don't regret at all.

I'm 32 and don't feel ready for a baby yet. Oddly enough seeing Kirsty out with her children contributed to putting me off

Why Cheapbread?

I've not really come across any arguments for me having dcs in my 20s that resonate with me tbh.

Pacific, I might have starting having a family relatively late, well into my 30s, but I'm 44, now, and the thought of having a newborn makes me want to run away and cry rather a lot. I have health issues now, though, on top of kids with their own issues, that all together make me realise that I was right to have a stab at a career, before kids.

Its appalling advice, a fast track to poverty and/or dependency. I don't know why her witterings are getting such attention.

You did say "I completely agree with this article" op.

If you have them young you could get on with career etc between 30-70, imagine shared leave and no women dropping out of the workplace. I agree with previous posters saying that uni is wasted on 18 year olds ( i was one) but I didn't want children until I was in my late 20s. However I think if it was 'the norm' I would've done - It's DIFFERENT for everyone, and that's a good thing.

ouryve, oh, I know what you mean and sometimes I'd want to run screaming for the hills - I just meant it's preferable to the stone-age version of dead-by-45 . I know I am extremely lucky to have the family I have and I love them dearly, but yes, 10 years earlier would've been nice.
Shame DH was not on the scene then...

Am I not allowed to agree john?

I went to Uni and was 25 when ds was born, it wasn't a life plan, just the way things worked out because I met dh at 19. It's different for everyone .

Er because in your last few posts you said you don't believe in telling people what to do - (which is great) but actually if you "completely agree" with the kirsty article you do think young women should ditch uni and have kids young.

Which is it?

There is a difference between saying "dont leave it till the end of your thirties until you have babies" and saying "ditch uni". It is ill adviced to suggest people just go have babies before education. Yes, it has worked for some, but so what? Do we really want a generation of uneducated mothers with difficulty getting both education and on the career ladder because of some posh woman who has made her fortune on ditzy pastels and twee household goods say so?

I think she wants a generation of cupcake baking pin money women staying home baking and buying her stuff.