Older dads

[Zarawantsababy]

So we are currently ttc, i am raring to get going (I have a beautiful 8yo daughter) sooooo ready for number 2! But my partner has taken alot of reassuring to get on board (he doesn't have any children) besides the usual worries, he has mentioned a few times about being an older dad... he is 44 (yes there is an age gap) he has always wanted children of his own and is beyond amazing with my daughter, his god children, neices, nephews etc but has never been with 'the right person' does anyone have any advice or anything that i can say to reassure him further? I know he will make an amazing father and he is so excited but so scared at the same time ☺ many thanks xxx

My dp was 43 when he had our first he’s now 46 and we’ve got 2 Don’t get me wrong, he’s knackered but he’s a great dad. He can’t wait to do things like teach them about nature and show them his very cool job and play football etc as they get older. An excuse for him to be a kid again.

It’s scary at any age but tbh any younger and my dp would have been no where near as good a dad As he is now - he was a later starter maturity wise!

My DH was 44 when we had DD. Sure he gets tired but no more than every parent.

In fact I think you have more stamina in a lot of ways when you're older.

My husband is 44 and we have a 1 year old. TBH I never thought of him as an 'older dad' so never really considered his age before in relation to his parenting abilities. If anything he is more patient, calmer, wiser, relaxed, selfless than he would have been 10 yrs ago. Same goes for me as a slightly older mum.

What he might lack in stamina he'll make up for in patience, life experience, and ability to reassure and work together with you. Best of luck!

Thankyou so much for all your comments, I will add i dont have an issue with his age, i had my daughter young (well I felt young at 23) but bless him he turned round to me and said he is scared of being 'grandad at the school gates' and no matter what I say to him he obviously has that insecurity. I wish he could see what I see and how amazing he will be as a father and how much love he has to give ❤ xx

My husband was 42 almost 43 with our first, 45 with our second and will be 47 with our 3rd. Totally get the reservations some may have but you have to do what’s right for you and what makes you happy... oh and to date he’s not been mistaken for grandad 😂 xx

And honestly, I don't know where you are in the country, but at our NCT group (South London) I was the youngest dad there at 30. Majority were late 30s and I think three were mid 40s. School gates definitely won't be an issue!