If you're a parent of tweens or teenagers and in your mid-late 50s/early 60s, how is it?

[WorriedMummy2020]

Just that really. I'm 43 with one 8 and one 4 year old. We're wanting to try for a 3rd imminently (using frozen embryos from a previous IVF cycle). My DP is 42.

To those of you who had babies around my age and are now 10-18 years down the road, how is it, being an older parent of kids this age please?

I can find plenty of positive stories of mums in their late 40s-early 50s parenting younger children but I wonder how things change as everyone gets older. How does menopause and ageing generally affect things? Does a lot depend on your financial and health situation? Do you work, and do you earn a good salary ?

Would love to hear your thoughts please!

Thanks

I am 62 with a 19 year old .... personally I think I have been much better as an 'older' parent than if I'd had my DS when I was younger. (Only child by choice and nothing to do with my age).

I had a very 'easy' menopause which had no impact on my health at all, financially we are comfortable and I was able to be a SAHM (by choice) until DS was 12 and now work part time.

Teenage years are challenging - whatever age you are, but for me, it was easier as I wasn't having to juggle my career at the same time.

I am 62 with an almost 20 yr old. Honestly it has been great. He is my 4th child, with a 20 yr age gap, so like an only child really.
I have had no issues through the teenage years, he is lovely to be around. We have a great relationship and get on really well [ I have been single since he was 10 ].
I work full time on minimum wage and have struggled at times, but we have got through it.
For me it has been tiredness as I get older, but it has never stopped us doing lots of things and travelling as and when I could afford it.

Ragwort and Londonnight thanks for your replies.

I guess menopause feels like a huge unknown but I guess it's tricky whether you have younger kids or older ones as they're all tiring and challenging in their own ways.

Another thing that comes up a lot on here is kids feeling embarrassed by their older parents simply because of their age. Is that something you've encountered please? Or do all kids find their parents embarrassing??!

Anyone else please?

I am 51 and my youngest is 6. My now 16yr old DD was mortified when I was pregnant with my youngest. She changed her tune when her friends were all excited. I am older than all the mums at his school. I should add my eldest is 24 and when I had him I was one of the youngest mums.

I havent morphed into a pop sock wearing granny and get on well with the school parents. I dont have the same time I had with the older DC, my work is more intense as I am senior, weekends are shared out with all the DC and therefore taking off down to the park on a bike isnt an option. However that would be the case if I was in my 30s with DC with differing needs.

I do work as does my DH and we have a good joint salary, both have good pensions too.

I think all kids find their parents embarrassing whatever their ages . It's just a phase they go through, I can remember being the same about my own parents ... they are still alive in their late 80s and still embarrass me at times .

Thanks picosandsancerre and I'm glad to hear it is all working out for you. You have a much bigger age range than we would have too so you give me hope.

WorriedMummy2020 we thought we had finished with #3 so were a little surprised to find i was pregnant with #4. There is a 7yr gap between #4 and #3. He was a welcomed addition and I had a lovely year off work and made the most of it too. Your kids will be closer in age, your #3 will fit nicely with your youngest going to school so could work really well. Good luck with it all....

It really depends on lots of factors: if your health and your dcs health is good; you don’t have a bad menopause; your relationship with your dp is sound; they aren’t difficult teenagers; your finances mean you don’t have to work pass your natural ability or inclination to fund dcs. Then probably having a late baby will not be problematic.