Is 24 considered young to be a mum ?

[newmum10000000]

Or is this an average age?

The average age of a first time mum in the Uk is 29/30

I would say very young. One of my friends had an unplanned pregnancy at 26 and we all thought she was incredibly young to become a mother. It does vary a lot across social groups, though - so hard to say without knowing someone’s particular circumstances.

Under 25 is young mum imo

That isn't what pp said though.

Of course you can enjoy life with DC but it also means that once you have them, you have this huge responsibility and whilst you can obviously do many things with young DC, it isn't the same as doing it without the responsibility they bring as well as the extra money DC cost.

People trying to put it off for as long as they can well into their 30s and beyond because they want to enjoy life isn't the greatest of ideas. And im always seeing it on here. Enjoy life first, make the most of life, career, travel blah blah blah. It's what you make it. It will feel like much more of a slog if you are dreading it and putting it off to have a great life beforehand.

Mostly on mumsnet woman apparently should only have children between the ages of 28-32

If you're ready, you're ready. I wouldn't think too much about age at all. Wish I had mine when I was younger. I got married young and had kids alot later on in my marriage. Ideally, I wanted to be finished having kids by 25. If I had them then, they would now be teens and I'd be able to be doing more than nappies and play dates. It all comes down to how you want to balance your life. And, of course there's never any guarantees

There's plus sides to waiting and having them in your early 20s. Only you can decide whats for the best.

Given the massive difference between what DH and I earned in our early to mid twenties compared to a decade later when we did have children, it would have been a massive slog if we hadn’t waited. I can’t see we could have afforded more than one and still had a comfortable lifestyle or not had huge age gaps between children.

We waited and when I went part time I was still earning considerably more than I was full time ten years earlier and that, combined with the fact we already had our ideal house (nice mortgage as well since we didn’t have dependents to make it unaffordable), meant it was right for us and not a slog at all.

I had my first at 25 but had independently travelled, lived in China and done loads of enriching things beforehand. It’s not that you have to choose life experience over having children in your 20s. It can be done.

Was it about being financially secure then or enjoying your life first?

I had mine between 22 and 25 and always classed myself as a young mum. Doesn't mean I'm not a good one, but no denying it's younger than average and has been for a number of years now. Pros and cons to any age.

I had my baby at 35. I didn't dread it, I just wanted it to be the right time and to be sure I was ready because of what an enormous responsibility it is.

I still enjoy my life now but because of the enormous responsibility, it is different. I'm glad I waited and established my career, travelled etc because doing it with a baby isn't impossible but it's harder and doing those things without a baby to consider is just a completely different experience.

It was definitely the right choice for me.

It's 'young' compared to the average age of first time mums I know personally. It's 'young' compared to the national average. It's 'young' compared to the 24 year olds I know, who are mostly still in the post-uni-fun-early-jobs-flatshares stage.

But none of those things are really relevant. Young in this conversation is often really a stand in for 'not ready, doesn't know enough about life' etc. And I'd think a 30 year old who was irresponsible and financially disastrous and still going out three nights a week was not ready. But a 24 year old who is financially stable and ready mentally.... why not?

Definitely not too young. You’ve been an adult for 6 years, you can do what you want.

Biologically it’s a perfect age.

In terms of lifestyle though, and having had my first at 25, I’d wait until I was early 30’s and relish sleeping when I wanted, leaving the house when I wanted, having money to do what I wanted when I wanted, and travelling to exotic places without screaming DC first but you do you 😂

Biologically, it's ideal. But mid to late 30s is much more common with people I know. Depends on your socio-economic background, and your career priorities.

I had DC 1 at 24, I felt young. That baby turns 18 next week! I'm now 42.
We are very close, I'm glad I had her then. I have a good career (and 2 younger DC) and am super glad I won't be doing nappies at 42 though! Makes me shudder the thought 🤣

No

It worked out really well for me because I spent my 20s concentrating on the baby-preschool years and then I've been able to focus on my career in my 30s without having to worry about needing to take time out for maternity leave. You do what works best for you.
There is a lot to be said for this approach. It's generally easier to conceive in your 20s than 30s. Younger usually means more energy and a better ability to cope with broken sleep. I think you made a smart decision.

The average age does seem to be getting older, however I think the ‘right’ age is dependent upon someone’s individual circumstances. I wasn’t ready in my 20’s I was working on my career, building a home and life experiences (holidays etc.) I had my kids in my 30’s. This is not right or wrong, just what was right for me.
My advice would be to stop worrying about what is considered average or thought of as young and do what’s right for you.

My daughter was 27 when she had her daughter and is graduating for her MA as social worker in July! So my answer is that having a child in your 20s doesn’t automatically stop you from getting a decent job .
Also on the plus side my granddaughter has grandparents who are still physically well and able to be a big part of her life .

Depends on your socio-economic background, and your career priorities.

Not entirely, there will be correlations for sure, but I'm very much a "middle class" career orientated, well earning (and university educated) woman, who chose to have children young. And I have a number of friends and family who also opted to have children younger c25, I would say geography is more noticeable for me, I'm from a cheap area where home ownership is achievable younger than average, I felt entirely juvenile as a mother working in London, I was the office oddity

It's definitely young. 30 is the average nationally,
There will also be regional averages. 24 is not young in my area.
I know at least 4 people that have 3 children under 3 yearsby the time they are 24.

To me 24 is not young.

Oh and I'd been in the military, had loads of casual jobs and travelled Australia and SE Asia before getting pregnant at 24 😁 I was at uni and took 18 months out when I had her, then went back and finished my degree.

yes too young

@sunshineandtea it's common to have children younger within the military community in my experience, I think the financial stability of housing is a big reason for this, interestingly.