Unhelpful newspaper articles slagging off older mums

[coastalchick]

In the last few days I’ve had several articles pop up on my FB newsfeed criticising women close to/over 40 for having children.

Is anyone else sick of this? It’s oftentimes not a bloody choice - certainly wasn’t for me - I’d been engaged and due to be married at 30 but my then fiancé ran off with someone else and it took me 6 years to meet someone else. I’m now 39 and due with my first but according to the media, I’m selfish for having a baby this late. Sod the fact this baby is wanted more than anything else, my now fiancé will be the most amazing dad, we have a lovely home, stable careers. If I’d had kids with the other one I reckon he’d have been a crap father and would’ve left!

Society seems to expect us to have met the perfect life partner, have strong careers and our own home, all in time togave kids before 30. It’s not realistic. But what boils my blood the most is that the articles are aimed at women - it does take two to make a bloody baby!!!

I think it is just part of the whole women bashing for certain sectors of the media.

I haven't seen any articles bashing women for having babies 40+. I have seen articles warning women of the possible dangers of waiting too long. Yes we all know people who had babies in their 40's and everything was easy and perfect (eye roll) BUT there are just as many women who struggled or missed the boat completely and this needs to be talked about too.

Promoting all the good stories without mentioning the bad stories is highly irresponsible. Frankly it annoys me that people insist on poo pooing all the professional advise because it offends them.

I was 21 having my first baby, trust me young mothers get just as much judgement if not more. It really annoys me when people spout crap like older mothers are better mothers because of financial means, more patients etc. This is just not true. My child wanted for nothing and I had all the energy in the world for him. Older mothers might have more money but no one will ever convince me that you have just as much energy in your 50's for your pre-teen child as you do in your 30's.

There's pro's and con's to both and we all have our reasons for having our children when we do. If you don't like the articles then don't read them.