What age would you like to have children?

Tebley · 18-10-2015 07:48AM #1

What age do you think would suit you best to have children, and what age would you want to be when you had your last. Assuming of course you want children.

18-10-2015 07:52AM

Had first at 40. Happy with that. Had my fill of late nights, partying and the like, whole new chapter now.

speedboatchase · 18-10-2015 07:55AM

The age isn't important to me (I'm 30), it's more about where I'm at in terms of finances. A few years ago it would've been the end of the world if I had a kid, because there's no way I'd be able to support them properly. But now I'm in a better state financially, so I think it'd be fine.

As for nightclubs etc, got bored of them after a couple of years.

uck51js9zml2yt · 18-10-2015 08:04AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Had first at 40. Happy with that. Had my fill of late nights, partying and the like, whole new chapter now.

So you still had late nights and no sleep

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 18-10-2015 08:32AM

Tebley wrote: »

What age do you think would suit you best to have children, and what age would you want to be when you had your last. Assuming of course you want children.

What do you feel yourself?

Galwayguy35 · 18-10-2015 08:36AM

I'm 40 and ideally would have liked to have them in my 30s but it didn't happen.

If it doesn't happen in the next few years I would consider myself too old, the old man was 57 when I was born and it wasn't an ideal situation having a father who was a pensioner by the time I was 9 years old.

Tebley · 18-10-2015 08:40AM

Jessa Acidic Sonar wrote: »

What do you feel yourself?

The question doesn't apply to me as I don't want children.

Into The Blue · 18-10-2015 08:46AM

we were 34 having the first child.

18-10-2015 08:47AM

Tebley wrote: »

The question doesn't apply to me as I don't want children.

A perfectly legitimate choice.

What age were you when you figured out you don't want children and what age are you now?

jacksie66 · 18-10-2015 08:48AM

This post has been deleted.

corks finest · 18-10-2015 08:49AM

Tebley wrote: »

What age do you think would suit you best to have children, and what age would you want to be when you had your last. Assuming of course you want children.

Hi,I had my children whilst v young,19/20,had 6 by the time I was 25, ,startling at 1981,great joy,but great hardship,when things were v tight,had to leave for UK etc,for bobs,too much financial strain on a young couple, hindsight I should have got my mickey Joe cut off,,,any at 56 and now with a 12 ,nearly 13 year old,I've a more mature outlook,we get on fine,moneys still tight,but I cut back,,, so for me a perfect time to have kids would be 40,,,

Sunnyisland · 18-10-2015 08:50AM

It's a bit of a catch 22 situation , If you have your children to young you loose for the most part some of the best days potentially in your life, if you have them to old it's the same situation, Suppose 27 to 30 be the best age ? I myself had our first child when I was 22, I have no regrets as it has worked out fine.

monkeysnapper · 18-10-2015 09:03AM

We had ours in our mid Thirty's and I'm happy with that choice . we had our wild days and had house set up . we now have 3 children , 1 over what we planned ...... Whoops ..... But 40 now and happy out .. .. Ages 6/3/1 and its a mad house......exactly the way I like it !!! Plus 2 dogs :0)

pow wow · 18-10-2015 09:06AM

In number terms probably around 30 though around then I wasn't in the right place in my life to have a child. Now I'm ever so slightly beyond 30 and the clock is ticking I just need to find a nice guy and oversome some reproductive issues

Much like most things in life what you'd like to happen and what actually happens are two different things!

Gongoozler · 18-10-2015 10:32AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

A perfectly legitimate choice.

What age were you when you figured out you don't want children and what age are you now?

I also have decided I don't want children. There was no exact time where i decided this, it started with a realisation, around 14 I suppose that I don't have to just because people do. Then in my early twenties it grew into wondering if I would like to, but that idea never really took hold, as I just really don't understand why anybody would want to. Then around 25 / 26 I thought nah I really don't think I want to, like really actively don't want to. So by around 29 / 30 I pretty much made up my mind.

Boards, magazines, media, television etc have all made me worry that as I get older I'm going to suddenly develop an urge to have to have them, as if my ovaries are going to be pulsating with the need for children. So I'm afraid I'm going to have my mind changed by some biological urge that will appear from nowhere, but logically at least I won't change my mind.

Agricola · 18-10-2015 10:38AM

Ideally before 40 but I think for a guy up to late 40s is ok. My father was 47 when I came along. He was fit and healthy while I was growing up and I never really thought of him as much older than other people parents.

One of my friends got married and started a family at 24. I couldn't get my head around that at the time but seeing him now with his 10 year old shows you how great it is for all involved when the parents are young.

RedXIV · 18-10-2015 10:40AM

I had planned to be very financially stable before I had kids but I had also planned to be a millionaire by the time I was 30

Ended up with 3 kids by the time I was 24, but wouldn't change anything. I don't think I'd be where I am today financially if it wasn't for the panic of "oh Crap, I'm gonna be a dad and this self employment Crap isn't working" I do like the thoughts of being in my early 40s and all my kids being over 18 though

Turtyturd · 18-10-2015 10:48AM

First was born when I was 27 second when I was 31, and if we have any more it'll be in the next year or two. Personally wouldn't like to be heading into my 40's starting/restarting the whole fatherhood process.

Redbishop · 18-10-2015 10:50AM

Wife and I had our first when still at college, both 21 at the time and not married at the time and it was an accident.
Anyway we managed it and have had 6 in total but lost 1. We still talk of him regularly and wonder how he might have turned out.
If we had our choice we probably wouldn't have had 1 so early but having said that we never regretted 1 minute of it.
Good luck to all and hope you all get your choices in family planning, but no matter what happens remember the health, happiness and love of the child is the most important thing in all this, cause while we have choices in this, they don't.

goz83 · 18-10-2015 10:53AM

RedXIV wrote: »

I had planned to be very financially stable before I had kids but I had also planned to be a millionaire by the time I was 30

Ended up with 3 kids by the time I was 24, but wouldn't change anything. I don't think I'd be where I am today financially if it wasn't for the panic of "oh Crap, I'm gonna be a dad and this self employment Crap isn't working" I do like the thoughts of being in my early 40s and all my kids being over 18 though

I could have almost written this.

I was 19 when my first was born. Then number 2 at 23 and was married and all. It made me get myself motivated and we bought a house just before baby 2 was born. Then number 3 and number 4 came along. There was talk of snipping the hulk, but alas, baby number 5 is due next week

Age is irrelevant for the most part If you're mature enough and can support your children, then go ahead and let it flow. That said, I am of the opinion that tipping over 40 and then getting pregnant is a bit too risky. We never planned any of ours, but we are thrilled to have more little personalities in the home.

BattleReady · 18-10-2015 11:00AM

Had our kid when I was 31, which was a perfect age for me. Had done all my travelling and partying. My partner was younger and sometimes feels she might have missed out on on some of the fun stuff

Angry bird · 18-10-2015 11:28AM

Late 20's early 30's ideally. A mix between being more mature, better finances while being young enough to cope with the huge demands children bring.

Rachiee · 18-10-2015 11:34AM

Medically speaking before 35 ids better but I'm 31 now and can't see myself having the money up in time never mind being done with nights out and boozy weekend away I really want kids might try put it off til I'm 37 or 38 but I know it would be taking a risk

Samsgirl · 18-10-2015 11:41AM

I'm 42 with a four year old and soon to be three year old. Am tired all the time, just varying degrees of tiredness. Dreading the hour change this month as they are up by 7 every morning.

Saying that, I wouldn't change it. I did all my going out & travelling in my 20's and 30's. I'm quite happy now to be in my pj's by 8pm and just relaxing.

weemcd · 18-10-2015 11:42AM

27 and nowhere near close.

At a guess around 34~35, I'm still a kid myself ffs!

NachoBusiness · 18-10-2015 11:46AM

50, when I'm a multimillionaire and can pay for a maid, nanny, chauffeur, private schools.

I'd take them out on my yachts and stuff though. Wouldn't want anyone saying I was an absentee father.

eviltwin · 18-10-2015 11:57AM

First at 19, second and last at 32. It wasn't what I'd planned but it was the best timing for us and I still had a life, went travelling, had a social life etc. I had a lot of friends who told me I was mad at the time, some of those friends are not facing child free futures so looking at their struggles I feel blessed that having babies was easy for me. I think whatever age you are there are positives and negatives, things you gain and things you miss out on.

Faith+1 · 18-10-2015 12:33PM

Wtf want's kids? Little animals

wakka12 · 18-10-2015 12:35PM

jacksie66 wrote: »

Dont want kids. Dont want to bring more people onto this overcrowded, messed up planet..

Irelands not overcrowded. If you don't want children for humanitarian reasons i.e.. concerning overpopulation then why not adopt a child or two?

wakka12 · 18-10-2015 12:38PM

I wont be finished with college until 25.. then you need to establish some kind of a career..buy a house..meet somebody you'd want to have a family with..then the fact that Im gay just makes things even harder and the process of having children even lengthier, and in some cases not possible. :pac: Wouldnt be surprised if it was in my late thirties or later if it even happens..

Azalea · 18-10-2015 12:38PM

Don't know if I would at all, but if it happened, my preference would be late 30s/early 40s. I know that's risky but it would be the right time in life for me personally. It is on the increase to be fair, with the babies being fine (doesn't change the risk though, I know).
Sigh, if only the biological and the socio-cultural were in tandem with each other.

What age would you like to have children?

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