How would you compare being a mom at a young age to being a mom at an older age?

Question

If you had a child at a young age and a child when you were older, how do you compare?

Answer 1

I just read a great article on this in BabyTalk magazine. It is available online at: http://www.parenting.com/parenting/babytalk/article/0,19840,1328888,00.html

Hope this clears some things up! There are pros and cons to both sides so don't feel inadequate for being either of them!

Answer 2

A Child Having A Child Isn't Right, But Things Happen. Having A Child At A Young Age Makes That Child Grow Up To Quickly, Takes Away Their Life, And It Sumtimes Messes With Skool. Also, The Mother May Have To Raise The Child Alone, B/c The Dad Got Scared And Ran Off. Having A Child At An Older Age Is So Much Better, Because Atleast You Are Married Or Getting Married, Or You Have A Job To Support The Child, And A Steady Home For The Child, And You Have All The Luv In The World For That Child! I Was Young When I Had My First Child, And Believe Me It Made Me Grow Up So Quick, That My Childhood Is Now Over!

Answer 3

Hopefully when you parent at an older age than from late teens or early twenties you have acquired much more patience and understanding. Hopefully you have developed a sense for respect for the tiny human you created. Some women a rare few were blessed like this from the beginning others it took years to develop. And the poor children that came from that early mom aged up bringing. Reason to believe some kids today have no respect or morals for anything due to the parent getting pregnant only because they wanted sex not a child, then became stuck with a child when they are still immature rebels themselves, only thinking about themselves and no one else.

Answer 4

I was 16 when I had my daughter 20 when I had my son and 32 when we started fostering 38 when we adopted a 6 yr old. The only difference is I kind of grew up with my two kids and I am going to be a little too old to do some of the things with our newest addition than I did with the other two. I have more patience now than I did when I was younger but I wouldn't change the fact that i had my kids at a young age. As long as you are ready to be a parent it doesn't matter how old you are.

Answer 5

Ok, first of all, PRAY about when to become a parent before you become a parent if you have the choice. God gave me good parents and used them to make me just who I am today- just who He wants me to be today!

I am a child (now adult) from a young Mom and Dad (19 and 20 when I was born) and my brothers were all born 11, 13 and 15 years after me. The parents I had were completely different than my brothers parents (same people, different perspectives and priorities).
When I was growing up things that my parents saw as important were different than they are now.... for example:, A) I was a nominee for Home Coming Queen and my Mom was "too busy to be bothered with silly things like that" but now they see the importance of supporting your kids in things like that and they go to the boys events all the time. B) My brothers get help w/ homework that I didn't and are all on the honor roll even though we all have dyslexia (I struggled in school alone and did poor, my brothers have help and succeed!). My parents were interested in my life don't missunderstand, but they were not aware of how to be involved in ways that would support me and build me like they do now. I had good parents, they did their best, but................
my parents are MUCH BETTER parents to my brothers than they were to me. I think, because they are more mature, have their lives better in order than they did when I was little...
My Mom is my best friend, and always has been, but I sometimes wish they were more like the parents they are now back then.
I always wanted to be a young Mom b/c my family has nothing but young Moms...My daughter has a Great Great Grandmother who is still alive and living on her own- that's how young all the Mom's in my family are- except me. I waited and feel more mature and ready to raise children. I'm glad I waited!

Answer 6

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking a comparison on, as the youngest with sisters 8 and 11 years my senior and having two teenage stepsons and considering starting another "brood" with hubby, I have often worried about how the older ones perceive the parenting of the younger, like I "practiced" on them to perfect things and that I'd be easier on the younger one(s). My older sisters always were (and still are) jealous of me and I've never fully understood it, some things were better for them as kids and others were better for me, it was situations that partially couldn't be controlled but I don't think that any of us were favored more.... ....my biggest advice: be leery of using too much help from older siblings in babysitting, a sibling needn't feel like they do more raising or discipline than a parent. If they WANT to do it, or are paid, it is different. It shouldn't be expected of them.

Answer 7

I had my son at 20 and am pregnant right now(21) with my second. I don't think it is necessarily about age, but about your ability to raise a child. There are pros and cons of having children too early, and some for having them too late too. Some of these are medical, those are more cut and dry as far as possible problems. Some of them have more to do with your experience and the way you raise them, are able to interact with them, how you support them financially, and even discipline. One thing that i have noticed with my aunts and uncles is that they had their children in late 30s, early 40s, and were so used to being the "fun" aunt or uncle that their disclipline skills were not so good and the children are just plain wild. With younger people, they some don't have enough experience or resources to be as effective as they want. There are tons of differences, i'm sure, too many to cover here.

Answer 8

I'm probably the perfect person to answer that question. I am 49 and I have a 26, 24 and a 9 year old. I had my first child at 22 and my last one at 40. All boys.

The first time around, I was concerned with how they dressed, their hair cuts, what others thought and how clean they kept their rooms. I made sure they always did thier homework and behaved exceptional, no matter what. Everyone always told me what nice boys they were. On the inside, they were miserable. I threw away their toys before they were ready and never let them collect junk. I didn't let them have a bunch of friends over because I didn't want a messy house. I made them play outside.

When they got into high school, I didn' know their friends. That was a BIG mistake! They always went to their friends houses to hang out, because I never let them hang out at our house.

This time around, I let my son wear what he wants, I let him grow his hair long and I always let him have his friends over. I'm being stricter, though, with making him stick with music, because I know he'll thank me for it later. I don't stress over homework because I know it doesn't make that much difference and I let him enjoy his time after school with his friends because I know that does make a difference.

Sports, I think they mostly stink. The team ones anyway. It's all about the Dad's and the size of their penises. He plays, but only the ones he wants to and only as long as he wants to. Tennis, Surfing, that kind of thing. None of this competive, traveling, All-Star crap! Don't buy into that! It's all about the Dads!

Answer 9

i had my first at 18 and we pretty much grew up together. i just wish i had worked through all my head trips before i had kids. but everything has worked out. i had more patience with my second and i was 25. i promised myself i wouldnt have any children after the age of 30 and i havent and i cant because i tied my tubes. i guess i wanted to make sure. but its hard being a parent at any age. im glad i did it young-it worked for us. im older and have numerous health issues and couldnt imagine taking care of small children. my health only gets worse every year and ill be lucky if i make to see grandkids.

Answer 10

It doesnt really matter much, because a baby is a great responsability at whatever age. Just 'cause your older doesnt mean your more mature and know how to take care of a baby. Maybe you had one when you were young and one when you were older, but both kids might of been completely different.(like cried all night, and other calm) But you never know. Cant really compare unless you've been through it.

Answer 11

I would much rather have all my children whilst i was young because it allows me the energy to keep up with them, do fun things with them and learn about me while im learning about them. My son saved my life when i was 16 so i would probably not have had this blessing if i was a mother at say 30