what are the pros/cons to earier/later parenthood?

Question

a young parent or an older one... which is better

Answer 1

Older=Wiser
Younger=More energy

You chose

Answer 2

Just another point of view on the topic: Many women desire to be young moms, but suffer fertility issues. I did not have my only son until age 32, and it is unlikely I will be able to have more. I don't think I'm too old, but it's certainly not 22.

For us, we are quite financially stable. I am very established in my career to the point where I have been able to now work part time. I attend Graduate classes in the evening.

I still have lots of energy to play with my son, but a 2 1/2 year old does wear you out after a few hours no matter what your age! I am currently 34, although I am often mistaken for a 25 year old. (I truly do appreciate the compliment). Part time employment allows me the opportunities to make play dates and do lots of fun things with my son.

Had I not suffered any fertility issues, I would have been a parent at 27. I would not have been as financially secure then. I would have not appreciated some of the things as I do now.

One 'con' I can think of with being a very young mother is lacking post-high school education and work experience. God forbid the marriage doesn't work out, a young mom may need to work to financially support the kids. There are moms out there who have never worked a day in their life.

While some people make a conscious decision to have kids earlier thanlater, some women jsut don;t get teh chance to make that decision.

Answer 3

The trend these days is for women to have children when they're older, because technology has improved so much that a lot of problems can be addressed in time. I myself am an older mom and don't regret it. I was more patient, financially stable and mature. I do think though, that I would have had more energy to do things with him if I had him when I was younger. He is mentally handicapped (unlrelated to my age) and I wonder if my chances would have been better to have a healthy child if my eggs were younger. I would say, for the child's sake, it's better to have an older parent (as long as the other moms don't ask if you're their granny!) Lol.

Answer 4

The older you get, the more life experience you have which is a real asset to parenthood. But it can also be true that your energy level drops as you get older and parenthood can be more of an adjustment to older parents lifestyles.

Young parents have the energy level to chase around small children and deal better with the physical stresses of sleepless nights and constant activity. But they are also often less careful of their children and less patient.

Bottom line is that it is more about the personality of the parents involved and less about their age. How much do they want children? How willing are they to adapt their lifestyles? How mentally and emotionally mature are they?

Answer 5

Young parent pros: You have the energy. As a mom, your body bounces back quicker after childbirth. You should be able to relate better with your kids and their friends.
cons: usually not financially stable. Your kids might get jealous when their friends come to visit you instead of them. As a young parent, your kids see you as a peer at times, so discipline can be difficult at times.

Older parent: Hopefully, you'd have things like a house and car and be financially stable enough to even take the kids on trips sometimes. Maybe a little more world-wise. More time to be able to spend with the kids. An established career, so less stress possibly.
Cons: hmm...as long as your health is good, I don't see any.

Answer 6

Pros to early parenthood
You r young & have the energy to raise a kid .
You grow up along with ur kid .
Your kid understands u better because of less gen gap .

Late parenthood

The reverse of whatever I've told .

Am a young mother of 2 boys & can vouch for the fact that It has more pros than cons . Great parenting . Cheers .

Answer 7

I think the pros for early parenthood are as follows: You get your childbearing days over and done with sooner, so you can look forward to having some quality time with your husband 'one day'.
Your body is more flexible and better prepared to loose your pregnancy weight.
You don't get so worn out with all the sleepless nights.
You will be able to relate more to your child as you are closer in age.
In favour of older parents:
You are more worldly wise and have more to teach them.
You will not be stressing about the minor things.
Money will be less of a problem.
You will have a house sorted out to live in.

Answer 8

If you wait until you're 30 to get pregnant, you are at a *significantly* higher risk of being unable to conceive.

If you wait until you're 40 to get pregnant, you are at a *significantly* higher risk of having a Down Syndrome baby.

David Letterman was about 51 when he had his son. He's already had bypass surgery. It's unlikely he will finish the job of parenthood; he'll be dead before his son finishes college and is on his own.

Tony Randall, born in 1920, had kids in 1997 and 1998. They had barely started school when he died following a 2003 heart attack. He's have had to lived to be 100 to finish the job of parenthood.

Chasing a two-year-old while you're in a walker is absurd. Someone of retirement age is a poor parent for a kid going through his teenage years.

Answer 9

I completely agree with Emta3. I'm 22 and am expecting baby #2 here soon. I think it's nice to be a younger mom. I have enough energy to keep up with my wild 2 year old, and I'll have enough for a newborn too here soon. My husband is older than I am (he's 28) and our daughter really tires him out. So I'm glad that I'm young enough to have the energy and enthusiasm to keep up with my kids. Another perk is that by the time I'm 40, both of my kids will be graduated from high school, grown up and out of the house and living on their own, giving my husband and I plenty of time to enjoy our lives together! Yay!

Answer 10

My mum was 17 when she had me she is 38 today! (happy birthday Mum!) She partys quite abit now because she missed out. We have turned up to a new years party together wearing the same kind of stuff!

We always get called Sisters (erm... im 20 arrggghh not bloody 38!!)

its great though because I dont have to explain things about my generation like my friends do with their mums because mine knows it all.

My friends mum was in her 30s when she had her so she is only in her 50s- quite a cool mum and doesnt turn u p at the same parties as us!!

What ever you do make sure its for the best and not pressured in any other way! Make sure your in a stable relationship and have a roof over your head!

It all helps

Flic x x

Answer 11

only u can decide when its better for you, when ur young, u can study, travel, have a life n then when ur over it n want to settle down ur more financally set up and can devote all ur time to ur kids without havin any regrets of not doin the things u wanted to when u where young n free, but on the other hand, do u really want to be in ur 40s n 50's changing nappys n running around after toddlers when all ur other friends perhaps have grown up kids and are enjoyin their grandkids n great grandkids even.. do u really want to be 60 in ur 60,70 0r 80s before u see ur 1st grandchild? an the later u leave it to have some the more problems u get, more at risk of this n that etc.. infertitly early menopause etc.. u may have waitin tooo long... but if ur young, u can relate more to ur kids, ur young enuff to take them on rides n run around n be stupid with them, u ur self grow up with them, ur more laid back u can handle the constant late nights n lack of sleep better, yes u may miss out on travel or ur ultimate jobs etc.. but by the time ur kids leave home, u are still young enuff to do these things n can grow old n enjoy the golden years child free except when the grandkids come over of course but atleast u'll still be around to see them.