Wich is the best age to have the first child?

Portugal
November 7, 2007 3:14am CST
Nowadays, wemen tend to have their first child later, and have less, so say the statistics for Europe. Do you think there´s a better age to have the first child? At what age, and why?
2 people like this
11 responses
• United States
11 Nov 07
I think it depends on the person. Some people are more mature and responsible then others and age has nothing to do with it. I was 23 when my oldest was born. I did not feel young but I was told by many that I was awfully young to be starting a family. I was 24 and 25 when my next 2 were born and then I was 29 when my last was born. I didn't feel any different at 29 then I did at 23 giving birth.
@MGjhaud (23171)
• Philippines
10 Nov 07
Well lots of my friends said they’re going to have their first baby at the age of 24 or 25 so they could do things with the baby while they’re young but as for me at the age of 24 or 25, I’ll prefer not to have baby yet. I wanted to have it at the age of 29 or 30. I don’t know because all I want to establish myself first before having a baby. I wanted to give my baby at least the comfort he/she deserve.
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
10 Nov 07
I don't think there's an age that's perfect for it although the statistics do say there are less chances of problems & defects if you have your children under the age of 30. You're just in a higher risk category for both mother & baby when you're 30 or older. I had my first a couple of months before i turned 25, for me this was a good age, some women like to be older others have them younger but i think they say the best age (health wise & for lowering the risk of problems) is early to mid 20's. When you are ready to have kids & want them though, is a personal decision.
@surveygrrl (1270)
• United States
9 Nov 07
I also don't think there is a magic number. Some people are ready before others. It is best to figure out if you are mentally ready, and then can you support a child. They are a lot of work but I treasure everyday with them. I had my first when I was 24 and my 2nd when I was 26. I am 28 and TTC a 3rd now. My mom was 19 when I was born. I have been the oldest so far t have my children and glad I waited to be able to do some traveling, set up health insurance and buy a house before having kids.
@clb67601 (32)
• United States
8 Nov 07
There is no magic age I think it just depends on when you are personally ready yourself. Some people would like to have more time to themselves when they are in their 20's to travel or do whatever they wish before haveing children and I think others would like to have them earlier so they won't be a parent when young children at an older age so they can have more time to themselves then.
• United States
10 Nov 07
I don't know what a good age is to have a baby really I was 21 when I had my first one and 25 when I had my 2nd and now im done having kids
• United States
7 Nov 07
I personally dont think there is a magic number for this. I became a mother to my first child at 19 years old. I was in a stable relationship, totally independent, and responsible enough to bring a baby into my home. I think that people mature at different stages in their lives and no one should put an age cap on bringing a little sunshine into the world.
@glamgrl (384)
• Ireland
7 Nov 07
personally i think 26
• Philippines
7 Nov 07
I had my firstborn when I was 22. He's 14 now and we jive about a lot of things. We "get" each other, so to speak. I think having kids during your 20's is good because you won't have much of a generation gap with your kids. My mom gave birth to me when she was 30 and she seldom "gets" me. With me and my kids, we can go out and have fun doing things that makes us all happy. I've often been mistaken as their aunt or elder sister too :)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
I think it's appropriate to have children sometime in your twenties. That's when you have the most energy and can keep up with all that needs to be done. On the flip-side: I think it's better to have kids at a later age because that's when you'll have more patience and better reasoning skills.
7 Nov 07
I think, 25 yrs. old would be very good. You are almost ready to have another responsibility which is being a mother.