Having children in your 30s
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
May 13, 2008 12:52pm CST
Do you think it's a good idea to have a baby while in your 30s? I had my last child when I was 35, after an 8 year break, and I find that I can't keep up with her as well as I did with the others. She gets away with more because she can outlast me in a discussion or confuse me with a thousand details.
2 people like this
4 responses
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
13 May 08
I had all three of mine in my 30s. Yes, energywise it's definitely a bigger drain than having them earlier. However, we are financially stabler than we were in our 20s and emotionally as well. And not being able to chase them down as well as somebody in their 20s might be able to makes for a different approach to parenting. I don't have the energy to scream and yell and I have weathered enough crisis situations that a temper tantrum won't throw me. Personally, I think I'm a lot calmer as a parent now than I would have been in my 20s, but also firmer. I know where I stand in life and have less self-doubts than in the last decade.
Now as to your child getting away with more. I was the last one for my mom, with a nine year age difference to my next older sibling. I was just spoiled all around. My mom didn't want me to grow up, lol.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
13 May 08
Yes, spoiled is my daughter's middle name! For a long time I didn't want her to grow up either but, now that she thinks she's grown and knows everything, I'm willing to loosen the apron strings.
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
13 May 08
I know that I couldn't do it. But, I have a lot of health problems now that I didn't when I was younger. I loved raising my son, but I had him when I was 18.
As long as you love her and take care of her, I'm sure everything will be fine. It may be different raising one in your 30's but those are the important things.
Good luck.
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
13 May 08
Ah, ok sorry I must have read wrong. I can understand how having older siblings would do that. My husband was the baby of his family and he tells me stories like that. His mom was 35 when she had him, and his oldest sister is a lot older. She was 21 when he was born!
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
13 May 08
Thanks sunnflr. Actually, she's 17 now so she's almost grown. I didn't start having problems with her until she was around 12 and decided that she was old enough to do just about anything that popped into her head. Having older siblings made her want to do more grown up things I guess.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I woud have had mine sooner if my baby
had allowed. But it just wasn't meant to be.
As is, I have had one child at age thirty
and no signs I will have another one until
I am in my late 30's. Right now I'm in my
mid-thirties.
I am sure that I will require household help by then.
If I could afford it now, I might.
But my daughter and I are coping well.
She loves using my computer for her games.
Otherwise her energy is so great that she would
exhaust me, so I keep her busy with educational games online.
@anujain75 (1059)
• India
13 May 08
My only child was born when I was just completed 30.Now he will complete two years on 12th june.I am looking for another child but not now.I will take after 2 years.
I want to know from you, do you felt any difficulties during your pregenancy days or the time of delivery.Because somebody told me If I will take baby in mid or late thirty then there are some risks.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
13 May 08
I don't believe the health risks are any higher in your mid to late 30s unless it's a first pregnancy, then the risk of downs syndrone increases. My last pregnancy was as normal as the other three. I enjoyed being pregnant more since I knew for certain it was my last time. The best thing you can do for yourself to prepare for the next pregnancy is to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, keeping in the best physical shape you can.
