older parents
By raleyfamily
@raleyfamily (132)
United States
October 24, 2009 2:52pm CST
I am the mother of ten children. Seven are biological, three are adopted from the foster care system. They range in age from 33 years old down to 2 years old.
I'm an older mom, 55 years old. My husband is 59. Our three adopted children we adopted in the last four years, and they are six years old, five years old, and two years old.
We got a lot of flack when we adopted from people who told us we should not take the children, because we would be in our 70's before they were grown, to which I reply, yes, that's true, but I will be 70 with a grown child, not 70 with a baby still!
My question to you is this: if it's wrong for older people to adopt, where are the younger people who will take the hurting children of the world? We are foster parents, and there have been times when I've seen children have to wait in the CPS office all day long because a home could not be found for them!
2 people like this
7 responses
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
25 Oct 09
There are some babies and children awaiting for adoption in most countries in the world. Often there are not enough people to adopt them. I think that you have done very well to adopt three children after you have had seven biologically. It doesn't matter that you are older you are experienced parents with much love to give. I will say well done for being an adoptive parent. Age is not a barrier I think.
@raleyfamily (132)
• United States
25 Oct 09
Thank you! I do all I can to care for them well. And I love them very much.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
25 Oct 09
The mere fact that the children were there for you to adopt shows that there was nobody else to adopt them, so what you did for them is very commendable indeed.
If you hadn't adopted them, they may not have loving parents at all. Just because you are that little bit older doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to give a child the best start in life that every single child on this Earth deserves.
Well done you, and I wish you the best of luck to you, your husband, and your children in the future.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
24 Oct 09
I say God Bless you! I wouldn't recommend older people making babies. But taking in these kids that have no where else to go I think is admirable. You have given up your golden years to care for kids that truly need you. Good for you!
@raleyfamily (132)
• United States
24 Oct 09
I will admit that I also had a baby in my 40's. We were convicted to be a quiverful family when we were in our 30's. My last child was born when I was 42. She is BEAUTIFUL, and one of the ten joys of my life!! :))
@crys7881 (249)
• United States
24 Oct 09
No I do not think it is wron at all for you to have adopted those precious children!! There are so many young people that do have children and can't or wont take care of them and people like you are quity frankly their saving grace!! I am a young parents (I had my daughter when I was 19) and I have had a hard time with it, I think being older and having more experience you are better at being parents and taking care of kids. Not that younger people can't do it but you are just as capable of being a great mother!! My parents adopted three kids and my dad is in his early fifties, I think it is silly at times, but I have also seen where those kids would be if my parents had not adopted them and it isn't a pretty place!! I applaud you for doing what you are doing and taking care of those percious babies!!
@raleyfamily (132)
• United States
24 Oct 09
Thank you. And really, I'm not asking for applause, or for anyone to think I'm great. I adopted these children because I was selfish: I loved them, and I WANTED them, and I couldn't bear for them to leave me after having fostered them for a long time.
I always tell my children that the older ones got the mother with the energy, the younger ones got the mother with the wisdom!
@Chrisdude (75)
• United States
25 Oct 09
The only thing wrong with older people having babies has to be the risk for the children and parents,there can be many complications, and that older people dont have as much patience as younger adults trying to raise a new born.
But God Bless if you are thinking about adopting
@raleyfamily (132)
• United States
25 Oct 09
Actually I've found that I have a LOT more patience raising children now in my older age than I did as a less mature parent. A lot of things I thought were a big deal back then, I realize are not. A lot of things that I didn't think were important back when I was younger, I realize now has a lot of importance in the children growing up to be mature, character strong adults.
And we've already adopted three children since we've been in our 50's. Right now, we are 55 and 59, and our children, biological and adopted (the adopted ones are the youngest) are 33, 32, 24, 22, 18, 16 13, 6, 5, and 2
@oldchem1 (8132)
•
19 May 10
I have five children aged between 38 and 14, I was 21 when I had my first child and 45when I had my last.
My mother was 43 when she had me and my mother in law was 43 when she had her last child - noi thre is nothing wrong with older mothers.
You are a very kind and brave woman to adopt, god bless you
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
25 Oct 09
Well, I do not see anything wrong with adopting children even though the parents is older as long as they could provide the right love and support then it would not be a problem. In your case,I deeply admire your kindness for adopting homeless children as it makes them happy and secure for having found great parents like yours. When they grow up they would be the one to take care the both of you. Thus, do not worry about your ages and before you reach the age the children is already grown up.
