What's the best age to have kids?

[cantdrv55]

I had my son when I was 27. I'm only 41 now, so I'm still young enough to be cool and know what's up, old enough so that when he hears a new song, I can tell him it's a remake and the original was better, still formidable enough to keep him in line (good thing he's a great kid) and financially fit enough to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor for decades to come. When he's ready to have kids of his own, I'll just be in my early fifties.

I think the mid twenties is the best age to have to kids. What do you think?

[CamB]

When he's ready to have kids of his own, I'll just be in my early fifties.

Only if he follows your lead...

I agree with you on age, but I missed that boat (I'm 30, but my wife is 5 years younger and still at Med school). However, I do find it difficult, looking back, to imagine having kids a few years ago. Thing is, I've adjusted my lifestyle accordingly.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

As soon as is financially feasible.

It seems to me that women are simply becoming less fertile these days, and as they get older it just gets harder. I have sooooo many 30+ friends who're trying and trying and trying....

[jyl]

Pretty early. Nice not to be a geriatric when your kids are coming into adulthood, and to have some spunk left when your grandkids arrive.

[CamB]

Oh yeah - from 30 onwards, no matter how much some women like to pretend otherwise, it becomes harder. I understand it drops fast from about 35 on...

Guys are good for years, apparently...

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
As soon as is financially feasible.

It seems to me that women are simply becoming less fertile these days, and as they get older it just gets harder. I have sooooo many 30+ friends who're trying and trying and trying....

We waited to try to have another child until it was financially feasible and, by then, it was too late. Could have gone the IVF route but felt that maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

[livi]

Ain't no age dependent best time for kids. When you really want kids in your heart and mind thats when its time. IMO trying to schedule them in when work situation, income or your on age seems right are all pseudo arguments.

I have four children age 5 months - 9 years and I am 40 next year (yikes!)

If your heart and soul longs for kids when your 18 or when you are 40. Fu%& age, just do it !

IMHO, of course...

[Rick V]

My son is 18, my daughter is 15, I am 40, and I'm not allowed to tell you how old the little lady is(older than me ha-ha-ha) I started when I was 21 wasn't planed just happened. Was already married so no big deal. In some ways it's good to start young,closer in age But I can also see where a couple more years would have helped me out. I had to realy crack down on the playing and had to become a complete adult fast. When my baby goes off to coledge I'll only be 44.

[Jims5543]

Define - Fiancially Feasable.


If you wait until the money is good you might be waiting a long time.

I think its more of a question of how bad do you want kids?

Are you willing to make sacrifices in order to have them?

We had our first when I was 27, I had to sell my sports car and sell our newer car for an older car so we could handle the loss of her income when she stayed home with the kids. I did not get another sports car until I was 35.

We just had our second kid and I was 37. Too old in my book but we had trouble getting her knocked up. It took 5 years to make the second one.

To do it again? Have them both in my early 20's and tough it out.

[Jims5543]

oops

[gaijindabe]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte

It seems to me that women are simply becoming less fertile these days, and as they get older it just gets harder. I have sooooo many 30+ friends who're trying and trying and trying....

The last thing I read on this is that couples that are trying are just not having enough sex! Yes, that is right. A fertility doctor was trying this and that - and his patients forgot about the birds and bees..

If you want a baby - keep a good calendar and bust out the Barry White. (Also a good idea to loosen up the tighty-whities and stay out of the hot tub.)

[gr8fl4porsche]

I was 37 and my wife 38. Knock'd her up with one try!!

[Moses]

In our society we have large families, small families, rich families, poor families, kids born to young mothers, kids raised by grandparents, kids whose parents are disabled and will never play catch with them. Every situation brings a different set of blessings and challenges. All contribute to the rich tapestry of human experience.

Have kids whenever you feel the need to start a family. Women need to be concerned with decreasing fertility with age and studies have shown that children rarely make good parents, but other than that, it's all good.

[legion]

Some of my friends are starting to have kids. Fortunately none for the "crew" from college yet, once they go, it's only a matter of time for me. (Same thing happened with marriage.) Still, I'm still getting acustomed to being married. I want to settle a little first.

[Schrup]

Originally posted by CamB
Oh yeah - from 30 onwards, no matter how much some women like to pretend otherwise, it becomes harder. I understand it drops fast from about 35 on...

Not my wife!!! We decided we wanted a rugrat, so she had it planned to the day. I had reservations because of her age (41) & thought that it was problematic. She quit taking the pill, & three months later, BAM, she was prego.

I have a seventeen year old daughter & a two year old son. My kids have given my life purpose, when my daughter started to get older, I was single & really had a desire to find the right lady to start a new family with.

I enjoy my son immensely, my daughter is all but grown up & has little use for me other than money. When I was in my 20s, I had a lot going on & didn't appreciate being a parent as much as I do now. Things couldn't have turned out better!

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by Schrup
Not my wife!!! We decided we wanted a rugrat, so she had it planned to the day. I had reservations because of her age (41) & thought that it was problematic. She quit taking the pill, & three months later, BAM, she was prego.

I got mine knocked up right away too 5 years earlier. Then she mis-carried and her body was haywire. We got the go ahead to try again 1 year after that and we could not get her pregnant this went on for another 18 months 2 years.

Then she became worried about another miscarriage and decided to not have another. Then about 2 years later we were in hotel on vacation. I remember the night well and that was the night I knocked her up. We had been using condoms up tot hat point and that night we didn't have one handy and figured there was no chance she would get pregnant anyway.

I like the comment about kids not making good parents. Who do you think are rasing 80% of the kids today in the daycares and afterschool cares across our country. Teens!!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
Define - Fiancially Feasable.

Main Entry: fea·si·ble
Pronunciation: 'fE-z&-b&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English faisible, from Middle French, from fais-, stem of faire to make, do, from Latin facere -- more at DO
1 : capable of being done or carried out
2 : capable of being used or dealt with successfully : SUITABLE
3 : REASONABLE, LIKELY
synonym see POSSIBLE

So, like I said: "feasible". Not "optimal".

We were lucky (in our group of friends). We were in Japan and my wife said, "Damn, left the pills in the US." I said, "That's OK, let's have kids."

She caught that week.

If you're smart enough to own a Porsche it behooves you to reproduce early and often. The stupid people are outbreeding us!!!

[azasadny]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
I had my son when I was 27. I'm only 41 now, so I'm still young enough to be cool and know what's up, old enough so that when he hears a new song, I can tell him it's a remake and the original was better, still formidable enough to keep him in line (good thing he's a great kid) and financially fit enough to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor for decades to come. When he's ready to have kids of his own, I'll just be in my early fifties.

I think the mid twenties is the best age to have to kids. What do you think?

Similar here, except I was 31 when my son was born and 35 when my daughter was born. I'd like to think I'm older and wiser and have my finances together so my kids will benefit from that. I think I can appreciate my kids more than some who have them when they're still kids themselves...

[M.D. Holloway]

the lil bastid's will cost you a king's ransom to raise, you will never ever get a decent nights sleep again, you will be forever worrying about them, you will have to put up with their goofy friends, wack-o dates, running to the emergency room for stiches, broken bones and high temperatures and God forbid when they start to drive!

All that, it is the best thing in the world and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the best life has to offer. There is nothing better than a hug from you child or the smile on their face when they take their first step, make their first basket, learn how to write their name, get their face licked by a puppy or wake up on Christmas to find way too many toys to play with that day.

Have them as soon as you can. They become why you live...

[arcsine]

I was 39 when my daughter was born. Financially we are fine and her college is paid for so that is good. But I'm getting old and creaky and can imagine when she is the most active (8-15) will be tough to keep up at times.