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Channels: Relationships - Family
Tags: mothers - percentage - popular - parent - women
March 9th, 2010
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Growing Bolder Through Parenthood
Added: Thu. Feb 04, 2010 2:53pmPosted in: Family
I'm not a parent (unless you count my furballs):
But I know that someday I'd like to be. If I'd been born in a previous era, I most likely would be a parent already! The latest Census report says that the average age of a woman giving birth for the first time is 25.1 -- and that's the highest of all time.
In fact, in 2009, more than 100,000 women over the age of 40 gave birth.
For each family, the decision of whether to have kids at all, and then -- when -- is based on finances, emotional support, physical shape and more. For me, there are some selfish items to think about as well...I'd like to keep moving up in my job. I'd like a bigger house. I'd like more financial stability. I'd like to travel more.
The list goes on and on.
So I'm looking for your insight. When did you have kids? Was it too early? Too late? Any regrets? What shaped your decision? How have the "rules" changed from the ones faced by your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents?
While you're thinking about it, here are some fun facts from the Census:
In fact, in 2009, more than 100,000 women over the age of 40 gave birth.
For each family, the decision of whether to have kids at all, and then -- when -- is based on finances, emotional support, physical shape and more. For me, there are some selfish items to think about as well...I'd like to keep moving up in my job. I'd like a bigger house. I'd like more financial stability. I'd like to travel more.
The list goes on and on.
So I'm looking for your insight. When did you have kids? Was it too early? Too late? Any regrets? What shaped your decision? How have the "rules" changed from the ones faced by your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents?
While you're thinking about it, here are some fun facts from the Census:
- 82.5 Million: the estimated number of mothers of all ages in the United States.
- 68%: percentage of women in Mississippi, ages 15 to 44, who are mothers.
- 82%: percentage of women 40 to 44 years old who are mothers.
- 4 Million: number of women who have babies each year.
- August: the most popular month in which to have a baby.
- Tuesday: the most popular day of the week in which to have a baby.
Ina
- » view
- » report
Posted 9:08 am February 5th, 2010I am not in the US, but I got mine when I was aged 19, 31 and 34. I think it depends on the situation, if you are ready mentally for the responsibility (it is for life!) and if you have a partner who wants a child too, and if income is not an issue, then the only thing you need is a real wish to be a mum and the good fortune to be able to get pregnant.
Where I live, the average age for a woman to have her first, is 29, and that is statistically worldwide very old really.
For me 19 was too early, I do know that now, but at the time I thought I could do it easily when it sort of happened unplanned. 31 was the time I knew a bit more about life, 34 was too old! really, for my body, it was a lot more difficult to deliver. So I think around 25-30 is the best time? JMHO.
To have children changes everything: your lifestyle, your body, your relationship, your working hours maybe. Your social life will be centered around nappy times and babysitters. At times you just want to sleep for 6 hours on a row. But it gets better when they grow older, till they are teens and you start to worry all over again and you have more broken nights.
From the moment you know you are pregnant, that other person is more important to you than yourself or anyone else, you'll see what I mean. The fear of this child to be hungry, sick, in terrible circumstances will constantly be there. But the happyness just to hold your child the very first time, makes up for everything, even the laborpains. It is a feeling I find undescribable.
What ever you decide, I wish you to be happy with your choice. Having children was the best thing that happened to me, but I can well imagine that it is different for others. Don't wait too long to decide though!