Your 20's are spent birthing babies, wrangling toddlers, dealing with stomach bugs, tantrums, potty training...then you have elementary school and teenage years...you no sooner get those kids off to college or wherever else life leads the and - WHAM - back to square one with a new baby. By the time the new baby launches, you are looking at retiring (hopefully) and maybe now you can finally have some 'Me' time? |
This is the part that I don't understand. How old do you feel at 44? I am about to be 45 and I still feel great. Maybe you need to see a doctor? |
I think it's the re-doing it part that seems draining. You no sooner get the first set of kids launched and then you are back to the newborn stage again....that's the part that seems tiring to me, at least. |
Eh I'm 41 and so so grateful that my days of the tiring and draining years of early childhood (sleep deprivation, the stomach bugs they bring home, etc etc) are behind me. I work out daily, am in great shape - but it's different...those early years are a whole other level of exhaustion. And my third pregnancy (in my thirties) was much harder on my body than my first (in my twenties). |
As someone who had a child just before my 45th bday, I find it's keeping me young and energetic. But I'm the athletic sort, anyway. My kid is now in elementary school and brings joy to me everyday. Wouldn't trade this for anything. |
Do you also have adult children? |
One of the stupidest arguments EVER. Get a grip. |
I believe I could muster up the energy to care for a baby now (age 45). BUT, pregnancy was extremely exhausting and painful for me at age 36/37. I had a healthy pregnancy, too (no bed rest, minimal nausea, etc) The newborn phase was a relief after that. I can't imagine it at age 45.
Also, my husband doesn't deal well with stress, so he'd drag us down if we had a surprise baby now. |
Lol a lifestyle died. |
A friend of mine just had a baby and her oldest is 12. I was surprised she'd even *want* another baby now that she was finally on the verge of being free from little kid stuff.
I'm turning 48 soon and barely even have sex and I'm paranoid as hell about getting pregnant. Doctor won't let me go back on the pill or get another Mirena and I don't trust condoms because my daughter was a condom baby. ![]() |
I have 3 kids, the youngest is 20 months so in the thick of it. I find it sad that so many talk about freedom of grown up kids. Like literally arguing what decade of life is better to destroy by having kids in it.
Whenever I think about that I get sad. I mean sure this is tiring but also the fullest period of my life. And yes I work full time, spend a lot of time in Europe etc, so kids are not all There is to my life even now. |
I wouldn't trade the privilege of raising and watching children grow up for anything in the world. But as much as I love being a mom and as much as I have enjoyed raising my kids - No way would I do a second round of it. No way. |
Agreed! My kid’s grandma is super high energy and has no problem keeping up with all her grandchildren. Some people have more energy than others. She’s 55. |
It’s not super duper weird to have one baby at 24 but THREE?
Yeah that’s highly unusual for middle class or higher. |
My neighbor just had her 6th at age 46. A complete surprise. The other 5 kids are 22 down til 10. Surprise! |