When did you have a third kid?

[Anonymous]

Those with three - at what age did you have #3? Would really like a third, but the youngest I’d be is 38. Too old?

[Anonymous]

I was in my early 30's. I have friends who've had their first and seconds in their early 40's, so 38 isn't too old.

[Anonymous]

I think maternal age is low on the list of decision drivers for third kids, honestly. FWIW, my mother was 38 when I was born, although I was a second kid not third, and I never would have considered her to be "too old" a mother.

[Anonymous]

34.

But my friends had first and second kids at 38 and I didn’t blink. You are older but also more mature/settled usually, so it’s a wash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think maternal age is low on the list of decision drivers for third kids, honestly. FWIW, my mother was 38 when I was born, although I was a second kid not third, and I never would have considered her to be "too old" a mother.

Thanks! What is higher?

Op. My mom had me and siblings at 38/39 but there aren’t three of us. I know biologically it’s not too old, just wondering if three is too much to take on at this age. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Hmm. If this pregnancy pans out, I'll be in my 40s. I wasn't planning on it, but if it happens, it happens.

[Anonymous]

I was 40 when I had my third. My third is my easiest and the least of my concerns in life. You are not too old but I maybe underestimated the mental fatigue of the teens years.

[Anonymous]

Having my third at 37. 35-40 is all the same from what I can tell.

[Anonymous]

The day after I turned 39

[Anonymous]

My 3 were at 32, 35 and 38. I’d say I’m most similar to the ages of my middle kid’s friends’ parents (in Capitol Hill). 39 isn’t too old at all.

[Anonymous]

I know plenty of women who had their 4th or 5th kid in their mid to late 40s.

[Anonymous]

I was 28, 33, and barely 35. My friend having her third at 38 felt very similar to me. There were no issues for either of us.

[Anonymous]

I was 34. I had an older coworker ask me if I was old enough to have three kids. Ignoring the inappropriate comment, I was obviously on the young end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think maternal age is low on the list of decision drivers for third kids, honestly. FWIW, my mother was 38 when I was born, although I was a second kid not third, and I never would have considered her to be "too old" a mother.

Thanks! What is higher?

Op. My mom had me and siblings at 38/39 but there aren’t three of us. I know biologically it’s not too old, just wondering if three is too much to take on at this age. Thank you!

Financial, emotional, and logistical resources should be the highest consideration, in my opinion. What kind of life do you want to provide your kids? Can you afford it times three? Are you already feeling stretched thin making sure each of your current two get special time with each parent and have their emotional needs met? (This is why I'm stopping at two even though I'm wistful every time I post baby stuff on Buy Nothing.) Are you and your partner currently exhausted? Would you need to move to a big house/buy a bigger car with three? Do you want to do that? Do you have the time/energy to research that? Do you have a family setup (flexible jobs/nanny/family help/SAHP/whatever) that will allow you to cover three separate sports practices/games/hobbies, should that be part of question 1 (what kind of life do you want to provide your kids)?

All these questions seem way more important than your biological age, since what is "too much to take on" varies much more person to person than with age, I think.

[Anonymous]

Late 40s for number three. Things happen when they happen.