What is parenting like when you had kids at an older age?
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Anonymous
Love this. Had my only at 40. Younger me was a clueless idiot! |
Anonymous
Add me to this camp as well. No way younger me could have parented my kids as well as older me. |
Anonymous
| I am 47 with two elementary-school-aged kids. I have less energy than I did a decade ago, but a lot more patience. On balance, I'm glad we waited. |
Anonymous
| 57 years old with a 27 year old, 26 year old, and 14 year old. With the 14 year old I'm not as inclined to book up my weekends with endless sports and other activities. I know what I like and what I dont to do. Not looking forward to getting another child through the teenage years (i.e. driving, teenage issues). On the other hand, we love our 14 year old and can't imagine life without her. My perspective is a little different because of the age difference between my oldest and youngest. The older "first-time" parents we meet are very engaged in the process of rearing a child and don't seem to have any regrets. For many older parents, they have waited a long time for children and are very involved. |
Anonymous
| Agree with PP above who said that being an older parent with your first in way different than being one with your third (or more). I'm 51, DH is 63, and our youngest is 13. We are more laid back and less inclined to jump through every parent involvement "hoop" with her than we were with her two older brothers. I guess you could say we are less energetic, but also wiser, calmer and more efficient parents at this time in our lives. It all balances out. |
Anonymous
| I'm 53 with a 5 year old (adopted). Thirty nine sounds young to me. |
Anonymous
Had my twins at 37. I know I'm better off now than I was in my 20's and early 30's. I do have a lot of patience with the kids something that did not exist early in my life. 
My friend had her twins at 42. |
Anonymous
Wonderful! |
Anonymous
| I have two with a huge age difference. I enjoyed the child that I had later in life much more. I was a better parent. |
Anonymous
52 with four year old (adopted also). Agree that 39 sounds young. Congratulations! |
Anonymous
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You are crazy OP -- 39 is young!!
I am happy beyond belief with my 6, 4, 2 yo. I am 46, DH is 50. Energy is not an issue though early menopause is kicking my ass . . . |
Anonymous
| As an older parent, as long as you stay somewhat in shape during the toddler years, you will definitely have the energy. And, the best part of being an older parent with life experience is that it is SO much easier to spot and call BS than when you are younger. You can call BS on not only the kids when they get to middle-school, but also on the in-laws, the sitter, and all of those young, well-meaning but misinformed teachers. |
Anonymous
Another 52 year old with adopted 5 year old..... Agree 39 sounds young. From my perspective, I find myself calmer and less stressed with a child than I was as a workaholic in my 30's and 40's. So I think I'm wiser than I would have been when younger. |
Anonymous
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22:54. If you do not mind me asking....were your kids w/ ART assistance or naturally conceived? Signed: Curious!
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Anonymous
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Birthed in late thirties and now am in my fifties. The teen and college years [when they are home] can be the most difficult period.
Much depends on the individual child rather than the age of the parent. You can't control their friendships , activities, etc and you can't control other parents [homes and discipline and standards] and schools to fit your standards. |