Average age of parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 39 with my daughter in 7th grade. We have paid tuition since 3rd. I love being a young mom. Never wanted to wait to have kids. I am not intimidated by the oldies in her class. Some look like grandparents. Half won't be alive to actually be grandparents.

Don't worry, you might not actually live to be a grandparent either. You may get hit by a car, die of cancer, tragedy may strike or you or your children, or you may just die younger than a lot of the "oldies" you see around. I had my first child when I was "older" and wouldn't change a thing. I had a career and life before my kids, I got to spend 10 years with DH and enjoy life before the responsibility of children, and now we can comfortably enjoy our life and have plenty of money for our kids. It also seems that you can afford afford tuition for a single child. BFD. Maybe with age and experience comes the fact that I wouldn't feel the need to be such an ahole on an anonymous board. Oh, and if you saw me, you'd likely guess that I'm 33 not 40 something and my guess is that I'm hotter than you.

That's not necessary. I am a young mom (NP here), and one of my greatest fears is that something will happen to me and I won't be there for my children as they get older. No need to point out the obvious, we are all afraid of leaving our families behind in an untimely fashion. Grandchildren are just icing on the cake.


signed, a 29-yo with a 5-yo and a 2-yo

[Anonymous]

Who gives a crap whether you're 29, 49, or 69? If you're not making any contribution to make anybody's life better (preferably financial), then I don't give a shit how old you are and whether you had your kids at 23 or 43.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half won't be alive to actually be grandparents.

That stings.

As an older Mom (45) this is something I think about a lot. I wish I had children younger but it just didn't work out that way. Of course if I did have them younger there was no way we could afford to send them to private, live where we do, stay-at-home like I do know, or take them on the trips that we do. I also probably wouldn't have the kids that I do so I know things worked out like they were supposed to, but I do worry about being "old". Not that it matters, but [b]people usually think I am 10 years younger than I am and I still often get carded (which is beyond ridiculous because I don't look anything close to 21!)[\b]. We are moving one of our children to a private school this year, so I think I will actually feel a little better knowing that in general parents are older because they aren't at the public schools.

No, actually, they don't. They're just being nice.

They have to card you if there is a chance you look younger than 30, not 21. That means if you look like an old 30-year-old, you get carded. Not saying this is the case for you, but you should know the law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half won't be alive to actually be grandparents.

That stings.

As an older Mom (45) this is something I think about a lot. I wish I had children younger but it just didn't work out that way. Of course if I did have them younger there was no way we could afford to send them to private, live where we do, stay-at-home like I do know, or take them on the trips that we do. I also probably wouldn't have the kids that I do so I know things worked out like they were supposed to, but I do worry about being "old". Not that it matters, but [b]people usually think I am 10 years younger than I am and I still often get carded (which is beyond ridiculous because I don't look anything close to 21!)[\b]. We are moving one of our children to a private school this year, so I think I will actually feel a little better knowing that in general parents are older because they aren't at the public schools.

No, actually, they don't. They're just being nice.

They have to card you if there is a chance you look younger than 30, not 21. That means if you look like an old 30-year-old, you get carded. Not saying this is the case for you, but you should know the law.

Yes, that makes sense. Thanks!

And to the person who says "No, actually, they don't. They're just being nice." You don't know me and yes, they actually do. I didn't say I was pretty or hot--I'm not. I just said I look young. I'm petite/short, don't have any wrinkles, and I don't have ANY gray hair (I have never dyed or highlighted my hair in my life). And, it isn't necessarily always a good thing. It definitely caused a problem professionally because people often thought I was younger and didn't take me seriously. In addition, it's embarrassing. "You're HOW old?!?" It makes you feel REALLY old when people say things like that. I never know what to say. My husband is also younger than me so I think that adds to the confusion. Again, I'm not saying I'm good looking--just younger looking.

Regardless, I don't care how old mothers are--I have many young friends and many older friends. I think I will just feel less self-conscious knowing that I'm not the only "old" Mom in the room... and maybe the Mom's will like the same music I do.

[Anonymous]

I'm an old mom and I really wish that I had had my kids when I was young. Of course it wasn't entirely up to me when I met my husband, but I wish I had met him earlier too! I wish that we had time to be married without kids instead of being pregnant right away. I wish that I had more energy to be with my young children. I had an amazing career so I don't think that I left much on the table there and don't regret anything from that angle, so I suppose that's one advantage. But I'm sorry that my own parents are so much older that they are having a harder time being grandparents let alone whether I will be able to be a grandparent! Also, you are still young when your kids go off to college so you can also enjoy your life on the other end! When all is said and done it is much better to be younger, imo. But it is what it is and I couldn't care less about anyone else's decisions. I also don't chose my friends based on their ages. At this point, I barely know how old anyone is anyway!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an old mom and I really wish that I had had my kids when I was young. Of course it wasn't entirely up to me when I met my husband, but I wish I had met him earlier too! I wish that we had time to be married without kids instead of being pregnant right away. I wish that I had more energy to be with my young children. I had an amazing career so I don't think that I left much on the table there and don't regret anything from that angle, so I suppose that's one advantage. But I'm sorry that my own parents are so much older that they are having a harder time being grandparents let alone whether I will be able to be a grandparent! Also, you are still young when your kids go off to college so you can also enjoy your life on the other end! When all is said and done it is much better to be younger, imo. But it is what it is and I couldn't care less about anyone else's decisions. I also don't chose my friends based on their ages. At this point, I barely know how old anyone is anyway!

I agree, but I do really appreciate how much patience I have now. I was kind of a basket case in my 20s, and now in my late 30s it takes a lot to get me upset.

On the whole, if your life works out that way, it's very nice to have kids when you're young. But if it doesn't work out that way for you there are plenty of rewards to older motherhood.

And I'm sure there are plenty of 25 year old moms with kids at the Big 3. They're just all married to 55 year olds.

[Anonymous]

I'll be 32 when my kid starts K. I have parent friends with kids the same age who are mostly older. I would say the average age of a mom in my kid's cohort is 5-10 years older than me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 39 with my daughter in 7th grade. We have paid tuition since 3rd. I love being a young mom. Never wanted to wait to have kids. I am not intimidated by the oldies in her class. Some look like grandparents. Half won't be alive to actually be grandparents.

Don't worry, you might not actually live to be a grandparent either. You may get hit by a car, die of cancer, tragedy may strike or you or your children, or you may just die younger than a lot of the "oldies" you see around. I had my first child when I was "older" and wouldn't change a thing. I had a career and life before my kids, I got to spend 10 years with DH and enjoy life before the responsibility of children, and now we can comfortably enjoy our life and have plenty of money for our kids. It also seems that you can afford afford tuition for a single child. BFD. Maybe with age and experience comes the fact that I wouldn't feel the need to be such an ahole on an anonymous board. Oh, and if you saw me, you'd likely guess that I'm 33 not 40 something and my guess is that I'm hotter than you.

That's not necessary. I am a young mom (NP here), and one of my greatest fears is that something will happen to me and I won't be there for my children as they get older. No need to point out the obvious, we are all afraid of leaving our families behind in an untimely fashion. Grandchildren are just icing on the cake.


signed, a 29-yo with a 5-yo and a 2-yo

You are 29 and have a child entering K at an independent school around here? You will definitely be younger than the norm unless you're considering a parochial school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 39 with my daughter in 7th grade. We have paid tuition since 3rd. I love being a young mom. Never wanted to wait to have kids. I am not intimidated by the oldies in her class. Some look like grandparents. Half won't be alive to actually be grandparents.

Don't worry, you might not actually live to be a grandparent either. You may get hit by a car, die of cancer, tragedy may strike or you or your children, or you may just die younger than a lot of the "oldies" you see around. I had my first child when I was "older" and wouldn't change a thing. I had a career and life before my kids, I got to spend 10 years with DH and enjoy life before the responsibility of children, and now we can comfortably enjoy our life and have plenty of money for our kids. It also seems that you can afford afford tuition for a single child. BFD. Maybe with age and experience comes the fact that I wouldn't feel the need to be such an ahole on an anonymous board. Oh, and if you saw me, you'd likely guess that I'm 33 not 40 something and my guess is that I'm hotter than you.

That's not necessary. I am a young mom (NP here), and one of my greatest fears is that something will happen to me and I won't be there for my children as they get older. No need to point out the obvious, we are all afraid of leaving our families behind in an untimely fashion. Grandchildren are just icing on the cake.


signed, a 29-yo with a 5-yo and a 2-yo

You are 29 and have a child entering K at an independent school around here? You will definitely be younger than the norm unless you're considering a parochial school.

NP here. Ignore her, and the poster who said she didn't know anyone who lived in NW, had kids in their early/mid-20s, and could afford big 3 tuition. There are a bunch of us around (and yes, we cover full tuition by ourselves). Lots of older moms too. And medium-aged moms. The best part is, nice people are nice people. So stick with those!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 39 with my daughter in 7th grade. We have paid tuition since 3rd. I love being a young mom. Never wanted to wait to have kids. I am not intimidated by the oldies in her class. Some look like grandparents. Half won't be alive to actually be grandparents.

Don't worry, you might not actually live to be a grandparent either. You may get hit by a car, die of cancer, tragedy may strike or you or your children, or you may just die younger than a lot of the "oldies" you see around. I had my first child when I was "older" and wouldn't change a thing. I had a career and life before my kids, I got to spend 10 years with DH and enjoy life before the responsibility of children, and now we can comfortably enjoy our life and have plenty of money for our kids. It also seems that you can afford afford tuition for a single child. BFD. Maybe with age and experience comes the fact that I wouldn't feel the need to be such an ahole on an anonymous board. Oh, and if you saw me, you'd likely guess that I'm 33 not 40 something and my guess is that I'm hotter than you.

That's not necessary. I am a young mom (NP here), and one of my greatest fears is that something will happen to me and I won't be there for my children as they get older. No need to point out the obvious, we are all afraid of leaving our families behind in an untimely fashion. Grandchildren are just icing on the cake.


signed, a 29-yo with a 5-yo and a 2-yo

You are 29 and have a child entering K at an independent school around here? You will definitely be younger than the norm unless you're considering a parochial school.

NP here. Ignore her, and the poster who said she didn't know anyone who lived in NW, had kids in their early/mid-20s, and could afford big 3 tuition. There are a bunch of us around (and yes, we cover full tuition by ourselves). Lots of older moms too. And medium-aged moms. The best part is, nice people are nice people. So stick with those!

You have 29 YO moms at your kids' independent school in the DC area? I wasn't being snarky at all. I just don't know anyone at our DC's school who had a child at 24, and it's not a fancy or expensive independent school by DC standards. Even my friends with kids at parochial schools had kids much later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be 32 when my kid starts K. I have parent friends with kids the same age who are mostly older. I would say the average age of a mom in my kid's cohort is 5-10 years older than me.

This is me and yes all my fellow parents at our children's school are at least five yrs older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who gives a crap whether you're 29, 49, or 69? If you're not making any contribution to make anybody's life better (preferably financial), then I don't give a shit how old you are and whether you had your kids at 23 or 43.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. As a younger mom, I am appalled how many of you are judging us. I was under the impression the older the wiser, no? Instead some of you sit here and try to decipher how people actually could do this? Unbelievable. I am sure other moms must talk about me then. Nice to know I am being judged on my age. I didnt want to be in my 60's when my kid graduates and goes to college. I wanted to have kids instead of racking up selfish debt in my 20's. I wanted to retire and not still have kids living at home or supporting in college. I want to have an empty nest and travel/live a new life with my husband before I need a cane. I wanted to be a fun healthy mom and a fun and healthy grand mom. So go ahead and judge me. I don't care. I settled down quick and didn't make a ton of stupid mistakes in my twenties. We started saving right after college and here we are.

The only judging I see here is you and the PP who felt it necessary to point out that some older parents may not live to be grandparents.

That was not mentioned at all in the previous post. Must have hit a funny bone.

2:11: I am 39 with my daughter in 7th grade. We have paid tuition since 3rd. I love being a young mom. Never wanted to wait to have kids. I am not intimidated by the oldies in her class. Some look like grandparents. Half won't be alive to actually be grandparents.

Perhaps I should've used "a PP," not "the PP" for greater clarity (for the more literal minded).

[Anonymous]

When my oldest was in K we talked about this at one event. The youngest parent was 26 and the oldest was 51. The range was less when we considered if it was our first or our last child.

[Anonymous]

I'm an older mom. Had my first at 36 and just had my second at 41. I couldn't be happier that I had my children when I did. I had more fun between the ages 30 and 35 than any other time in my life. I am so thankful for that time. And in this area I couldn't care less that I'm "older". Fortunately we're a dime a dozen around here. I also still feel young and have tons of energy for my kids.