Are mothers over 30 better prepared for motherhood?

[AB Asks]

A new report has suggested that women who become mothers over the age of 30 are better parents than those who don't. Apparently the average age for women to have kids has increased to 29 and could rise even more. Part of the logic behind the research is that these women are more likely to be financially secure and be in stable relationships. What do you think? Are older mothers better than younger ones? Or is it another myth?

[Reverandfunk]

A 14 year old into gansta rap, bling etc etc

or a 29 year old

Bit of a no brainer

[andy-hughes]

It is difficult to generalise, but the pointers indicated are valid.

A greater sense of maturity and responsibility usually arrives with age, but as with any generalisation, there are always excceptions. Some sixteen-year-olds become responsibile parents, some thirty-pluses, are a waste of time - look at the McCanns for an example of how to break the trend. Both mature parents, both professional people - and the parenting skills of salmon.

You can't always judge.

[redcrx]

perhaps as a general rule over 30s parents are in a more stable position. BUT i know of 20 year olds who cant cope and also of a 24 year old mother of 4 (including a disabled child) who makes me feel so inadequate because she is such a wonderful mother.

I also know of great mothers over 30 and some who just neednt have ever bothered having children as they see them as a financial bonus when it comes to claiming benefits.

[Psychick]

I had my first at the age of 23......... does that mean I didnt do as good a job of bringing her up as I will with the one Im expecting now at the age of 30?

I agree that circumstances have a lot to do with it but at the end of day, it really depends on the induvidual person.

[mrs_overall]

I had two children in my 30's and one child in my 40's. I'm more mature and patient than I was in my teens/20's but that does not make me a better mother than someone younger. I was never a 'natural' - I still cringe when I think of the time I left my eldest as a newborn in his pram outside a shop and came home without him.
One of my nieces has just had her 2nd child. She's 19 and she's a more 'natural' mother than I ever could be.

[Hellyon]

The theory is right I guess but as everyone else says, there are always exceptions. As someone who had my child at 39 (through problems conceiving not through waiting) I think there are advantages, I think you are more confident, have lots of relevent life skills and experiences, you're happier being tied to your home as you have had your 'wild' time etc. However, I was knackered, physically it's harder being an older parent and I struiggled with stamina and the lack of sleep.
So all in all I think there are advantages and disadvantages whatever age you have kids.

[boobesque]

I was 18 when I had my first and became a mum again at the age of 27, to me there is no difference, my children are bought up the same way, with the same love and attention.

The only difference is now the nights are A LOT harder on me!

[B00]

I'd mostly agree with that new report (any chance of a link to it?).

I was 18 when I had my first child, and if i'm being brutally honest I spent most of my 20's wishing she'd grow up so I could regain my freedom back again.

i became a mum again at the ripe old age of 34 and I was able to appreciate Mini Boo way more than I did the first time round, infact it's only since she came along that I realised how selfish I was with my attitude towards the now Teen Boo.

[daffy654]

I was 19 when I had my first child,20 with my second and 29 with my third.I would say I was far more patient and knowledgeable with my youngest. Mind you he has got Asperger Syndrome so I had no choice about being patient with him...it kind of goes with the territory where ASD kids are concerned.

[nat_84]

I'm 22 and as most of you know gave birth to my daughter in July and i think both me and my boyfriend (25 years old) are doing as gooder job as any other mother that i've met via parent groups etc.

As most people above have stated i think it depends on each individual case. Everybody's different and in different situations despite whatever age they may be. Obviously there is this 'Jeremy Kyle' like stereotype of young mothers (as mentioned above by Reverandfunk "14 year old into gansta rap, bling") but to put an age on to 'perfect motherhood' is ridiculous.

[helliebobs]

i'm 27 and had my son in March this year. I had felt ready for kids for a few years and knew that I wanted at least one before I was 30, partly because my parents were already in their 30s when they had me and I always felt I had old parents when I was growing up. I know people who have kids young and people who have had babies at an older age and I don't think you are ever really prepared for it, no matter what your age. The one thing I wasn't prepared for was doing it on my own.