It's true, I started my family young. But not TOO young. I was 21 almost 22 when my first son was born. I was 23 when my second son was born. I think that whole experience of having children 15 months apart aged me...midnight feedings, bouncing boys, diapers, etc. That's no lie. But I don't feel old, yet I have a 20 year old and a 19 year old and let's not forget, of course, the 14 year old. Interestingly, I have some friends from high school that seem to have just barely started having babies. They are my age and they have infants or two year olds...I honestly just can't imagine. Here I am close to the "empty nester" stage, I feel young, I feel great, and these friends are just starting out. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that one.
I'm not sure I would ever do it any differently, but they had their child free time when they were young, but are going to have children at home most likely till they are 60! Then there's me...had them young, and only 4 more years till my youngest goes off to college. Sometimes I wonder who is feeling older....Me, because I have such old kids, or them because they are doing midnight feedings and changing diapers at 43 and 44.
I know there is no right way to do it, but the vain person in me wants to know,
Who's Older?
I had my first son at 22 and second at 23, I definitely know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny you wrote this because I ALWAYS think about this. I had my son when I was 24 and my daughter when I was 28. I was feeling so old when I had my daughter, but then again, a lot of my friends from school haven't even begun to think about kids. I wouldn't change it for anything though-- it's just what worked for us.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about this myself. I had all 5 of my kids before I turned 30. The youngest will turn 18 when I am 46. Honestly, I'm glad I had them when I had more energy. Of course, if we waited until we were in our 40s to start we'd have way more money ... but now I should be able to enjoy time with my husband when we are still youngish in a very meaningful way. Life doesn't really start until you have kids ... so waiting until you are middle-aged to start having kids seems like a long time to wait for life to start. (And mind you, I had already graduated from graduate school by the time I started having my kids so it isn't like I missed out on the whole college experience or had never gone anywhere before I started my family.) For some people, it can't be helped that they have to start their families later, but I'm really grateful that I could have my kids when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling really old right now, but it isn't about my kids being older. I think I feel old because my body is getting older and I need to exercise it. :P
Dood, at this rate, I am going to be 60 with a 5-year old.
ReplyDeleteI had my last child later in life, so I think about how old we will be when she hits college. They will think we are grandparents!
ReplyDeleteI am the only one of my friends that has kids. No one has even started yet. So, I have a joke with them. They get to travel and have fun while they are young and have lots of energy. I will get to travel and have fun when I am old and rich :) I am thinking that sounds nice :)
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting question!!! And I'm on BOTH sides of the equation. I had my first two at ages 23 and 25, and my third at 38! (New, younger husband syndrome!) In some ways I'm a better mother now that I'm older, and in some ways I'm more tired, and just want peace & quiet. In some ways I'm "younger" because I'm still playing and still rediscovering life's magic with the help of a small child! So....both!
ReplyDeleteNew follower - so nice to *meet* you!