How old were you when you had your first child?

[DwarfMaster]

I was 16

 

[mickeyboat]

28 for the first, 29 for the second. We had been married for 7 years before Hannah was born. I think it has worked out rather nicely for us.

Denae

 

[Bob Slydell]

We were 28 when DS1 was born and 33 when DS2 was born.

 

[disneydiva58]

I was 41 when I had my daughter.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Had DS at 28 and DD at 30

 

[BabyTigger99]

I was 23 when Wyatt was hatched.

 

[skooniebird]

I was not quite 22 when I had my first son. 23 1/2 when I had my daughter. I always swore I would be done before 30-and it turned out DH's vasectomy wasn't complete and we had a second "oops" son 3 months before I turned 30 and it really completed eveything. Best oops that ever happened to me I always say.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I was 29

 

[HeatherHH]

26 with the first (son) and 28 with my daughter

 

[Alice28]

I was 25 with #1.

 

[DawnCt1]

Considering I am still 29, and DS#1 is 27; you do the math.

 

[mickeyboat]

Considering I am still 29, and DS#1 is 27; you do the math.

It's amazing how quickly kids grow up while we age slowly.
Denae

 

[Rachie0507]

I, like the OP, expected an older crowd! You never know!

I was 21 when I had DD. 23 when DS was born.

DD was not planned but DS was. We wanted them to be close in age. We are planning for one more, probably in the next couple years.

As for being young and the cost involved, I think it is honestly something you have to go through to understand. I was in college and not married and DH had just finished college and was starting his career. I had no idea how we were going to handle it. I dropped out of school and became a stay-at-home mom. We have very loving and supporting families that threw us a great baby shower, which took care of our baby supply needs. DH worked his butt off to prove that he is a good, hard worker and he has advanced tremendously in his career in the last 6 years since this all started. And 2 years ago, when the kids were 2 and 4, I opened a daycare up out of our home (yes, we even bought a house during this time). So, now I am still home with my kids and using what I learned in college (I was an early childhood education major) with the kids I care for everyday. I think we have done alright.

The only downside is that I feel a heck of a lot older than 27!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

#1 - one month before my 21st birthday
#2 - 24
#3 - 27
#4 - 29

 

[jodifla]

OP asked about the finances about having kids. That's one of the big reasons we waited. I think that the statement, "If I waited until I could afford it to have kids, we'd never have them" is a huge falsehood.

Before we had DS, DH and I had our retirements funded and our DS's college education paid for. We can also afford to send him to private schools if that ends up being needed. We are well established in our careers, so taking time off from them is not a problem. Having a great track record at work buys you a lot of room once you have kids, because you've already paid your dues at work.

I think you are wise to wait until your are through school and started in your field. I'm actually pretty shocked to hear about all the teen mothers, or people who dropped out of college to start families. Having kids before you have your career established puts you in a dangerous position for the rest of your life -- if you're not careful.

 

[CathrynRose]

My 1st - 17

My 2nd - 21

Didnt know why I had them so young way back then, but now they're 14 and 10 and got to spend a lot of wonderful years with my mom, before *you-know-what*

And in 4 short years, I can kick the 1st one out - and 4 years after that number 2 is out the door - and I'll be only 39 (for a month - then Ill be 40!) (yes, that was sarcasm....kinda)

 

[Cruise04]

I was 20 - 2 1/2 months short of my 21st birthday, unplanned. On top of that I also got married within two months because we felt that was the best thing to do, even though the marriage didn't last due to several things. I was not allowed to go to college unless I paid for it myself and that was not an option for me. However I did have a great job and made great money until I got laid off. My ex-husband didn't keep a job because he didn't like to work and never told me that he got fired or quit until the bill checks started bouncing because he didn't deposit his paycheck (because he didn't have one to deposit). Money has always been a problem for me but I didn't have much choice. I would not give her up and I would not have an abortion. And now my life is so much more fulfilled with her in it - I can't even imagine my life without her. She is 16, loves to hang out with me and do things and be seen in public with me, we have a great communicative relationship (always have), and she's a great kid. I have no idea how I'm paying for her college, just have never had any money to put away for it. I'm hoping God has a great plan and she gets some great scholarships. Fortunately I work for a state university and she will get 50% off tuition for her 1st 4 years. We'll find a way. But my money has gone to good private schooling for her where she has done awesome. I know she would not have done as well in the public schools around here because of how significant her ADHD is how she handles social situations.

Putting her in daycare was not a problem for me. I had to work and had no choice and then I started working in daycare and I was so glad she had that experience. Would I love to be a SAHM, you bet because I could go do volunteer work. But I'm glad I am in the spot I'm in. I have a great husband who loves my dd and she loves him. He helps to support her, which at times I have a problem with because I don't feel he should have to because she's not his but her real dad doesn't support her.

We are now beginning to look at colleges and frankly it's making me sad. I know she has to leave home at some point but she has been my life, my bloodline. I'm really going to miss her.

OP asked about the finances about having kids. That's one of the big reasons we waited. I think that the statement, "If I waited until I could afford it to have kids, we'd never have them" is a huge falsehood.

Before we had DS, DH and I had our retirements funded and our DS's college education paid for. We can also afford to send him to private schools if that ends up being needed. We are well established in our careers, so taking time off from them is not a problem. Having a great track record at work buys you a lot of room once you have kids, because you've already paid your dues at work.

I think you are wise to wait until your are through school and started in your field. I'm actually pretty shocked to hear about all the teen mothers, or people who dropped out of college to start families. Having kids before you have your career established puts you in a dangerous position for the rest of your life -- if you're not careful.

That's awesome that you were able to do that but those of us who have been told we were young and stupid didn't have that choice and still don't have that choice. I give everything up so that my dd can have things she would like or need. There are times she can't have any money to do things and she understands this. She always has. And she understands she can't have brand name clothes and she's fine with that. But I have always given up buying clothes or shoes for myself until she was clothed. I still am that way. I have a pair of shoes that has a tear in one side and I don't have the money to go buy a new pair because there are things she needs right now that WILL come first because that's my priority.

 

[justhat]

OP asked about the finances about having kids. That's one of the big reasons we waited. I think that the statement, "If I waited until I could afford it to have kids, we'd never have them" is a huge falsehood.

Before we had DS, DH and I had our retirements funded and our DS's college education paid for. We can also afford to send him to private schools if that ends up being needed. We are well established in our careers, so taking time off from them is not a problem. Having a great track record at work buys you a lot of room once you have kids, because you've already paid your dues at work.

I think you are wise to wait until your are through school and started in your field. I'm actually pretty shocked to hear about all the teen mothers, or people who dropped out of college to start families. Having kids before you have your career established puts you in a dangerous position for the rest of your life -- if you're not careful.

I think that's really wonderful, but unfortunately that won't really work out for a lot of people. Many people simply won't be able to afford all of those things in entirety, even if they save for a long time. Also for some people they don't plan to have a career, they want to be SAHMs for the next 20 or so years so that career building doesn't interest them. Additionally, many people feel that the risks associated with waiting till 40 to have a child are not worth the benefits so they sacrifice and have them younger. Also, I think no matter how much money you have, there will still be things that you can't afford for your kid, so I think that's why the phrase is so used.

 

[Rachie0507]

I think that's really wonderful, but unfortunately that won't really work out for a lot of people. Many people simply won't be able to afford all of those things in entirety, even if they save for a long time. Also for some people they don't plan to have a career, they want to be SAHMs for the next 20 or so years so that career building doesn't interest them. Additionally, many people feel that the risks associated with waiting till 40 to have a child are not worth the benefits so they sacrifice and have them younger. Also, I think no matter how much money you have, there will still be things that you can't afford for your kid, so I think that's why the phrase is so used.

I agree with you. I would have been miserable working to establish a career when all I really wanted to do was raise kids. It has all worked out fine for us it is gives us something to be very proud of. And even though I didn't save for all those years, my kids are going to private school. You find ways to make it work. Now on with the thread.

 

[Stacy_C]

DS - I was 19 years old. I turned 19 on 4/23 and had him on 5/10. Believe it or not, I got married BEFORE I got prenant with him. I was a young bride for no reason other than I wanted to get married. Everyone assumed I was pregnant, but I wasn't until a few months later.

DD1 - I was almost 25. (DD was born 2/22)

DD2 - I was almost 29. (DD was born 3/14)

We are FINISHED!!!