Posted on 07/31/2006 11:28:23 AM PDT by Muzzle_em
I've always done everything on my own time-table, including waiting until after age 30 to get married. My husband and I remained childless and planned to never be parents, but now in my early 40's I'm feeling differently. I also am blessed in that I would be able to stay at home with the baby.
For every story I've heard about age-related fertility issues, I've also heard of yet another couple who thought they couldn't get pregnant, didn't worry about birth control, and got a nice little surprise.
I would like to hear from Freepers who have become parents either again or for the first time after age 40. Is it easier to parent or more difficult? Are you enjoying it more? Did doctors try to push you into trying IVF?
Ping to look at later. Glad there are so many positive responses on this thread.
That's excellent advice, and it is exactly what we did. Thanks to God, I can hear my precious kids giggling as I type this.
That's up to you, but please....do not blame God if you end up childless. Too many orphaned and abandoned kids in this world need parents.
Not to be morbid - but I have had three neighbors - all in their 60s - die in the last year.
I had my daughter when I was 24...I am now 44 and raising my grandson who is 14 months old. I definitely see the benefit in waiting till your older to have children...seems I have much more patience and "wisdom" now. LOL
Five years ago my wife and I adopted a beautiful baby girl. She was one day old. Her birth mother was 15 at the time.
Now we have a lovely and rambunctious five-year old. My wife and I tried for 11 years, but because of her medical problems, we couldn't have a child. We cherish this little girl even more because of that.
There are times when I want to put my head through the wall. That's to be expected with a 5 year old. But the good times outweigh the bad. Like this past spring when our daughter caught her first fish!!! Watching her get so smart, she sees road signs and asks what they spell.
The hardest part for me has been because I'm selfish. I have to share my wife's love and that's been hard.
I forgot to say that I'm 47 and my wife is 42.
We had two children when my wife was in her late twenties, than two more when she was in her early 40s. Each and every one of them is a blessing. Having and homeschooling them has been the single most important (and rewarding) thing I've done with my life. Nothing compares.
Most people think I'm 20 years younger than I am. Parenting will age you or keep you young! It's up to you.
Every minute has been a joy. Stayed at home, thought I'd lose my mind at times, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.
Do find time for dates with hubby tho.
It's both the hardest job and the most fun you'll ever have.
It's the new 30, or so I've heard...not yet having attained that age!
I was 17 when my dad and his wife had an OOPS baby. My dad LOVED it. He enjoyed every single thing about it. In your fourties you really have life on a string...financially and emotionally and he would have told you that, of everything, having my little brother was the greatest!
"It's the new 30, or so I've heard...not yet having attained that age!"
Nah...it's the new 50. I just turned 61 this weekend.
My sister in law and brother just had their first on 24 July 2006 after almost 8 years of marriage (in November). They are both 35. Tell those nosey body beeches to mind their own business or tell them to go to hell. What right do they have expressing that opinion for. She should say we'll I don't know about over 30, but I don't think you should have had children at all. What nonsense your wife must put up from people. I might have gone overboard, but that really pisses me off....lol.
Life is what you make of it. If the doc hadn't discouraged me from having more children aftr 40 I would have had another one or two.
I'm sixty. I had my son at 38 and my daughter at almost 41. It would have been better to have had them earlier when I had more energy, but what I cannot imagine is being sixty and never having had children.
That's what I'm wondering, where are all these beeches coming from? LOL
It makes me want to go up to her office and clean house sometimes. My wife is slim and very pretty and alot of times I think her coworkers do things like that to keep her down.
"Just remember - you will be pushing 60 when the the kids are in the teens - Stay in shape!"
Yep. My mom was 42 and my dad was 49 when I was born. Everyone asked if I was his grandson. I grew up quickly and became self reliant.
They have both been gone a loooong time. The loss may have helped me to be independent, but I still miss them both.
I don't know where you live, but you're wife is the perfect age to be mother. In our large extended family -- spread out over the U.S. -- that's about the average age of first parenthood, and they're all doing just great. Good luck!
I had my first daughter at age 19 and my second at age 35. The younger one is now 14.
The hardest part is dealing with the sulky, moody teen years again. The good news is that I know that this too shall pass, and in the end I'll have a wonderful, loving actual human who will talk to me! Grow your own best friends :-)
And this one won't borrow all my clothes. I'm slim and fit and dress well, but the age difference is too great.
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