Poll: Older Parents - How old is too old?

How old is too old to have children?

  • 30s

    Votes: 17 4.0%
  • 40s

    Votes: 119 28.3%
  • 50s

    Votes: 200 47.5%
  • 60s

    Votes: 40 9.5%
  • Never too old

    Votes: 15 3.6%
  • Condoms, innit

    Votes: 11 2.6%
  • Pancake!

    Votes: 19 4.5%

  • Total voters
    421
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Inspired by this article: https://www.theguardian.com/comment...erhood-having-it-all-women-julia-peyton-jones

I think 64 is undoubtedly too old to be having a newborn, but it does raise the question of where the cut off is in terms of age. Being an older parent presents benefits in terms of financial security and stability, and people can get ill or die at any age. However, I'm 42 and have three : 17, 10 & 2.

My oldest will start Uni as my youngest starts primary and whilst I love my kids, I couldn't imagine having any more now. So, wise old GD... How old is too old?

Can we have a poll, please?

30's
40's
50's
60's
Never too old
Condoms, innit
 
Depends if you're a man or a woman - man no age limit. Women are considered 'geriatric mothers' at something like 35, so around then I reckon. Having babies is tough on women's bodies.
 
I'm 30 at the end of this year, I'll have a 3 1/2 year old and a 3month old at that point.

I don't feel old, but I don't feel young either. From a financial/responsibility point of view I think I'm in the perfect place for me.
 
40s at the latest for me.

Any later then that and you'll have one foot in the grave before they settle down into a proper relationship/job (mid 20s).
 
I'm not sure where I'd put the limit, to be honest...

I'd say it depends on where people are with their life and if they think they can support the kid...
 
Clearly over 45 is too old, as it's almost impossible to get pregnant naturally and to carry the baby to full term.

In saying that mother-in-law is now pregnant at 42 naturally and Mrs Tosno will have her first sibling at 25 :D
 
You don't think it's ridiculous for eg. Mick Jagger to have one at 73 or whatever it was? There's a good chance he'll die in the middle of their childhood, and won't be able to participate fully in it.

There was an even greater chance he was going to die during conception.

I mean really, at this rate he is going to survive us all and we will discover the cure for immortality was the perfect cocktail of every drug at a lethal dose complete with smokes daily.
 
I'm almost 30 and my GF is 31. No kids yet, if it's going to happen then definitely before 40.

When you say "how old is too old?", do you mean ethically/biologically or socially? Also, i assume you mean the mother, as it's far more complex and relevant surely?
 
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I'll be 30 next year, no kids.

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However as woman get older there is an increased risk of birth defects. So the timeline will differ between men and woman.
 
There was an even greater chance he was going to die during conception.

I mean really, at this rate he is going to survive us all and we will discover the cure for immortality was the perfect cocktail of every drug at a lethal dose complete with smokes daily.

combination older father younger mother passes on superior genes.
 
Hoping to have kids one day, I'm 31 my partner is 27 and we are sadly not even close to being in a position to have them. we have just started saving for a deposit. I worry time will run out. it gets me really down.

Lots of my friends have just had kids willy nilly with no real thought into the future. They say if you wait until you can afford them, you'll never have them. But I don't think that's the right way of looking at things, if I cant provide stability then I shouldn't have them, even if it breaks my heart!

My girlfriend gets jealous and asks how can they afford kids, its not fair we earn more than them and save as much as we can but I do tell her that their only real aspiration in life is now hoping the council will give them a lovely big house for them to live happily ever after in. We don't want to live on hand outs.
 
Turned 30 in December, I currently don't have a partner but when I eventually do I'll only be looking to have kids when I feel comfortable career wise / financially.

I'm earning an above average salary but would like to progress further first to live worry free.
 
As long as you're able to take care of yourself and the children until they are adults, I don't feel age is relevant.

As you get older though, the risk of not surviving until their adults is reduced. The average life expectancy may be quite high but losing of eyesight, mobility and hearing can be unforgiving and can happen from quite a young age. Your form when you are 55 does not really dictate where you will be in 15 years time.
 
Turned 30 in December, I currently don't have a partner but when I eventually do I'll only be looking to have kids when I feel comfortable career wise / financially.

I'm earning an above average salary but would like to progress further first to live worry free.

You could be a billionaire, but as soon as you have your first child you will never be worry free again.

If you are earning above average salary, then you are financially ready.
 
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