ive been watching a programme on bbc3 about first time mothers, looking at what is the ideal age to become a parent. The eldest on was 48, what is your opinion ? do you think thats too old or does it not matter?

i think once you go through the change thats your bodys way of saying no more kids. i think if a pre menopausal woman feels like she can cope physically and mentally with a child then that is her descision and she shouldnt be judged x

My personal opinion is - if you are not going to be around for you childs first 20ish years ie when still a child then you shouldn't have them. Obviously in some circumstances things happen and children do get left without a mum but why do it on purpose? For example I think it's unfair for a woman of say 50 to have a baby and quite possibly pop their clogs at 65 and leave a 15 year old without a mum.

I reckon if you can get pregnant natural then you should be allowed to without judgement

Anyone who has gone through the change though...well that's your body saying hold ya horses you too old! Interfering then with IVF seems wrong.

Lisa wrote:

I reckon if you can get pregnant natural then you should be allowed to without judgement

Anyone who has gone through the change though...well that's your body saying hold ya horses you too old! Interfering then with IVF seems wrong.

I agree. Obviously there is the odd case where people go through it extra early which would be excluded.

x

I agree with the majority here that if you do it naturally then go ahead but if intervention is required for older ladies then I believe that the best interests of the child need to be considered.

Certainly I think anything over 50 is really too old.

I also think if a woman already has older children and wants more but needs intervention then it should not be funded by the NHS

As an older mother myself! I agree with Lisa.

I had my babies at 22, 29 and 41. I don't feel to old at all, i don't think that my parenting skills have changed that much. Im much more confident now and also more financially stable.

In fact I don't think age should come in to it.

Ive seen some pretty bad parenting from mothers of all ages and I've seen equally great parenting from all ages so why should age matter?

I agree..had mine at 23(turned 24 the next day), 31, and 39. I do draw the line in the 60's and 70's as that's just pure craziness, but I am seeing more and more ladies who get their careers and relationships intact..do all the selfish things first in life before bringing their kids into the world in their mid to early 40's now. Seems to be a new trend. xx