Does age matter when it comes to having children?

I was Skyping with Will and my sister in law a couple of days ago, when the conversation turned to M.I.L.F.S. (as my mum has always been one). SIL mentioned how crazy it was that one of her friend’s mums is coming up to her 50th birthday, which at the age of 26 to her felt strange. My immediate reaction was also one of ‘crikey, she must have been young when she gave birth’, but after discussing it further we realised she would have been 24. As in my age. As in the age I will be when Baby H arrives (should she arrive on time – if she comes 4 days or more later I will be 25).

I was surprised at how much of a shock this was to me – I hadn’t thought far in advance to how old I would be when baby ‘grows up’.

I’ve already noticed a slight age difference between myself and the other mums-to-be in the waiting room at the hospital, and I imagine that I will notice this more and more when baby arrives. I fully expect to be one of the younger mums at baby groups and the school gates, especially within the area we live in. This doesn’t bother me at all as I’ve always felt slightly wise beyond my years (hah! – others may disagree) and some of my very best friends are older than me (hi, Su!). But will it make me a better mother?

I don’t think it will. I think it may make me a different kind of mother, but not a better one. I’ve been working for 7 years now and feel accomplished with my career so I don’t feel I’ve missed out in that respect, and I’m lucky enough to work in a sector that I’ll be able to keep in touch with from home. Will and I have been a couple for 7 years so I don’t feel that we need any more time as a couple before we bring children into our little family. I’ve never travelled, but I’ve never felt the need to – I much prefer holidays, infinity pools and good restaurants to backpacks and hostels! I’m slightly regretful that we don’t own a property in London, though with prices the way they are and no desire to move outside the city, who knows when this would have happened?

I hope my age will mean I’m energetic, fun and trusting of my instincts when bringing up our children.

How old were you when you became a mum (or a dad)? Do you think it was the right age for you?

The above photo is of Su, me and Will – it was snapped on my 21st birthday (we’d just attended a ball with my mum and dad and brother) and to say we were worse for wear is an understatement!