At what age did you become a parent?

[GilbertGrape]

I'm in the 35-40 age bracket, no kids.

[Asterix]

42 and trying to have kids.

As an aside - I still marvel at the fact that when my father was my age, he dropped his 19yr old son off, me, at a barracks in Arborfield to join the Army.

[WildCards]

I was 18. TBH, I now look back and think it was a very good thing for me, support from family on both sides helped massively but now at 30 i'm able/more willing to do alot more for my kids than other dads seem to do at 40+. That's a generalisation I know, but i'm going from my own experiences. My career has had to develop at the same rate as my children, so i've never been in a position where i've had to choose as such, whereas I think you do if youv'e already carved out a career before you have children.

It's early, i'm not entirely sure i'm getting my point across well.

[ewenm]

34 (me) and 36 (the OH).

[CommanderJameson]

I was 20. Jameson Jr is now 18, working part-time and at college. It's nice to think that he'll be self-sufficient by the time my hair disappears, and I'm forced into buying leather trousers and ludicrous sports cars in a pathetic attempt to cling onto my youth.

My sister is 3 years younger than me, and has two children under two. My BiL will be slubbing round in a diesel Mondeo for the next 20 years.

[muntz]Ha! Ha![/muntz], quite frankly.

[XJSJohn]

Asterix said:

42 and trying to have kids.
.

38 and trying not to have kids.

[doosht]

I was 34 (39 now). Still think that was too early ... your life certainly changes once your a Dad.

[LD1Racing]

I will be 33 in October, the OH will be 28. Can't wait!

[CommanderJameson]

doosht said:

I was 34 (39 now). Still think that was too early ... your life certainly changes once your a Dad.

I think earlier is better (within reason and subject to circumstances, of course), if for no other reason that if my dad had left it until his late 30s to have children, he'd have died when I was about 20 - whilst it was just as bad that he died when I was 32, at least I had a bit of grown-up time with him and was a functional adult, and he'd met his grandson, etc.

Having Jameson Jr early also meant that my son had a period of time where he had 6 great-grandparents; not only did he get a real sense of history and whatnot (what did you do in the war, grandad?) but it meant bounteous Christmases for him.

[jshell]

Me 44, OH 33. Little 'un is 19 weeks old now. Best thing ever.

[Silver940]

30, now 38 and got 4 of the little blighters!

[toasty]

Just turned 41, OH 35, beginning to think about having kids now.

[Justayellowbadge]

36

[cal72]

25

[CedGTV]

Me 40, Other half 38. 7 years ago.

Late starters but wouldn't change it as things have worked out just fine.

Going to see his school work tonight at his school, which is nice.

[Mr AJ]

23 + 25 For me and the Mrs.

[RemaL]

I was 25. and second daughter come along age 27. Would not change a thing and glad I had kids at that age

[davido140]

I was 22, much the same as commanderJ I'm looking forward to mini-me (now 11) being self sufficient by my early 40's so I can concentrate on comb-overs, medallions, chest wigs and replica ferraris!

[JFReturns]

This thread is making me feel better. I'm 30, want nippers but do not feel ready yet!

[davido140]

JFReturns said:

This thread is making me feel better. I'm 30, want nippers but do not feel ready yet!

Just think, if you have one at 40, by the time they leave home you'll be on a waiting list for a new hip!

ETA my advice would be not to bother by the way, I love my son but I dont want any more, of course if you never have them, you dont know what you're missing, so dont have them, ignorance is bliss IMHO!

Enjoy that 911 GT2 which you can buy with the money saved!