What age is too young to be a parent??

Question

I have just turned 23 and want to try for a baby...i am worried that i will be discriminated against...most mums these days are 30something, am I too young to be a mum in some eyes?? What are your opinions about 20somethings as new parents?

Answer 1

Anybody under the age of 18 is too young to be a parent.

Answer 2

im 19 and a mom of 2!! i dont think its so much of age in the numbers but maturity and being able to support a child...most moms in their 30s decided to put a career before having childern, i personally think its selfish and you should have kids younger, your body takes it better and you have more energy, and you will actually live to see your grandchildern!

Answer 3

As long as you are stable (mentally and financially) then you should have a child when you feel ready without worrying about what others think. I personally do not think that 23 is too young. I gave birth to my first child at the age of 18 and I will be 22 when I give birth to my 3rd child. If you are ready then I say go for it, you have more energy as a young mom than you would as an older mom. Good luck!

Answer 4

Growing up I knew what I wanted and that was kids by the time I hit my mid 20's. I had one at 21 and another at 23. That's the best thing i've ever done. Now I think you should be married first before you have kids.

Answer 5

That is the perfect age for you to start parenting. To me, there is no such thing as too old or too young. The only thing that matters is that you can provide for your child and love him/her to the max. And don't think about "some eyes". s***w them and everybody else. It's what you want when you want it. Coming from an 18 yr old with a beautiful 3 yr old daughter. I was young but we made it. She's healthy, I love her, and mos of all I care less of other people and more of her. Good luck and I wish you the best for you and yours.

Answer 6

15 butttttt that 15 yr old could be a BETTER parent than the 35 yr old!!!!

its on how good u are!!!!!

i was a teen mom. my niece was 15

Answer 7

I think if you are mature enough to care for the child and have a stable home then there isn't a certain age that a person should be when they have a child. I was 20 when I had my first, 24 when I had my second, and I will be 28 when I have my third and I have never felt too young. In fact when I go to school functions with my oldest, I am about the same age as my daughter's peers' parents and even older than some.

Answer 8

I believe as long as your going to be a loving mother then it is a good time. So many people have kids they totally ignore or are mean to. I mean those ones should have given them up for adoption or taken parenting classes. A child deserves the best from its parents. I was 19 when I got pregnant and 20 when I had her. I'll admit I was nervous but I never felt oh my god what did i get myself into, what am i going to do now.. I thought wow, this is wonderful I can't wait. It didn't really sink in until I felt the baby kicking and all the fun stretch marks that came along with the growing belly. I was fine up until the 9th month and then realized- whats it gonna feel like when the baby comes? I would ask my mom every time I saw her how it felt and how did she know it was time. She just said oh you'll know honey!!!

now I'm pregnant with #2  and found out its another girl!! I am just as excited if not more because my 3 year old is soooo  excited to be a big sister!! I can't wait, and would totally recommend you having one if your ready. Your not to young and if your partner feels the same way then thats wonderful..  best of luck to you!

Answer 9

i think that is fine. I dont think there is any age that is to young as long as they can care and love for a baby.

Answer 10

I don't think you're too young! I'm 28 and I'm a mother :)

Good question - have a star!

-Lilly

Answer 11

no not at all, it would be different if you were 12-13. your an adult and there are other people that age that are parents

Answer 12

I dont think you're too young. I'm 17 and have a 6 month old son. Maybe I was a little younger than normal, but I'm a good mother. To me, I think it all depends on whether or not you can raise the baby. Some 35 year old women are not mature enough/ready/willing to raise a baby. I think 23 is a perfect age. That was always my plan, to have my first baby when I was 23/24..but oh well. And good luck.

Answer 13

I am 25 and I have four kids. I can tell you for a fact that as soon as you have kids traveling does not matter as much as it did before you were a mom. Also I will only be 40 when my youngest is going to college so me and my hubby can retire and travel all we want. We have also traveled alot with out kids it is not impossible just a little more interesting.  As long as you have a loving stable enviroment for the baby to come home to it does not matter how old you are. So if you and your husband are sure that you are ready for it go for it. One  more thing do you really want to be like 60 when your kids graduate high school.  My four kids are the biggest blessing in my whole life. good luck.

Answer 14

Age is not really a determining factor. What is most important is whether or not you are ready to sacrifice everything for the well being of a child. Something as simple as going to the store will become an event once you've had a child. Forget the movies, eating out, etc.You also must be sure you have a solid support system in place. Mainly a husband or stable father. The statistics of drug abuse, crime, suicide, and abusive behavior for fatherless children is scary. Children are also very expensive. The average first year cost of a baby is $20,000. Once your financial, professional, and personal situation is ready then you are. Regardless of age. Most young parents are discriminated against because it is suspected that someone in their early twenties could not possibly have all these things in order. Of course that is not to say that it is impossible for a 23yr old to be a successful parent. They simply need be mature enough to leave behind their own wants and needs in order to put their child foremost.

Answer 15

1st of all, in my opinion as long as you are at least 21 and responsible you are old enuff. Under 18 is a definite no. But you shouldn't care what others think, you're a legal adult, you don't have to wait till your like 30, Unless you wanna wait. Just make sure you get the schooling and traveling out of the way before you settle down and have kids, it is practically impossible to do those things once you're a parent, unless you have lots of money and a great and reliable babysitter.

Answer 16

I was 19 when I had my first child and 21 with my 2nd one.  Who cares what people say about it.  Someone that you know is not going to be perfectly happy with the idea and probably try to tell you that you are too young, but as long as you are happy and ready for a child then what does it matter? Just make sure you are ready for the responsibility that comes along with the baby.

Answer 17

Im 24, I have a 6 year old and a two year old. And PROUD of it! Im married to the most wonderful man in the world and we are trying for #3! Good luck!

Answer 18

In my opinion, the early twenties is too young to be a mother. Personally, i would wait for at least the mid-twenties or later. My mother had me when she was thirty-five. So, unless you are absolutely sure you have the education and resources necessary to care for a child AND hold a decent job and marriage, then you should wait until you do have those things to have a child.

another thing to think about, are you married? Because women who have children without being married can also be discriminated against by some people. This is a hard decision to make and i wish you the best of luck that you pick the choice that is best for you--and your baby!  

Answer 19

I think the first post said it best, that you can "care and love" the child.  The part here that often makes a difference with age is the care part.  And a big part of that is the financial responsibility.  This often comes with age, as education, job experience, and wealth often grow with age.  So at 23, as long as you can do both, go for it.

Answer 20

I was 24 when I got pregnant with our first child, that was in 2001. I was 25 when I had her. I think that you should maybe wait until you are closer to 24, that way in case you get pregnant quickly you don't have the gut feeling you should have waited. But only you can tell if you are ready. I think that a good age to start having kids is between 24 and 32. I don't think that you should start a family before 24 or after 32. As a parent you need to be active and willing to do things with your children. If you are an older parent, not saying that older parents are bad, you won't have as much energy to do things with you child. Good luck and you will know when you are ready, just wait for the feeling. Everyone will get it at some point, I had it three times, which is why we have three children!

Answer 21

Honestly, if you are in a stable relationship and can financially support a baby, I don't think 23 is that young. You ARE an adult now, it's not like you're still living in your parent's house with some deadbeat boyfriend with no job.

I had my twin girls when I was 25, I'm 28 now and don't regret having them at what most people would consider an early age.

Answer 22

Are you financially secure, buying your own house/ condo , have insurance and maternity leave that pays you while your not able to work? married or have a mate that you trust with all your heart?  don't need any form of public assistance.  Able to pay for extended hospital stay if the child is premature or sick. or if you have complications  there are a lot of variables educate yourself about the costs associated with having a child!

my neighbors house is in foreclosure because they got pregnant and had NO plan. they have to be out in 19 days. With a NEWBORN and no where to go.

Preparation prevents perspiration