Pros and cons of having a baby young

There is no perfect time to have kids, and that’s something pretty much any parent will agree on.

There isn’t a list of requirements of how to win at parenting.

It’s not about the size of your house or the amount of money in your bank account.

It doesn’t really matter where you are in your career; there are pros and cons to having kids when you’re in a junior position and when you’re a CEO.

It doesn’t matter whether your pregnancy is planned or unplanned, this won’t determine the kind of mother you are.

Most parents would agree that the perfect time to have kids is when you have them. Once that squishy bundle of newborn perfection hits your arms, you’ll never look back. It won’t matter whether you ended up having kids earlier or later than planned, once you fall in love with your newborn, you’ll know things worked out for the best.

Becoming a young parent isn’t without its challenges. You may be the only one of your friends with a child, and sometimes feel left out when everyone else is still busy partying. You may not be as financially secure as the older mama at baby group. You may wish you’d had time to travel, or a few more years to focus on your career before your priorities shifted. You may feel all of these things, or none of them. Perhaps you’re too busy enjoying the perks of having kids when you’re still young, and there are lots of them!

Here are some of the awesome things about being a young parent:

#1: You’re Better Equipped To Handle Sleepless Nights

There aren’t many jobs where ability to remain awake indefinitely is a key concern, but parenting is one of them. Babies and young children aren’t famous for their love of sleeping through the night. For the first couple of years you’ll be woken up throughout the night. Kids wake up early and are full of energy even after a night of broken sleep.

One of the benefits of being a young parent, is that you will still have some of that youthful energy to help get you through the next day. After all, just a year ago you were out partying through the night, so you’re used to staying up late. You’ll still be tired, but you’ll have a trump card up your sleeve!

#2: There’s Less Risk Of Complications

Maternal age plays a big part in whether you’re able to enjoy a healthy pregnancy. Older mamas are more likely to face a number of potential health problems including fertility problems, congenital abnormality, pre-eclampsia and labour complications.

It’s not easy being an older mama. As a young mama, you are less likely to encounter the same difficulties.

#3: Your Kids Are More Likely To Have Active Grandparents

Grandparents differ from family to family. Some are very elderly and spend their time handing out toffees from the comfort of their armchairs. Others are young, fit and running after the grandkids at the park.

Having kids when you’re still young means your kids may get to enjoy the experience of having active grandparents. It also means your parents will be able to enjoy the luxury of really getting to know their grandkids, because they’ll still be young and healthy enough to enjoy them.

#4: People Will Comment On How Young You Are Long Into Old Age

When you first become a young mama, constantly being reminded of how young you are may not be a good thing. In fact, it might make you pretty darn mad. But, as you hit 30, those words will be a little easier on the ears. Having kids young is the closest thing to eternal youth. Even in your 80s, the ladies at the bingo club will be commenting on how young you are for a great great grandma.

#5: You’ll Get To Meet Those Great Great Grandkids

And speaking of being a great great grandma, you’ll have more chance of meeting those exciting new additions to the family. Having kids 10 years earlier than your friends could give you an extra 10 years to meet any great grandkids and great great grandkids that might be welcomed into your family.

#6: Lower Expectations

It’s not necessarily a pleasant thing when people have low expectations of you, but sadly, as a young mama this is something you may have to get used to. You may come across the occasional person who judges you based simply on your age. Simply put, some people will assume you’re not as good a mama as the 40 year old you’re stood next to.

This is crap, and you know it. And now you can prove them wrong. You get to show the world just how amazing young mamas can be. You can parent proudly and show those making judgments just how foolish they are.

#7: You’ll Enjoy Life After Kids

Having children earlier in life means you’ll be younger when your kids eventually move out. They’ll head off to college or move out of the family home, and you’ll be young enough to really enjoy this period. You’ll still be young enough to travel, and do all the things you occasionally wonder if you’re missing out on. You might not yet be at retirement age, but that also means you’ll probably be in better health than the average retiree. You’ll be able to climb Machu Picchu, explore the Amazon and climb Everest, if you want to.

#8: You Have More Control Over The Age Gap

As a younger mum, you’ve probably never heard the ticktock of your biological clock. You’re not worried about rushing for another baby before your eggs begin to age. Instead, you can make decisions about when to have another baby based simply on when works best for your family.

You might choose to wait a few years before trying again, or perhaps you love the idea of a small gap, but either way it’ll be a choice made without the worry of your advancing age. If you’re wondering when the best time to have another baby is, check out BellyBelly’s article here.

#9: You’ll Be The Cool Mama

This probably isn’t a reason to actively seek out having kids young, but it is undeniably one of the great perks of being a young mama. As your kids grow, the age gap between you will appear to lessen. If you’re the young mama in your child’s group of friends, you’re going to be the cool one.

You’ll be the parent who wears fashionable clothes, the one who appreciates younger music, and the one who remembers what it’s like to be a teenager. You should expect to be told how cool you are by all of your kid’s friends, though don’t expect your kid to be overly thrilled about it.

#10: You’ll Totally Be Mistaken For An Older Sister One Day

Yep, your kids may not be too pleased about this one, but younger mamas are sometimes mistaken for older siblings. You should expect to spend your child’s teenage years repeatedly explaining that you’re actually the mama. And being forced to share the details of your skincare regime, of course.

…

Being a mama at any age has its perks, but being a young mama sometimes means hearing about the perceived downside of having children young. If you’re a young mama, remember these perks and live them up to their fullest!

What are the cons of having a baby at a young age?

Is it better to have babies young?

What are the benefits of having a child at a young age?

What is the healthiest age to have a baby?