Hello!

24 Comments

As part of the growing demographic of ‘older’ Mums, we are often told the disadvantages of having children in our late 30’s and 40’s. The increased risk of disabilities and genetic imbalances, the lower chance of fertility and the more stress and strain on our bodies; not to mention that we won’t necessarily be around for our grandchildren nor great-grand children.

But there are some advantages too, particularly if you have been working in the same job for some time.

1. You are more likely to have accrued significant amounts of sick leave, which can be used for doctor’s appointments and tests rather than using annual leave. I found this to be a bonus during my pregnancy as I didn’t have to juggle hours to get where I needed to be.

2. You can access long service leave as well as any paid maternity leave that is in your Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. Both I and hubby had this provision, with the intention of taking an overseas holiday, but our lovely little surprise baby is instead going to get the benefit of two parents being at home for the first 8 weeks rather than me trying to cope on my own (as family are not close by).

3. If you have a mortgage, it could be much smaller and thereby reduce the financial pressures during the time of living off one wage. We were fortunate that I am a fairly conservative spender and were already on track to pay off our mortgage this year, which we should still be able to do. However you can also look at re-financing or using some of the equity in your home (if you have a redraw facility available) to assist with the associated costs of setting up a nursery and preparing for baby’s arrival.

4. Hopefully you will have already made the ‘big’ purchases in life. Overseas holidays, new cars and other home electronic items may have already found their way into your home or lifestyle, which makes it easier to go without them for the next few years whilst you establish your family and save for other things that are now much more important.

None of these are incentives for delaying having a baby; but it’s nice to know that for us ‘older’ Mums who are just getting started that there are some advantages too.


Posted by gouldie, 16th May 2014


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  • nice exellent

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  • Younger or older there is advantages and disadvantages.

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  • It can’t have been easy for you, not having family nearby. I know what that’s like, as I lived overseas for a couple of years, and family was what I missed the most. Full points to you and your hubby for having plans in place so that you can enjoy parenthood without some of the stresses that many couples face. I hope that things continue to go well for you all.

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  • I wish! When we finally managed to have a bub, I got the sack, we were still renting, and had not had the money to do any travelling!

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  • there are always positives :)

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  • I’m an older mum. There are advantages and disadvantages to being both an older and a younger mum. Everyone works out what’s best for themselves given their own circumstances.

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  • Very true, people rarely mention the possible financial benefits of being an older mum :)

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  • I’m an older mum, 37 when I had our daughter and agree there are a lot of advantages – I can’t see any disadvantages for us at this stage, we’re all coasting along ok.

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  • they are all great reasons to try and delay having a baby

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  • There are always struggles at any age to have a family. There are also pros and cons to both scenarios.

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  • You’re right; there are pluses and minuses to having a baby at any age. Good luck!

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  • I am also a older mum I had my first child at the age of 34 and I have no regrets in waiting as I know if I had a child when I was younger I know I would have not been able to cope mentally or financially


    • Me too Sisterhood27. I think I got sick of hearing the negative comments about older Mums, so I wanted to highlight some things that I hadn’t seen written anywhere else – hence this story.

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  • My girlfriend said something to me the other day, about how much better mum i was than her. my reply was. “I was there when you had your kids, you did fabulous. I had mine ten years after you, I was older and I have money, it makes a huge difference.” She’s a great mum and her kids are super special, she worked full time and didn’t have the huge support network that i have. Everyone has their own journey.

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  • There are so many benefits of being older when you decide to have children. I would have thought that realistically in this economic climate it is probably more the norm now

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  • I have to agree being an older parent has its pros & cons. I feel I can better provide for my children as I am more set up financially & have made the big purchases & nearly paid off the mortgage. The disadvantage is cracking joints when trying to play on the floor with your children!

    Reply

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