How old do you have to be to be an "older mom?"

CollieJade · January 2010

In the intros post, a couple of people made references to being "older" or "among the older moms." Or something like that. I know we have some "young moms" in their early 20s on this board, but I was surprised by that "older" statement since most of you in my general age bracket I don't think of as old at all. Especially since being over 30 and starting a family is definitely a growing trend these days. What do you consider being an "older mom?"

MrsHoyt · January 2010

A couple of years older than I am when I have a baby. I will let you know at that time.

rssnlvr · January 2010

40+ for first kid.

brideonjuly8 · January 2010

I think of an older mom being someone who doesn't start having children until they are 35+.

shanwalk2 · January 2010

ummm. I'd say 33+ for your first child? That's completly arbitrary... but my first thought.

batsteph · January 2010

Honestly, I never really think about it. People are just moms or not moms to me. That may be because up here in DC, the "older mom" trend is even more pronounced than it is in Austin. We know lots of people who didn't even start having babies until they were 40+. We didn't have our first until I was 37, but we didn't even meet until we were well into our 30s and I was 35 when we married.

colleenor · January 2010

i guess i say older on here because i feel like i am older (34) than most of other regular posters on this board:) i will probably be 36 when i (hopefully) give birth to our second child and don't really consider it to "old"...it just is what it is:)

desmaandjon · January 2010

CollieJade:
What do you consider being an "older mom?"

me. Wink over 40 when having the first child (and now possibly the only child because jon doesn't want to risk my health or a baby's health by having a child in my mid 40s).

CollieJade · January 2010

desmaandjon:

CollieJade:
What do you consider being an "older mom?"

me. over 40 when having the first child (and now possibly the only child because jon doesn't want to risk my health or a baby's health by having a child in my mid 40s).

I think she got the cuteness for 5 children, so it's all good. Wink

shanwalk2 · January 2010

colleenor:
i guess i say older on here because i feel like i am older (34) than most of other regular posters on this board:) i will probably be 36 when i (hopefully) give birth to our second child and don't really consider it to "old"...it just is what it is:)

I agree with this. It is what it is... and it doesn't mean "old" it just is "older". I think a lot of it depends on where you grew up too. I grew up in a very small community and with me being at 25, and DH being 27... Most of the people I went to HS with have 1-2 kids. So to me, my view of "older" will be skewed, probably.

Example: My little sister (21), asked me over Christmas when we were having kids, because soon I was going to be an 'old' mom. She grew up in the same town, and is still there - so her perception is even different than mine.

Abrooks · January 2010

I think in general I am on the older side. I'll be 35 next month and I'm considered "advanced maternal age" this pregnancy. I don't feel old or think it's unusual. But I think on average, I'm older b/c we didn't start having kids until our 30s.

Emer · January 2010

Older = older than me. I'm 32, so I think 38 or so is an "older mom". But when I was 25, I would have thought of a 32 year old mom as an older mom.

lyndamf · January 2010

I say older because I feel I'm one of the older ones on the board with a new baby. I'm 33 with my first. I also tend to say older a lot more when referring to myself and DH because he is 39. Also, when I talk about having a second child, I think more about DH's age and how old he will be when that child goes to college, etc.

joyco · January 2010

lyndamf:
I say older because I feel I'm one of the older ones on the board with a new baby. I'm 33 with my first. I also tend to say older a lot more when referring to myself and DH because he is 39. Also, when I talk about having a second child, I think more about DH's age and how old he will be when that child goes to college, etc.

you are SOO not one of the older ones here! If you are, then I'm old too (I'm 32). So quit sayin' that!

abbysmom1005 · January 2010

I do not really consider myself an "older mom" in the general population kind of way but society does. I am 37, at 35 you are considered advanced maternal age for having a baby.

Saying that I *think* some of the comments might hae meant they are one of the "older moms" on this board? As in one of the moms that has been on this board for a long time? IDK I have not had time to go read all of the intro but that was my thought when I read your post. I could be way off though. Wink

Now I am curious and I am going to have to go search to see who said that.

ETA-OK never mind. By the responses on this thread I can see I was way off. LOL! I need to read the replies before I post!

So I am obiously an "older mom", but I did not put that in my intro. I had my 1st at 33 and 2nd at 36. Honestly though in general I do not feel like an older mom, but I do know I am one of the oldest on this board.

lyndamf · January 2010

joyco:
lyndamf:
I say older because I feel I'm one of the older ones on the board with a new baby. I'm 33 with my first. I also tend to say older a lot more when referring to myself and DH because he is 39. Also, when I talk about having a second child, I think more about DH's age and how old he will be when that child goes to college, etc.
you are SOO not one of the older ones here! If you are, then I'm old too (I'm 32). So quit sayin' that!

::saluting:: yes ma'am!!

EMTX · January 2010

MrsRosie:
brideonjuly8:
I think of an older mom being someone who doesn't start having children until they are 35+.

Ditto.

Yup.

abbysmom1005 · January 2010

Emer:
Older = older than me. I'm 32, so I think 38 or so is an "older mom". But when I was 25, I would have thought of a 32 year old mom as an older mom.

Whew! I have 6 months then! Stick out tongue

sundot · January 2010

I guess I just go with the medical description--advanced maternal age is for anyone 35 and over having babies. I was 35 with dd, 36 with ds, and I'll be 38 when #3 comes along. I just assumed I was an older mom. However, now that a 61 year old is having a baby, maybe 35 won't be considered ama anymore...

jakbtx · January 2010

haven't done an intro, but?i think i am one of the older moms on here as well, altho i don't feel old...but i was considered advanced maternal age for my 3rd...i turned 37 the day before he was born. i was 33 when i had my 1st. i still can't believe i'm 37, ?i was 11 when my mom turned 37! but, it is what it is...can i say i feel 27??? ?:)

JenniferL923 · January 2010

I can't decide if I think 35 is "older".....40 is definitely older. Maybe 38+?

Mainer-in-Texas · January 2010

shanwalk2:
ummm. I'd say 33+ for your first child? That's completly arbitrary... but my first thought.

Crying

Seriously, though, I'm not sure - I think I'll have a better idea once my kids are in school and I see how old I am in comparison to their classmates' moms.

SaraLouiseBride08 · January 2010

MrsRosie:

brideonjuly8:
I think of an older mom being someone who doesn't start having children until they are 35+.

Ditto.

This.

PrincessBrideSarah · January 2010

I'd say 40 or older having a baby is an "older" mom.

I know so many people having babies in their mid to late 30s that I really feel being older and pregnant has become a new norm.

AustinMimi · January 2010

I am not sure on this one. I think 40+ probably, but then again, I get asked all.the.time when we are having kids, so I assume that the general population thinks I am going to be an older mom (I am two weeks from 32).

Chicklit · January 2010

batsteph:
That may be because up here in DC, the "older mom" trend is even more pronounced than it is in Austin. We know lots of people who didn't even start having babies until they were 40+. We didn't have our first until I was 37, but we didn't even meet until we were well into our 30s and I was 35 when we married.

Steph, I'm moving to DC. I would love to be in a place where I don't have to hear 28 year olds worry that if they don't have a kid in the next year they will be "too old." (True Fact: I'm not complaining about anyone on the Bump/Nest. I heard this complaint three times to my face in the last year, and to a 34 year old, it's eyeroll inducing.) DH and I are in a similar situation. We didn't marry until our thirties and we want some alone time together before we start having kids.

amyliisa · January 2010

MrsRosie:
brideonjuly8:
I think of an older mom being someone who doesn't start having children until they are 35+.
Ditto.

That would be me, then. I'm 37 now. I refer to myself as an "older mom" on the boards because I do feel that there are so many nesties younger (and a lot who are much younger, like 10+ yrs) than me. I was 35 when I conceived and delivered DS, and at this rate, I'll be 38 when I deliver my 2nd (but hopefully still 37 when I conceive #2).

Plus, I'm pretty out of shape, so I just FEEL freaking old!