[kimbo17]

How old is too old to bring another child into a family? That is the question running around our house right now. Both me and my dh are 40 and feel at times like our 2 1/2 year old son runs circles around us. I realize 40 isn't old but when I think of the future, we will almost be 60 when our son graduates high school.

Just curious if there is anyone else our age just starting the process or thinking of a second, third,etc??

[lovemy6]

I'm 38 years older than my youngest. When I was 41, she was placed with us, along with her 5 year old brother and another sibling set 10 and 12!

I was/am healthy and love kids. At 48, I'd probably take a newborn right now and do fine with him/her, except I'd have to do it as a single mom, bc dh would leave

[mombyfaith]

I was 40 when we brought dd home and 43 when we brought ds home. Children will definitely help keep you young!

[saj]

Honey, I was mid 50's when I adopted an 8 week old. Two weeks later I was handed a 13 month old and adopted him as well. I am now 62 with a nine and ten year old. I am definately the oldest mom in the park, the PTA, the soccer field and any other kid related group. My oldest son is 44 for goodness sakes. My grand kids babysit for my children. Am I crazy??? Probably, but I can run circles around most of the other mothers and definately the other women my age. I am a room mother at school and a Brownie leader. Our house is where all the kids want to play. I'm not saying its for everyone, but if you want another child, I say go for it.

Sincerely,
Saj

[annaguat]

DH will be 52 soon and I am 45. Our youngest 2 from 12 children are 3 1/2. We are loving it. I do think it is important for a child to have a good support system of extended relatives or like relatives friends just incase but this is probabaly good with a younger parent too. As long as you are able to parent and have the energy and time. Also a slightly older or older child might be a better fit for some parents. Best wishes on your parenting journey. Anna

[Devora]

I was thinking along this same lines the other day. I'm 39, my husband is 47, and our son is 4-1/2. In contrast, when I was 4-1/2 my parents were only 26.

I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that while we are very different in our parenting ages than our parents' generations, later parenting is now very common. I think that does affect the availability of social support for you as a parent, how you are viewed, and the fact that your child will have quite a few friends/peers whose parents are in your same age bracket. So it's not like they are the only ones who will have parents "as old" as you.

I am more aware of the need to be healthier. Although my commitment to my health shifted in a positive direction when I became a parent, because my 63-year old father had a heart attack this weekend I'm even more aware now of the fact that I can't make any more excuses about shedding those extra pounds. Not only do I want to live as long and healthy as possible, but if I don't want my son to deal with parental health issues/loss at an early age then that is up to me to ensure. (Hence, my renewed efforts to eat healthy with no cutting corners or excuses started today and not tomorrow -- the old excuse of "it's a holiday; enjoy" seemed lame; and I'm calling tomorrow for a physical.)

[icem]

Well I was 52 and my husband 45 when Gabriela came home.No regrets here!!

ICEM

[cantwait2bmommy]

I will be 40 this year and dh will be 45. We have a 21 month old and are waiting for our 27 month old to come home. Go for it!!!! I am with the pp, the kiddos keep us young. :=)

[jamilahlashwe]

I am 41 and DH is 63.....Juanito is 2 and 2 months old....

[momof6plus1]

I'm not sure what others think, but we brought home our 7th child last summer. I was 46 and dear husband was 51. We figure it will either keep us very young or we will age quickly.

[DeeVee]

Originally Posted by momof6plus1

I'm not sure what others think, but we brought home our 7th child last summer. I was 46 and dear husband was 51. We figure it will either keep us very young or we will age quickly.

LOL! DH was saying the same thing the other day. I am 41 and DH is 48, and we have five children, ages 6 and under. It's like a pre-school in our house every day, but we sure have fun!

[my someone]

I've got to be honest here. I'm 48 and I have a very active 3.5 yr old, and there are days when I wonder if it's fair to him to have such an "old" mom. Don't get me wrong. People often think I'm 10 yrs younger than I am and most days I'm right there with him. But without close family or friends as "back up", I'm often exhausted to the point of tears. It doesn't seem to matter to him, though. He's a sweetheart who just goes with the flow.

Our son's birthmother recently contacted us to say she was expecting again and to ask if we'd be interested in adopting her new baby. After many long, sleepless nights we had to decline, for many reasons. This one was the most resounding, though: would it be fair to an 18 yr old girl to have a mother of 66 when she was graduating high school? For us, the answer was no.

She ended up parenting the baby. It worked out for all of us the way it was supposed to be. In our situation, we only have enough time, energy and resources for the two wonderful children we now parent. We got a late start, are blessed beyond description, but can't imagine adding any more children to our family at our ages.

[JoshGuat]

Age is just a number in the mind. If you are physically and mentally up to it, I say go for it! If it is in your heart then how can you really deny that God will Bless you and give you strength as you go along your journey

[coachmom]

I will be 49 in October along with hubby and we just brought home a 2 yr old from Russia(which makes 7!). Age is only how you feel. If you feel God is leading you to it, then He will make it all work out.
Coachmom

[susy...patience]

I'm a single mom at 49 of a 2-year old. Frankly, I'm often exhausted -- fell asleep putting DD to sleep tonight & woke up to read forum. As I tell my DD if she plays too rough with me.....be gentle with Mama, she is old and she will break.

On serious note, I do sometimes worry that I am too old to do this successfully. Even if I improve my health, there is still chance I will die early in DD's life. I do have younger sibling with children close to DD's age so there are others in her family (and younger aunt/uncle) to lean upon. I think it's a question that only you can answer for yourself and your situation.