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[ronito]

Having had kids through a wide spectrum id say that for the parent early twenties 20s best loads of energy not afraid to try new things career demands are few

But for the kid best is early 30s
you're more established and wiser. But you'll have less energy and your career demands are huge

 

[Bomber Bob]

>30

 

[TheKaeptain]

I'm wondering if most of the people here giving answers actually have kids. After 40? Are you nuts? Do you realize the level of energy required to raise kids? The sleepless nights? The older you get, the less energy you get. I had my daughter when I was 31- and she's 4 now. She's exhausting! Some kids are high energy and if you have one, you will be exhausted each and every day. When I finally get her to bed at around 8-9 each night I collapse in either my bed and pass out, or luckily have an hour or two to myself to decompress and unwind before I have to go to bed and start it again.

The younger you are, the more energy you will have-the sleepless nights won't be so hard.

Bro I feel you bro. I've been home for two weeks and my son kills me.

 

[justjohn]

I'm wondering if most of the people here giving answers actually have kids. After 40? Are you nuts? Do you realize the level of energy required to raise kids? The sleepless nights? The older you get, the less energy you get. I had my daughter when I was 31- and she's 4 now. She's exhausting! Some kids are high energy and if you have one, you will be exhausted each and every day. When I finally get her to bed at around 8-9 each night I collapse in either my bed and pass out, or luckily have an hour or two to myself to decompress and unwind before I have to go to bed and start it again.
.
The younger you are, the more energy you will have-the sleepless nights won't be so hard.

Advantages of being a man

 

[kswiston]

It depends on your maturity and life stage but I would say 30 give or take 5 years for your first child.

 

[Prologue]

My friend is 22 and is having his second child. Personally, I could never do that. Late 30's for me and thats if I even meet the right person to consider such a task.

 

[Dilly]

Passing on your genes.

I'd say that's a reason not to have any.

 

[PS3GamerKyle]

Surprised more of GAF hasn't said, "Never".

 

[DonasaurusRex]

When you yourself are no longer a child.

game set and /thread

 

[EleventhDoctor]

Surprised more of GAF hasn't said, "Never".

Hey all those videogames aren't going to play themselves.

 

[Salvadora]

I'd say that's a reason not to have any.

What's wrong with your genes? Are they ripped?

 

[alphaNoid]

Surprised more of GAF hasn't said, "Never".

They're sleeping in still lol

 

[Aesius]

The best age is 16-18 but for some reason that's looked down upon.
I waited a few more years. Earlier the better.

You have the worst opinions about everything.

 

[Monocle]

30 at the absolute minimum. It's an arbitrary number, but the point is you should be financially and emotionally stable before you have kids. Get some life experience and sort out your own issues first.

 

[newsguy]

I'm having one in about a month and I'm 32. In speaking to my new dad friend, I realize that no book or course can prepare you for it.

 

[xxracerxx]

Wife and I will probably try and have our first (maybe only) in a few years, we are both 30.

Plus we are buying a house and we will be damned if we can't enjoy it for a few years before kids!

EDIT: Oh fuck, I am 31 not 30. I am getting OLD!!

 

[Dilly]

What's wrong with your genes? Are they ripped?

I'd say there are better genes for future generations than mine.

 

[Necromanti]

In the grand scheme of things, I plan to adopt kids when I am in my early thirties.

 

[Figboy79]

I'm 33, my wife is 30. Still no kids yet, and not for lack of trying. Feels bad, man.

Anyway, I think anywhere from late 20's to early to mid 30's is the best time to have kids, especially if you feel you're ready for it. We're hoping to have our first by the end of next year. The past few years have been more about getting our household in order and learning to be more responsible. Now we feel we're ready to have a child.

Despite the cynics out there, bringing a child into this world now isn't any more perilous than it was back in the day. At least in my opinion.

I think you ultimately know when you're ready to take on the task. I wanted to have kids much, much sooner, but it didn't work out that way. It does get annoying constantly being harassed by our parents about when they can expect grandchildren (as if they don't already have enough!).

 

[Salvadora]

I'd say there are better genes for future generations than mine.

You don't know that. I've seen lots of ugly people with good looking children. Who knows what your genes could do!

 

[Cousteau]

Reminds me of something I saw on the news a few years back.
They showed a story about a mom who had a kid at 12.The kid in turn had a kid at 12.
And...wait for it......
That kid had a kid at 12.

So,the original mom became a grandma at 24 and great grandma at 36.
Im sure she will be entering the Guinness Book at some point.

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

You have the worst opinions about everything.

The risk of birth defects increases greatly with age. It's irresponsible to wait until you're 35-40 years old.

 

[Devil Theory]

You do.

Do you think anyone could realistically, objectively, and accurately, tell whether or not they themselves are ready to take care of another life?

I don't know of anyone skilled enough to look at themselves like that.

 

[newsguy]

The risk of birth defects increases greatly with age. It's irresponsible to wait until you're 35-40 years old.

That's true for women, not men.

 

[Chittagong]

I'm 33, and so is my wife. We can't imagine having kids any time soon, but the time is not on our side either.

Would I be able to fulfil my evolutionary purpose by donating sperm? Those tend to end up in good homes who have tried hard to get a kid, right?

 

[You Are Viewtiful]

The risk of birth defects increases greatly with age. It's irresponsible to wait until you're 35-40 years old.

It's also kind of irresponsible to have kids when you don't have a good, stable income and should be pursuing your education. >_>

I'd say late 20s to mid 30s is best. I have a feeling I won't have any 'till my late 30s though.

 

[xxracerxx]

The best age is 16-18 but for some reason that's looked down upon.
I waited a few more years. Earlier the better.

Because in today's US, most 16 to 18 year olds are not ready in the slightest to raise a child. It may be the most fertile time, but in no way is it the best time developmentally.

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

That's true for women, not men.

It's more important for women, but old men also produce defective babies.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...161673484394.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_health

It's also kind of irresponsible to have kids when you don't have a good, stable income and should be pursuing your education. >_>
.

That's true.

 

[Dipper145]

Late 20's to mid 30's is what I'm aiming for right now.. Who knows what the future will bring me though.

 

[puck1337]

I'm 34 with 3 kids, with the first coming at 28. I wish that had started a few years earlier, say at 25.

You can't run away from the effects of age. Being a middle-aged parent of small children is not only exhausting, but it comes with the corollary that you may simultaneously be providing care for your own elderly parents.

It's straightforward enough to establish a solid career by age 25, while still allowing for some of the "finding yourself" time that people seem to crave.

On that subject, I feel like our generation has gone overboard in the pursuit of some nebulous "I'll know it when I experience it" idea of fulfillment, and that it has a bizarre rider that living a fulfilling life is somehow mutually exclusive from child rearing and that you start wearing mom jeans and khakis as soon as you have kids.

You can still go to shows, play sports, etc., you just have to balance it with your child-rearing responsibilities. And that shouldn't be a surprise or a burden to anyone who actually wants to have kids.

Now, if you don't like the idea of making compromises to raise kids, then don't have kids. Nobody cares either way if you do.

Just don't expect that you can "get it out of your system" before you have kids - you can't.

Once you have kids, you'll still want to travel. You'll still want to drink beer and watch hockey all night. You'll still want to get tattoos. You'll still want to go to a club to watch some hot new Pitchfork darling. You'll still want to hang out around a bonfire until 3 a.m.

Life doesn't suddenly become an episode of Up All Night. Unless you actually want it that way, which is also fine.

 

[Conor 419]

A good friend of mine had a child at age 18 and she's a fucking wicked mother. This isn't a matter of age, this is a matter of intelligence, willpower, responsibility and the strength of the relationship you have with your partner, all of which will vary incredibly from couple to couple, regardless of age.

(Not much older than 40 tho cos Biology n' shit)

 

[EleventhDoctor]

I'm 34 with 3 kids, with the first coming at 28. I wish that had started a few years earlier, say at 25.

You can't run away from the effects of age. Being a middle-aged parent of small children is not only exhausting, but it comes with the corollary that you may simultaneously be providing care for your own elderly parents.

It's straightforward enough to establish a solid career by age 25, while still allowing for some of the "finding yourself" time that people seem to crave.

On that subject, I feel like our generation has gone overboard in the pursuit of some nebulous "I'll know it when I experience it" idea of fulfillment, and that it has a bizarre rider that living a fulfilling life is somehow mutually exclusive from child rearing and that you start wearing mom jeans and khakis as soon as you have kids.

You can still go to shows, play sports, etc., you just have to balance it with your child-rearing responsibilities. And that shouldn't be a surprise or a burden to anyone who actually wants to have kids.

Now, if you don't like the idea of making compromises to raise kids, then don't have kids. Nobody cares either way if you do.

Just don't expect that you can "get it out of your system" before you have kids - you can't.

Once you have kids, you'll still want to travel. You'll still want to drink beer and watch hockey all night. You'll still want to get tattoos. You'll still want to go to a club to watch some hot new Pitchfork darling. You'll still want to hang out around a bonfire until 3 a.m.

Life doesn't suddenly become an episode of Up All Night. Unless you actually want it that way, which is also fine.

You my friend said it all.
*brofist*

And I think being a dad to my kid is the greatest thing in the world. It's so much fun-but man....it does exhaust you.

 

[Cubsfan23]

never

 

[Xun]

40-45. By then you fully experienced what life has to offer and it's time to start Act III. Family.

Agreed, although this only really applies to men.

30 is too young for me personally.

 

[Snuggles]

26 isn't so bad. I'm not exactly financially prepared, but it's not like having a kid in high school or college, it's "normal" at this age and it'll be great in the future since I'll only be forty when the kid hits it's teenage years.

 

[Mister Wilhelm]

In general...

Men
Physically - whenever.
Emotionally - 26 to 40ish.

Women
Physically - 16-35
Emotionally - 26 to 40ish.

 

[Slayer-33]

31.

Ironclad ready as fuck.

 

[shira]

That's true for women, not men.

Nah sperm degrades too. Men can have kids into their 60's and whatever that record holder guy does. But generally speaking if you didn't sperm bank in your 20-30's there is increased risk for a 40ish dad trying to conceive

 

[Escape Goat]

Age has less importance than financial stability/security. I think late 20s is that age for most people.

 

[Ashes]

What's the actual point in having a child?

Your existence?

 

[legacyzero]

My wife and I were 27.

Perfect age IMO consider most if not all of my family members had their kids before 19 and it made for a tough upbringing.

27 give you time get bachelorhood out of the way, do the things that you want to do in life, etc. Cause once the kid comes, that focus drastically changes.

 

[CrankyJay]

Do it when you're financially stable and you and your partner had a few good years of traveling and fun. Wife and I both are 33 and just had our first.

 

[Stuart444]

Depends on a number of factors, most importantly:

1. If you feel ready and mature enough to have a child

2. if you can support them

I feel mature enough just now but it means nothing if I don't have a job that can support a child so yeah.

 

[Spat_triate]

You can't be ready for your first child. Father/Motherhood is something that you get better at as time goes by. How 'well' you do in the child's first few years depends on you and your spouse's maturity level, commitment to the job and the availability of a family/friend support system.
It is fucking hard work filled with long sleepless nights, frustration and self doubt, but it pays off big time every time your child's face lights up at the sight of you.

 

[crazy monkey]

25-27 when i had.

 

[RoyalFool]

It's not about your age, it's about how old you feel. If you've already done all the frivolous adventuring you want to do in your youthful lifetime then go ahead, but if you've never even been out of your own state, focus on that first.

 

[SolKane]

Your existence?

You're saying by having a child I won't die?

 

[smr00]

Depends on the person.

If you are matured and have financial security in your 20s i say 20s, that way you are still relatively young when your kid is a teenager and becomes an adult. If i wanted kids i would adopted one about 4-5 years ago but i have never had any desire for a child and i never will have one.

 

[mrkgoo]

The younger you are, the more energy you will have-the sleepless nights won't be so hard.

This.

It's something I didn't fully realise until I hit my 30s. Very suddenly, you get tired more easily. Aches and pains take longer to go away. Gaining weight is easier and losing it is harder. Part of it is an inevitable lifestyle, but also your body isn't getting any younger.

I went to the doctor's because of a hip pain. He said all I did was sprain it - I asked why does it still hurt after a month? He just said that it takes longer to heal when you get older from your 30s. Not so long ago, if I sprained something it'd be gone in a week. Now it's measured in months.

So yeah, just to keep up with your kids, earlier is better.

But rest assured, it's worth it. Having a child feels like I have discovered the meaning of life.

 

[Ashes]

You're saying by having a child I won't die?

No. Your parents had a child, therefore you exist.