The idea of waiting until you're 30 to have kids is a common one but is less simple than most people think.
If you're with someone in your 20s and you both agree to it then it's great, but if you aren't then the whole timing thing is a long way from simple. You're talking about finding someone, checking they're the right someone, settling down, marriage, kids etc. is a pretty long and complex chain to just assume will happen, and you're up against either your or your partners ticking biological clock (fertility decreasing as you get older and dropping off pretty sharply in your 30s).
It's all doable but I would say if your plan is to be having kids in your early 30s, that's a plan that you need to start acting on in your mid 20s rather than finding yourself single at the age of 30 and having to start there.
There are benefits to having children earlier. They get to know their grandparents more. You have more energy for them. You get to know them for more of your life.
Not sure these benefits outweigh increased stability or other things, but they are worth considering.
It's a decision you need to make - play now or play later. We chose to have our kids early on, so we have more energy to play with them, and once they are grown we still have enough energy to do whatever we would like to do then.
Comments
Are kids and a family really a big thing before your thirties in the US?
The idea of waiting until you're 30 to have kids is a common one but is less simple than most people think.
If you're with someone in your 20s and you both agree to it then it's great, but if you aren't then the whole timing thing is a long way from simple. You're talking about finding someone, checking they're the right someone, settling down, marriage, kids etc. is a pretty long and complex chain to just assume will happen, and you're up against either your or your partners ticking biological clock (fertility decreasing as you get older and dropping off pretty sharply in your 30s).
It's all doable but I would say if your plan is to be having kids in your early 30s, that's a plan that you need to start acting on in your mid 20s rather than finding yourself single at the age of 30 and having to start there.
There are benefits to having children earlier. They get to know their grandparents more. You have more energy for them. You get to know them for more of your life.
Not sure these benefits outweigh increased stability or other things, but they are worth considering.
It's a decision you need to make - play now or play later. We chose to have our kids early on, so we have more energy to play with them, and once they are grown we still have enough energy to do whatever we would like to do then.