Chapter 7: Breaking the Age Barrier-Delayed Parenthood

Summary

• The increasing number of older parents either deliberately postpone parenthood to save money and develop their relationship, or become parents later due to circumstance.
• There are both pros and cons to delayed parenthood. Advantages include having more self-knowledge and life experience, developed marriage relationship, financial stability, and better handle at career and parenthood balance.
• Disadvantages include health risks for both mother and baby, lower physical energy, chance of dying before child reaches adulthood, possible inability to see grandchildren, potential for facing retirement and empty-nest simultaneously, ageism, and increased fertility problems.
• Medical aspects reveal that while chances of fertility problems and birth defects increase with age, a healthy lifestyle can significantly increase the chances of having a healthy baby.
• Some women may prefer motherhood before thirty. This can be ideal for women who have not yet dedicated themselves to a career, to avoid potential issues getting pregnant later in life.
• Despite challenges and fears about energy and age, once the child arrives, most older parents find themselves rejuvenated and capable.
• Ways to minimize the problems of older parenting are suggested, such as maintaining physical fitness, ensuring overall health is in check, staying active, planning retirement, and constructing meaningful interactions between child and grandparents.
• Reasons for delaying parenthood are numerous, from waiting for the right partner, recovering from divorce, saving money, addressing health problems, to years of dealing with infertility or waiting for adoption.
• The chapter concludes with a note to be understanding when discussing delayed parenthood with relatives or in-laws, acknowledging that it is not always a choice but sometimes a result of life’s circumstances.