Kenyan Youths, This is Why you should make babies early in life
How does the age you are in when having your child determine how you parent? What is the best age to get your children? These are questions in every young persons in mind in kenya today.
In early years, everyone married and started having their children around the same age. In their teens and early 20s. But family planning, universal education and increased work opportunities for women outside of the home have changed all that.
In some communities people still start their families before their early 20s, but nowadays most educated urban couples start their families much later. Some even into their 40s and beyond. Does that have any consequences? Do we bring up children differently as we get older? There doesn’t seem to be a specific right time to start a family.
1. The 20s parent
Younger parents in the 20s still have the energy for running around with their kids, but our personality isn’t fully formed until we’re around 25 years old, so they still have a lot of growing up to do. And even with really good family support, having small children while you’re trying to finish college or launch your own career can be very hard. Both on the parents and their relationship with their children.
2. Isolation
As the average parenting age has increased, parents in their 20s often get isolated. Childless 20s friends suddenly find you boring, because all you will want to talk about is your children. They don’t understand your new life, or the pressures you’re now under.
3. Less energy
The inevitable drain on your energy can be significant for an older parent. You’ll have to get up in the middle of the night, or summon energy for throwing small toddlers into the air and running around a supermarket after them. First-time dads especially, in their 40s, 50s and even 60s can struggle with the physical and emotional demands of raising a baby, toddler, young children and the turbulent teens. Or later on with taking teenagers to and from discos and so on! Older parents may be less aware of modern concerns. Things can slip under the radar, for example the internet and social media.
4. Greater patience
An older dad will probably be more willing to spend more time with his children, and much better at answering a four-year-old’s seemingly endless list of questions because of his greater patience. But as children get older, they may tend to view their father’s age as an embarrassment. And if a parent’s in a different age group to other parents, they can lose out on support.
5. Older father, less intelligent child
A 2009 University of Cambridge study showed that advanced paternal age increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, as well as with dyslexia and reduced intelligence. The researchers saw that children sired by fathers in advanced age scored low on all tests except for those of motor skills.
6. Lots of responsibilities
Having children in your 40s means you’re likely to be the ‘sandwich generation,’ responsible both for the care of elderly parents as well as young children. You’re less likely to have the support of your peers, who will have different interests and priorities, and may even be thinking about retirement.
7. The 40s parent
Parents in their 40s probably have everything together the most. But their risk factors are much higher. This is the age when the chances of a whole lot of chromosomal and pregnancy complications begin to be significant. You’ll also have a tougher time getting and staying pregnant, and keeping up with an active baby and toddler.
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