re: If you started having children later in life...

Quoting !!Katie!!:" Old spinster at 22? Hehehe.... I'm sorry, I'm not trying to downplay the way you're feeling, but you ... [snip!] ... isn't usually an issue at that age. Most often the fertility issues start later than that....like late 30's - 40's.  "

All of this. It depends on OP's area but up here it's almost unheard of to have a kid before 25.

Quoting ILOVEWINE:" No way! I was able to experience college, living in a sorority, traveling the world, and saving a smurf ... [snip!] ... funds and a retirment. We also are have such different values than we did at 21/22. And no we had no issues getting pregnant."

 
Exactly how I feel.

Quoting Supafly★:" All of this. It depends on OP's area but up here it's almost unheard of to have a kid before 25."

Very true. I lived in NJ for a long time...and up there, 29 or even 30 was a perfectly acceptable and normal age to start. Down here in TN, they start SUPER early.

Quoting !!Katie!!:" Very true. I lived in NJ for a long time...and up there, 29 or even 30 was a perfectly acceptable and normal age to start. Down here in TN, they start SUPER early. "

I have never heard of so many teen moms until I joined BG. I figured I'd fit in since I had my first at 19 but now I'm 23 and I feel kind of old lol.

Quoting Supafly★:" I have never heard of so many teen moms until I joined BG. I figured I'd fit in since I had my first at 19 but now I'm 23 and I feel kind of old lol. "

lol....nope, 23 is extremely young. Trust me  

Quoting !!Katie!!:" lol....nope, 23 is extremely young. Trust me  "

Yeah I know. When I tell someone IRL I have 2 kids they're like  . But on here 23 year olds are either on their 4th kid or didn't start yet lol.

I live in the Midwest, and people get married here a lot younger than places like Massachusetts, New York, California.....and to be engaged at 19 is perfectly the norm.

Quoting Supafly★:" I have never heard of so many teen moms until I joined BG. I figured I'd fit in since I had my first at 19 but now I'm 23 and I feel kind of old lol. "

i feel old on this site sometimes too, and i'm only 24.

Quoting Back to Noob Status:" I live in the Midwest, and people get married here a lot younger than places like Massachusetts, New York, California.....and to be engaged at 19 is perfectly the norm. "

Yeah I know but you have so much time. People in the Midwest don't die earlier so you can wait if you want. Of course it's your choice but don't feel pressured into such a huge choice because of everyone around you.

Quoting Supafly★:" Yeah I know but you have so much time. People in the Midwest don't die earlier so you can wait if you ... [snip!] ... wait if you want. Of course it's your choice but don't feel pressured into such a huge choice because of everyone around you. "

Oh, but we are so fat, I think that cuts twenty years off our lives.  

I do feel pressured, not from everyone else, but from my biological clock. I would be devastated if I found out that I couldn't have any children because I waited too late.  

Quoting Supafly★:" Yeah I know but you have so much time. People in the Midwest don't die earlier so you can wait if you ... [snip!] ... wait if you want. Of course it's your choice but don't feel pressured into such a huge choice because of everyone around you. "

Oh, but we are so fat, I think that cuts twenty years off our lives.  

I do feel pressured, not from everyone else, but from my biological clock. I would be devastated if I found out that I couldn't have any children because I waited too late.  

Quoting Back to Noob Status:" Oh, but we are so fat, I think that cuts twenty years off our lives.   I do feel pressured, not ... [snip!] ... from my biological clock. I would be devastated if I found out that I couldn't have any children because I waited too late.  "

As someone on here said, late 20's is prime time to have a baby. Yes, early 20's is good too but in our society it's rare that a 21/22 year old has a stable enough life to bring kids into this world. A house, career, husband.....those are the things you should be thinking about. If you have all those things, relax and enjoy being young for a little while.   In the end it's up to you.

I'm glad I had mine young. there's never been a time where I wish I had waited. I'm 28

I live in an area with good schools, a good economy, mostly college-educated people and they tend to wait. Those who get engaged at 19/20 usually call it off.
While I'm at the higher end of the range (got pregnant at 42), I'm glad i waited, just not THAT long.
The most important gift for a child is having 2 loving, stable, committed parents. THAT is worth the wait.
Additionally, the life experience that occurs while living your early 20s working, traveling and being a good citizen greatly adds to your perspective in relationships and parenting. It also greatly helps stability in other important aspects of life.
For women, in general, I'd recommend waiting until 25 or older.

I wouldn't pay attention to the ages on here..it depends to be a very young crowd! The average age people have kids now days is not 19....You can tell the maturity in a lot of these posts and the lack of financial stability.