San Diego: Home of the old parent?

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by Charles

I think the title of the thread would be more appropriately, "2009: Era of the older parent", meaning, this is more of a recent trend rather than a geographic trend.

I was born in 1961 and my parents were 40 and 38, significantly older than the neighborhood kids' parents. It was like being raised by grandparents.

I'm 48 and I have a 10, 7, 6, and 2 year old. While I'm probably older compared to most of the parents I see at my kids' activities, the difference isn't as great as it was in the 1960s.

You're right, Charles. It is not a geographic thing. I am not in SD. I'm in the Coachella Valley.

[Pom]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I also see a big difference in children of parents who are older when they get started. I am generalizing and will not say too much more.

Really? I know kids from all kinds of families, as I volunteer quite a bit in my children's schools, and the differences I see in behaviors have nothing to do with the parents' ages. Furthermore, I'm sure we all know of families where one child ends up doing quite well and another doesn't, even though they are raised in the same manner.

There are positives and negatives to having kids when one is younger or older. Certainly when a person is younger they have more energy, and when older more maturity. It's a personal decision, and sometimes may have more to do with one's situation than choice. I don't think there's a clear "right way" when it comes to something like this.

BTW, I had my kids in my 40's and they are all doing extremely well both socially and academically. And I don't feel like there is anything at all out of the ordinary when I go to events and some of the parents are quite a bit younger,

[Oerdin]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Since we've had a kid we find ourselves frequenting places we didn't - parks, playgroups, the zoo, etc. One thing we keep noticing is that there are a lot of fortysomething+ parents out there with 1, 2 and 3 year old children.

We see this most in the more suburban areas like Del Cerro, and less in say, South Park or Mission Hills or Balboa Park where it is more younger / hipster parents. I am guessing in the new housing areas like Chula Vista or San Marcos you probably see a lot of younger parents too.

Has anyone else noticed this? I couldn't imagine pushing 45 or 50 and running around after an 18-month old!

I think that's a trend effecting most of America. People no longer get married and have kids in their 20's so why wait until their 30's or even 40's before they start building a family. Hell, I'm 33 and have been living with my girlfriend for almost three years and I'm not sure if I'm ready to get married and have kids yet.