Many young girls grow up aspiring to be mothers in their futures. Some of those girls dream of being young hip moms, diving into motherhood in their early adult years. Interestingly, we’ve seen an increase with women choosing to have children later in adulthood – 30’s/40’s. Even more interesting, we’re seeing strong evidence that children with older mothers have more positive outcomes.

What about the medical risks and concerns with having babies as an older woman? Fortunately, medical advances and technologies have made it safer for women who want to wait till their ready. With options such as in-vitro fertilization, egg freezing, frozen embryos, donor eggs and surrogates, women are able to have the option of focusing on careers, traveling, and soul searching in their youthful years.

Here’s some evidence that break the negative stereotypes of “older mothers” and highlights the more positive outcomes of their children:

POSITIVE OUTCOMES ARE LIKELY TO BE LONG-TERM
According to a study from Sweden, “Advanced Maternal Age and Offspring Outcomes: Reproductive Aging and Counterbalancing Period Trends,” postponing pregnancy due to factors such as career opportunities, is actually associated with long term outcomes for children. When analyzing siblings raised in the same environment, it was noted that the sibling born when the mother was older turned out to be taller, performed better academically, more likely to attend university, and scored higher on standardized tests compared to other siblings. It was also discovered that countries where mothers were older actually had improved health and expanded educations.

CHILDREN DEVELOP MORE ADVANCED LANGUAGE SKILLS
“The Relationship Between Maternal Education and Children’s Academic Outcomes,” has found that because older mothers probably stayed in school longer (and just gaining more social experience over the years), they use a more extensive vocabulary. This influences children at a young age. This enriches the child’s language and cognitive skills.

CHILDREN PERFORM WELL ACADEMICALLY
A child’s achievement is also indirectly influenced by the parents’ education and family income through educational expectations and parenting. This is shown in encouraging reading, constructive playing, and emotional support.

CHILDREN RECEIVE MORE ATTENTION AND TIME WITH THEIR PARENTS
Because mothers spent their early years focusing on meeting their career goals and saving money over the years, this allows parents to give more attention to children while providing a security and stability. Older parents are also more likely to be married.

OLDER MOTHERS TEND TO LIVE LONGER
Thanks to advances in healthcare and a more positive attitude towards exercise, older mothers are stretching their life expectancies. There’s a motherly phenomenon that prolongs the mother’s life to be there for the children. According to a study in Menopause Journal, women who had children after 33 are likely live to see 95.

Overall, children benefit more from mother’s who choose to wait till their ready. With age does come more life experience, understanding, maturity, and skills which influences parenting for the best.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with the stresses of parenthood and you live in the general San Diego area, please contact Crownview Medical; get in touch with a medical professional who will provide you with some advice.

Source:
Barclay, K. and Myrskyla, M. “Advanced Maternal Age and Offspring Outcomes: Reproductive Aging and Counterbalancing Period Trends.” Population and Development Review, 2016. doi: 10.1111/j.1728-4457.2016.00105.x

Davis-Kean, Pamela. “The Influence of Parent Education and Family Income on Child Achievement: The Indirect Role of Parental Expectations and the Home Environment.” Journal of Family Psychology, 2005. doi: 10.1037/0893-3200.19.2.294

Harding, Jessica F., Pamela A. Morris, and Diane Hughes. “The Relationship Between Maternal Education and Children’s Academic Outcomes: A Theoretical Framework.” Journal of Marriage and Family, February 2015. pp. 60-75.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/singletons/201606/6-benefits-children-older-mothers