Age/Kids

[Belle of the Ball 051411]

How old were you and your significant other when you had your first child?

DH and I are just starting to think about expanding our family. I'm almost 31 and DH is 41. I hope we won't be the only "older parents" at parent-teacher conferences, lol.

How old was your child when you first took him/her to Disney?

[BrerGnat]

DH and I were 25 when we had our first son. We have always been among the youngest parents at our kids schools. I think parents in their mid 30s and older are the norm these days. You will probably have a lot more mommy friends your own age than I do. Most parents of kids my boys ages (6-8) are a good 10 years older than me.

We started taking our boys to Disneyland as early as 4 months. We lived very close, though, so we went often. WDW was when our boys were 5 and 4 the first time.

[Mickey'sGirl]

I was 29 (DH 31) with our first son, and 34 (DH 36) for our second son.

For the most part, we are older than the parents of our youngest son's classmates, but we are the same age for our older son's classmates parents.

DS#1 made his first trip at 3, DS#2 was 6 months old.

[Tiggerlovr9000]

I was 24 and my dh was 29 when our ds was born. We took him to wdw for the first time when he was 14.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I wouldn't worry about it at all! I know parents of all ages, and all that matters is that the kids are loved and taken care of.

As someone who works a lot with kids, we see parents who are very young for the age of their kids, and very old for the age of their kids, usually at the same time!

For me, I had my daughter on the young side at 22, and I always have people thinking we're sisters.

As for the first Disney trip, DD was 6, but I would have done it sooner if we'd had the $$. But since then, we've made up for it with lots of trips.

[SBETigg]

I married at 21, honeymooned at WDW, brought home an unexpected souvenir, and became a mother at 22. We were young and had a lot of money issues early on, so we didn't return to WDW or bring the kids until they were 10 and 8. I wish I'd had the means to bring them sooner, but I'm glad we were responsible with our money and put paying off our debts ahead of our fun. And since then, we've been able to go every few years, stay our way (deluxe) and enjoy our family time. I was always one of the youngest mothers at schools and functions. While we did struggle early on, the beauty of our situation is that we're enjoying time with our adult kids when we're still young-- and we're also able to enjoy things we didn't get to do when we were young and couldn't afford it anyway.

I have no regrets. I would have no regrets at any age. My children have brought me so much joy, and challenges, but mostly joy. Most of my friends had their first babies between 30 and 40.

[buzznwoodysmom]

We were pretty young when we had our kiddos. I was 22 (DH 26) when we had our first, then I was 24 (DH 28) with our second.

We first took our kids to WDW when oldest DS was 2, and youngest DS was just 9 months old.

[DVC2004]

There's never a "right" time or age. We were young - 21 and 25 (DH) when we had our first. My oldest will be 15 next month. I wouldn't do it any differently. LOL I had been mistaken for my boys older "sister" a few times which always makes us all laugh, one time in particular a couple of preteen girls siad something snotty to me and I had to tell them, I'm the mom so you can stop or I'll come have a talk with your moms. Ha ha.

My boys were 4 1/2 and 3 the first time we took them, and we've been back every year since. It was so fun to take them the first time, but even more fun the second time. They remembered things so they weren't scared, enjoyed the characters a little more, didn't need to take lots of naps, could walk a little more without the stroller. Trip number 1 was "practice" I always like to say. We also did the DVC tour on that second trip and joined before their 3rd trip.

It's been a blast, every second of it.

[amd780]

Our first child is due in 3 weeks - DH is 30 and I will be 29 just 3 days before my due date. We more than likely won't make it down to WDW for at least another two years.

[minnie04]

I was 24 my DH was 23 when we started our family. DD was 2 when we took her for the first time. It was her Birthday gift. DS went when he was 1 1/2. DS went when he was 11 months

There is never a "perfect" time to start. I think you just know when it’s right!! The only thing I did do was wait between kids. I waited 4 years to have my second child. I really enjoyed everything with my DD before starting diapers again with my DS. And the third seven years after that, which looking back I would have done closer only because my DS (8) thinks the older kids get to do everything and he can’t do anything...lol..

DD (20) gets to go out late at night. DS (16) gets to go with friends to hang out. It’s hard to explain that one day he will get to do all these things and more, but he doesn’t want to hear it now.

[disneymom15]

We were marry for 10 years before we had our daughter. I was 30 and DH was 32. Our first family trip was Dec 1995 (I had been to DL & WDW as a child) our daughter was 5.

[DizneyRox]

Guess I'm the old guy... Late 30's and no regrets. I enjoyed life when I was young enough to, and learned from others mistakes.

The little one went around 18 months.

[kakn7294]

DH and I were both 25 when DD17 was born and she went to WDW at 13 months. I was 30, he was 31 when DD12 was born and this poor, neglected child didn't get to WDW until she was 3 yo. Parents in our school district really range in age with our age group right smack dab in the middle.

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

We were on the VERY young side. I was 20 and DH was 18 when our twins arrived. They did not visit WDW until they were 12 yrs old. We proceeded to have 2 more children before we hit 30. We now have adult twins, and 2 high schoolers and are often the youngest of the PTA meetings. But I would not change a thing. When I hit 50 in a few years, all my children should be in or have graduated from college.

[Disney4us2]

I went against tradition and am a single mom. My Mr. Right developed a glioblastoma brain tumor and passed away about 2 years later. No one else came along... so hence a single mom by choice.

I had Jessica at the age of 45 after 2 years of fertility treatments. Finally did IVF and it worked... BOTH times. The first one ended up with a miscarriage and the second was Jessica. I call her my perk of the job since I worked for my RE (fertility specialist). She also delivered Jessica and it was fun having an ultrasound at lunchtime to see her almost everyday.

Her first trip to Disneyland was at the ripe old age of 3 months. I got the itch to get my pass back and started her going on a regular basis at 15months. She has literally grown up at Disneyland.

Knowing what I know about fertility...DON'T WAIT. The older you get, the harder it is to get pregnant. Good luck

[Disney Doll]

I married young (21), but didn't start a family right away. I was 28 when my oldest was born DH was 34. We were 31 and 37 when our second was born. Our first born took his first Disney trip for his first birthday. Our youngest went for the first time at 9 months.

[MNNHFLTX]

I was 31 when my son was born, my husband was 29 (a younger man--gasp!

We first started taking him on day trips to WDW when he was 2 years old, since we lived in central Florida. Because we lived so close, it was nice to just take things in "toddler-time". In fact, it occurred to me a few years back that we never ever rented a stroller or brought one from home. We just went at a slower pace or he rode on my husband's shoulders.

[disney obsessed]

I was 27, then 30, then 33.

I had a lot of younger moms who were great friends and we had a lot in common because the kids were the same age and into the same things.

My kids first went when they were 7, 4 and 1 1/2.

[Briansmom]

We had our first child at age 27 after we had been married almost 6 years. Her first trip was 3 weeks before her 3rd birthday. Our second child was born when I was 38....yikes...old mama! Since he has special needs and couldnt handle the sensory input, his first trip was not until he was 9 1/2. But we've been every year since then to make up for it!!

I agree with previous posters that the ages of the parents in your child's grade will be a big range. It's been that way with both of ours even though they are 11 1/2 years apart. Go for it when you feel ready....both of ours were 'surprises' but I wouldnt change any of it. It's fun especially when you get to pass on your love of Disney to them!

[Dulcee]

We don't have any yet but hopefully will by the time we're 26-27.

For another example though my Mom was 19 when she had my oldest sister and in her mid 40s with my younger sister, so its safe to say she's been the young, "normal" and older Mom in quiet a few situations.

And as far as WDW, the youngest to go was me, at 6 months old