Our parents are our caregivers, teachers, coaches, friends and our biggest supporters. While most people tend to have children when they are younger, some people do end up having children closer to their late thirties. This is the case with my parents. My mom was 34 and my dad was 39 when they had me while the average age of first-time mothers is 26. While 34 and 39 are not bad ages to have a child, being old limits how you raise your child. Here are some pros and cons of having older parents.
Pro: They have a lot of life experience
Because they have been living on this Earth longer they have mostly likely lived through and done some interesting things in their life. They have probably made many mistakes that they aren't proud of that they want to make sure you don't make. They are also the best source when it comes to interesting stories and life advice. If you want advice about school/college, relationships (to an extent) and money they will most certainly have the best advice.
Con: They are much older than you
Having older parents can also be a bad thing. Since they are so much older than you they don't relate to problems that you might have now because they have never had to experience them. Also, because they are older they are more likely set in their ideas and therefore less likely to change those ideas. This could lead to disagreements and tension.
Pro: They're more mature
Because they are older they are more mature and are able to be better parents. As a result of being more mature they are usually more relaxed and serve as a good example for their children. Older parents who have a child are more likely to stay together and even if they divorce are more likely to stay involved in the child's life.
Con: Physical stuff is harder
Having older parents means that they probably can't run around with you compared to when they were younger. This rings especially true if you are an only child. Riding a bike, having a catching in the yard, or playing on a play ground are all things that are harder for older parents, especially if they are out of shape. So while they may be more mature and have more life experience, they can't really play around with you.
Growing up with older parents had its ups and downs for me. While my parents weren't very strict and raised me to be mature and gave me great life advice, when I was younger it was hard because I had to teach myself how to ride a bike. Also, when I wanted to play on the play ground my dad did his best to keep up with me but it was hard for him. I didn't really have anyone to play with except my friends. However, I wouldn't trade my parents for the world. I'm so glad that I had them as my parents. I know they did their best and having older parents helped shape the person I am today, and I wouldn't want to change that. Parents of any age are always going to have pros and cons but ultimately it's how they raise their children that matters most.
