6 Science-Backed Advantages of Motherhood After 35

Let's set aside the idea of the "biological clock ticking" for a moment and look at what science says. Studies from around the world show that women often feel mentally ready for motherhood in their 30s, around 30-35 years old. At this age, they tend to be more self-confident, financially stable, and emotionally intelligent. All these factors positively affect their children.

While it's true that biology plays a role – with a decrease in egg quantity and quality and higher pregnancy risks as women age – there's more to the story. Late pregnancy has its downsides, but it also comes with several lesser-known advantages. In this article, we'll explore six benefits, backed by science, of having children after 35.

1. Better Memory and Decision-Making in Mature Mothers

Research in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2020 linked having children after 35 to improved mental sharpness in mothers. The study, involving 830 women who became mothers after 30, found these women had keener perception and better verbal memory.

Researchers noted that women over 30 faced pregnancy and motherhood with less stress, thanks to a more serious approach, including reading and consulting experts.

2. Less Physical Injury to Children of Older Parents

A 2012 UK study presented intriguing findings. It indicated that children with parents just over 20 years old were more likely to suffer injuries needing hospital care (36.5%) than those with parents nearing 40 years (28.6%). This was also supported by a study in Japan.

Patricia Salber, founder and chief editor of The Doctor Weighs In, suggests that a mother's greater life experience tends to reduce the risk of accidental injuries for her child.

3. Mature Mothers are More Patient with Their Children

In a 2017 Dutch study, scientists found that parents over the age of 31 are more patient with their children compared to younger parents. The study involved two groups of children of different ages (seven, 11, and 15 years old) and focused on the mothers' ages during childbirth. Mothers who gave birth after turning 31 tended to scold their children less and paid more attention to them.

The study also found that children of older parents were more attentive to adults, better adjusted socially, and emotionally healthier in their pre-teen years. Patricia Salber commented that mature mothers are generally more relaxed, which positively affects their children's well-being.

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4. Children of Older Parents are Better Educated

In 2016, a Swedish study examined the correlation between children's education levels and their parents' ages. The impressive research encompassed data from 1.5 million people born between 1960 and 1990.

Commenting on the results, New York obstetrician-gynecologist Camilla Phillips noted that these children often benefit more in terms of educational, technological, and social development due to the advantages accumulated and available at the time of their birth.

5. Financial Independence of Older Parents Benefits Their Children

By the age of 35, many adults have completed their education, started their careers, or advanced significantly in their professional lives, often resulting in a higher income compared to those just beginning their careers.

This financial stability provides several advantages to their children, who may have access to diverse extracurricular activities, private schooling, tutoring, and opportunities to attend prestigious universities.

Patricia Salber points out that children of older parents often stay longer in the education system, perform better in tests, and are more likely to pursue higher education, influenced by their family's financial situation.

6. Older Parents Might Live Longer

There's a common misconception that having children later in life makes it harder for parents to cope, and they might miss important life events of their children, like weddings or spending time with grandchildren. However, a 2015 study published in the journal Menopause contradicts this belief.

This finding challenges the notion that later parenthood is necessarily associated with not being there for significant family moments.

To wrap it all up, these are just statistics and not a one-size-fits-all guideline. Everyone's journey to parenthood is unique. What matters most is what feels right for you and your circumstances.