Some say yes, and others say no. While being a stay-at-home mother is difficult with two-income families being the norm, women choosing to have a career and child – essentially “having it all” – find it even more straining to balance their lives. But, in this latter category, a recent study suggests that many women, regardless of career path, wish they had their children earlier. As women have entered the working world, having children in the early to mid-20s is far less common, particularly as this period is seen as an extension of the teen years. College and “finding yourself,” in addition to finding financial stability, seem to take up a significant portion of the 20s, and bringing another person in the world is put on the back burner.

The study linked above suggests that those who had children in their 30s wish they had them younger – particularly during the “ideal” fertility period of 25 to 29 years of age. Other findings from this study include:

• Those who had children at 30 to 34 years of age wish they had them younger, most likely during the period of 25 to 29 years.
• Both financial security and emotional maturity are important and, with a career, most women don’t reach these until their 30s.
• The period of 25 to 29 is considered the “perfect” age to have a child by women in their 30s. Those above 38 years of age think that the period of 30 and 34 years is better.
• A large percentage – 60 percent – of stay-at-home and career mothers thinks that having a baby has a negative impact on a woman’s career.
• Additionally, those with an established career who has a child noticed negative emotions and a lack of caring upon returning to the job.

Essentially, this study indicates that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence and, as a result, there is no “right” age to have a child.