Motherhood after 40: Is this the New Era to Have a Baby?

For the longest time, women have been told that motherhood is something we should begin as soon as possible. “The clock is ticking” or “you won’t be young forever,” sound familiar?

Well, it’s 2023, and more and more women are deciding to start motherhood later in life. You can’t deny that there are benefits to motherhood after 40. Like…

1. A Stable Career

Having kids in your 40s gives you the chance to focus on building a career in your 20s and 30s. Starting motherhood often means a break from your job, whether a maternity leave or quitting altogether. Re-entering the workforce is difficult for most new moms, with mothers in the US losing up to 40% of their income after giving birth. Choosing to wait a little to have kids gives you the chance to cement a stable career that won’t suffer even if you step back to have kids.

2. Financial Stability

Kids are not cheap and due to inflation, childcare costs are through the roof and formula is so expensive that impoverished parents have to resort to shoplifting it. So, when you think about it, it’s not a bad idea to spend your younger years working, saving, and investing so you’re financially comfortable to start a family. Sure, young parents have the energy to tackle all the shenanigans that come with raising kids, but older parents may have the bank accounts to do it without money being another stresser.

3. Personal Maturity

The truth is this: It’s best to start a family once you’ve fully developed as an adult. We’ve all done some crazy stuff in our twenties. The consequences of those wild decisions are likely multiplied by 10 when you add kids. Having children in your forties lets you get it all out of your system so you can mature and be more level-headed when starting your family.

4. Stable Home Life

Look, we’re not all going to meet the love of our life right out of college. Sometimes, like Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling, it could be in your forties. Eva famously said that she only chose to have kids because they were his kids. Waiting till your forties gives you time to ensure that you are having kids with the right person, and that your relationship with them and other immediate family is rock solid.

5. More Time with Your Kids

Take a look at Serena Williams, now in her forties, who achieved all there is to achieve in competitive tennis, and then gave birth in her mid-thirties with more time to focus on raising her young daughters in her forties. So, picture it for yourself: You’re in your 40s, you’ve got your money up, some steady investments, a great spouse, and a super flexible work schedule. You’re in a great position to lavish time and attention on your kids.

Photo credit: People Magazine

It’s Your Call, Mama!

No matter when you choose to have kids, there will be pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide what works for you. Considering waiting to have kids in your 40s? Let us know in the comments.

Guest Blogger

Cynthia Kinyera is a freelance writer specializing in women’s wellness. She uses her easy-flowing prose and digital marketing skills to craft engaging high-converting content. Find out more about her work at cynthiawrites.com.