Why Science Says The Best Age To Have Kids Is After 35

Your nosy relatives can chill.

By Emily Blackwood — Written on Aug 22, 2021

Photo: Dasha Petrenko / Shutterstock

If you have overly involved parents such as I do, you've probably heard the question "When are you going to give me grandkids?" at least a hundred dozen times. Or, if you're in my family, it's more like, "When are you gonna give me some damn grandkids?"

Well now, Mom and Dad, I finally have an answer. And it's one that doesn't make me feel like the timer on my biological clock is almost up.

According to a study by the University of Southern California, scientists now believe that the best time to have a baby and give birth is after the age of 35, as it improves the mental abilities of the mother.

So maybe the whole "How can I raise a child when I still feel like one?" excuse isn't too far off.

Researchers tested 830 postmenopausal women on planning, visual perception, verbal memory, concentration, and attention.

They found that women who had their first baby after 24 performed better on mental acuity tests, problem-solving and verbal skills compared to those who became mothers between the ages of 15 and 24.

Women who had their last baby after 35 had better verbal memory and cognition.

This increase in brainpower is actually related to the surge of hormones — estrogen and progesterone — that happens during pregnancy.

So basically, when you're pregnant, you become some kind of superhuman — and your superpowers only get stronger the older you get.

Being a woman kind of rules, right?

So don't let your high school friends who popped out a kid and put a ring on it before you even got your diploma in the mail make you feel like you've missed your window. Timing is different for everybody, and there's no right or wrong way to start a family.

Having kids is a very personal choice that shouldn't be determined by circumstances like your age and marital status.

I know I've felt the push to "settle down," but at 25 years old, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Only recently have I felt like I can completely take care of myself. And I still sometimes forget to eat dinner or do my laundry. I certainly don't need to multiply that by two.

Also, things like affording a place with another bedroom or having a job that will give you enough time to spend with your child, are good things to think about if you're seriously considering getting pregnant.