I see this article in Chicago Now, Six Reasons Parenting a Toddler at 50 is So Much Easier than at 30. Interesting to me because I had my one and only child at 51.
I think, for the most part, the points made in the article are true. I’m more patient and less diaper averse. On the other hand, I have a bit less energy. I’ve almost gotten over being thought of as her grandfather, as there are parents at my daughter’s school young enough to be my children. But in the main, I’m a better dad.
Whether or not you’re a parent, what age do you think is optimal for a parent to be, and why?
I’m not sure there’s an optimal age. I presume one has more energy when one is younger — I know I did — but even your basic Olympian is going to fall behind, trying to keep up with a toddler.
The advantage of being older, I suspect, is simply having more life experience to draw upon. Not an inconsiderable factor, that.
My opinion is that parents between 30 and 35 are the best. They are not too young and have already some experiences. Older parents tend to be overprotecting or become helicopter parents. My son is 42 and is always swirling around my little grandson ! The poor boy can’t do anything of his own. But of course there are no rules, it doesn’t depend on parents age, but more on their character.
We could turn around that question and ask, which is better for the kid, a 30 year old parent or a 50 year old parent?
As a former “parent of a toddler” when I was in my 30s and a current “parent” of a toddler in my 50s I agree with your assessment. More patience but less energy!