Older mums go easier on their kids

OLDER mothers are less likely to yell and smack their children than their younger counterparts.

Researchers have found that maturity in women over the age of 35 is reflected in their parenting and they are more tolerant and content, resulting in better-behaved children. The number of Australian women having children over 35 is rising while there are fewer under 24.

The study, published in the journal Development Psychology, involved 4741 mothers and the Danish scientists concluded that a higher maternal age is also associated with increased psychosocial wellbeing during pregnancy and early days after the child is born.

The latest figures show mums in Australia are six years older than a generation ago. The chances of pregnancy at 40 is 8 per cent and 15 per cent at 35. Some experts say 20something mums can be overwhelmed by things such as financial stress.