Em@il Jury

An older parent is less able to join in all the necessary activities and, if his or her health deteriorates, the child could end up missing out on a lot and could even become a carer. It is quite selfish to have children at an age when you should be a grandparent. Liz Kelly,

Glasgow It can be beneficial – many older parents I know are in a position to spend more time with their children than younger parents are. Judi

Martin, Aberdeenshire I think 35 is ideal, then you’re still young enough for your children to enjoy your company. Graham

D’arcy, Glasgow Babies are a lot of work and when you are young it is easier to cope with it. I think 50 is about the maximum. Lorraine Anderson, Edinburgh I think maybe having a baby later in life (by that I mean under 45) you do have a lot more life experience but I don’t think that makes you a better parent. I have known 16 and 17-year-old parents

who were fantastic role models. As for being in a child’s life for a longer or shorter period, people die at all ages. Margaret Gibb,

Fife I am an older parent as I was 39 when I had my daughter. All wild oats were sown and I could stop work and devote my time to

TO BECOME PART OF THE TEAM looking after her and her brother. It has kept me young and active. I was deemed very ancient back in the ’70s! Elizabeth O’Regan,

Lincoln I do think that coping with children is a young person’s job. The energy needed to deal with sleepless nights and exhausting days isn’t necessarily there as you get older. Susan

Ireland, Kendal