Em@il Jury

Former EastEnders actor Ross Kemp, now 53, is the proud dad of newborn twin daughters, Ava and Kitty. So is experience more important than energy when raising kids? We asked our Email Jury for their views on older parents

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 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