What is the BEST AGE TO BECOME AMUM?
WOMAN - UK|May 15, 2023
Four women tell us the highs and lows of coming to motherhood early or late in life
ALICE GREBOT
What is the BEST AGE TO BECOME AMUM?

Lynsey Bleakley, 46, runs an award-winning bakehouse near Bangor, County Down.

From the moment I discovered I was pregnant with Yazmin, I was thrilled. She was very much planned and very much wanted. I was married at 21, had a job in a bank, and that desire to be a mother was a huge part of my identity.

Yazmin was a contented baby and I took to motherhood with ease. Being younger when I had her, I think I went with the flow more, as I had no established routine of life yet. I just took things as they came. Having a baby is a huge adjustment, but such a joy as well.

Even then, 24 was considered young to have a baby. I only had one friend who already had a baby, and another, who was 12 years older than me, was pregnant at the same time as me with her fourth child. She was a very positive influence, as she was so laid-back. I also received a huge amount of support and guidance from my own mother. I wonder now if it helped that I wasn’t surrounded by lots of friends with babies, as it meant there weren’t constant comparisons being made.

Far from hindering my career, having a baby when I did actually led me to one. I was inspired to become a nurse then a health visitor following my own experiences after Yazmin was born – a career I continued for 18 years.

For me, having Yazmin in my early 20s was absolutely the right time. Lots of my friends in their 30s have young children and seem to be permanently worried and exhausted, whereas when I had Yazmin, I had endless energy, far less capacity for worry and was unfazed by those early sleepless nights.

Denne historien er fra May 15, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 15, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WOMAN - UKSe alt
Lizzie's LONG LIST
WOMAN - UK

Lizzie's LONG LIST

No one in her family realised just how much she did at Christmas-but things would be different this year

time-read
7 mins  |
November 04, 2024
SEX-MAS Is Our favourite season!
WOMAN - UK

SEX-MAS Is Our favourite season!

Slipping into a party dress and heels and heading out for festive drinks with your other half is always a treat, isn't it?

time-read
5 mins  |
November 04, 2024
Life is different - BUT STILL *MAGICAL
WOMAN - UK

Life is different - BUT STILL *MAGICAL

After losing two limbs, Sarah de Lagarde cherishes every moment

time-read
5 mins  |
November 04, 2024
We have chocolates for BREAKFAS
WOMAN - UK

We have chocolates for BREAKFAS

TV cooking stars John Torode and Lisa Faulkner reveal their blended family Christmas plans and why you should ask guests to bring a plate of food

time-read
4 mins  |
November 04, 2024
It's time to CELEBRATE
WOMAN - UK

It's time to CELEBRATE

After a tough few months, Ruth Langsford is ready to embrace her favourite time of year

time-read
3 mins  |
November 04, 2024
T'LL BE DRUNK by 11.30am'
WOMAN - UK

T'LL BE DRUNK by 11.30am'

Chef and TV personality Gino D'Acampo on how to make Christmas run smoothly, his favourite tipple and why not to worry if it all goes wrong!

time-read
4 mins  |
November 04, 2024
'Even the PETS HAVE STOCKINGS'
WOMAN - UK

'Even the PETS HAVE STOCKINGS'

The star on all things Christmas and why she won't be making a New Year's resolution

time-read
3 mins  |
November 04, 2024
LONELY HARRY wants to come home
WOMAN - UK

LONELY HARRY wants to come home

After six years away, the prince is keen to spend Christmas in the UK, writes royal biographer Emily Andrews

time-read
3 mins  |
November 04, 2024
Being blind won't stop me LIVING MY DREAM
WOMAN - UK

Being blind won't stop me LIVING MY DREAM

When Sassy Wyatt lost her sight, she vowed to have a whole world of adventures

time-read
4 mins  |
October 28, 2024
I gave birth to my own GRANDDAUGHTER
WOMAN - UK

I gave birth to my own GRANDDAUGHTER

Kristi Schmidt was desperate to give her daughter the baby she longed for

time-read
5 mins  |
October 28, 2024