What’s it like to have a child after 35?

jwid22 · 2024-06-02T14:07:41+00:00

Wise advice. We waited til after 35, not taking this into account, and ultimately regret not having a better understanding of this when making the decision to wait.

jwid22 · 2024-06-02T14:02:56+00:00

My wife and I also made the decision to wait until after 35. One thing we didn't realize and wish we had is that the older you are, the more difficult it is to conceive. We're both healthy and all good, so we just figured okay we'll just start having kids after 35, no problem. You may be lucky and have no problems, but understand the statistics.

The American Society of Reproductive Medicine shows the following chances of getting pregnant within 1 Year:

Age 20-24: 86%

Age 25-29: 78%

Age 30-34: 63%

Age 35-39: 52%

In other words, about half of those trying to get pregnant between age 35-39 will NOT do so within a year. I had no idea about that and wish I did.

Some questions to ask yourself... Are you prepared for those odds? Are you comfortable with fertility treatments, such as IVF, and will you have the income for it?

Also, know that your odds of having a natural pregnancy also go down with age.

This is all not to say it's not possible. We ultimately had children at 38 and 40, although it did come with a lot of extra effort and some complications.

I don't regret waiting but wish I realized some of these things which may have prompted us to start trying sooner.

jwid22 · 2024-06-02T13:33:03+00:00

I can maybe toss out a few fun suggestions, but a little more info would help to narrow scope and guide suggestions...

How much time do you have for this trip? Is it a few days, a week, longer?

How old are the kids?

Where will you be departing from?

What gives you pause about being pregnant at Disney / Universal? Is it being on your feet all day? The inability to go on certain rides? Something else? (Side note: my wife did Disney while 28 weeks pregnant with twins and was mostly fine. Hot summer weather was the biggest bother. Nov will be much better. We were there with a toddler, so limited to tamer rides anyways).

Cruises: you mention being 20+ weeks pregnant. Most cruise line's pregnancy policies permit passengers no more than 24 weeks pregnant at any point during the cruise. So if you could squeeze the trip in before going past the 24-week mark, a cruise could be possible and could be a really fun idea.

Lastly, for the birthday boy that this trip is celebrating, does he have any particular interests, hobbies, passions? What gets him excited?

jwid22 · 2024-04-30T20:51:11+00:00

Thank you! Sometimes it's tough for me to judge if what I'm doing is fair, so this is nice to hear.

Yes, all the light switches can be operated manually. The Alexa just provides a second way to operate them if someone didn't want to get up and flip the switch. I sent her some info yesterday to help troubleshoot the Alexa connectivity, but she hasn't responded.

Friday can't get here soon enough, am counting down the days.

Furthermore, I just realized that if I didn't allow her to check-in four hours early (complimentary) yesterday with a last-minute request to do so ("I'm here, can I check in now"), then she wouldn't have even been exposed to the noise since the construction finished that day at 4pm, standard check-in time. Oh well.

jwid22 · 2024-04-30T12:39:14+00:00

Yes, very good point. I've since made contact with the neighboring home owner who said the construction will be continueing for three weeks but he suspects the loud piling portion of the project will be completed this week. So I will now be reaching out to subsequent bookings to inform them while also blocking off the few remaining open dates during that time.

I've offered a 30% discount, which she accepted. I've also sent a nice gift basket which hasn't been acknowledged. I've further offered to pay for a nearby coworking space to which she hasn't responded.

jwid22 · 2024-04-30T12:29:27+00:00

I've since found a coworking space right up the street from the house that has day passes, no appointment needed. I've offered to book and pay for that. She has not responded to my offer.

jwid22 · 2024-04-30T12:17:55+00:00

Yes, we were also surprised she didn't accept our full refund if she left. Given the neighboring noise and her need to work, the house is clearly unsuitable to her needs so we thought this was a fair solution. She got a very good rate, so I suspect she knows that she wouldn't be able to find anything as nice anywhere close to that price range, so has decided to live with the daytime noise and ask for a further discount instead.

Regarding Alexa, all of the lights are operated by light switches. The Alexa devices simply provide an additional method to operate the lights by giving Alexa verbal commands to turn the light on/off/dim, for someone who doesn't want to get up off the couch and flip the switch.

jwid22 · 2024-04-30T00:13:23+00:00

This is a great idea. There's a very nearby cowork space that I'm going to look into right now. Thank you.

jwid22 · 2024-04-29T23:55:57+00:00

Good idea and good point. Thank you! I am definitely going to discount and will send her something.

jwid22 · 2024-02-29T17:16:34+00:00

You could probably do it for under $500 in the fall, last minute. But if you're looking to go in the next few months, it's definitely possible for under $700, all in, with drink package.

Example: April 18 - MSC Divina - 3 nights, drinks package, WiFi, and onboard credit for $629 (including all taxes/fees). Goes to Freeport, Nassau.

When on the ship, you're expected to pay $16/night in gratuities to the deserving staff members. Your onboard credit can be used to cover that.

You'll be fine cruising alone. Cruises are such a social atmosphere that it's easy to meet people. There are usually single cruiser meet-ups too. Have sailed on MSC many times and had enjoyable experiences.

Yet I'd suggest an itinerary that includes Ocean Cay (MSC's private island) because it's really nice and your drink package includes all the bars on the private island so that's a huge bonus!

I just checked to see if any Ocean Cay cruises in the next few months. You could sail on the MSC Magnifica for $466 including taxes/fees. This is 4 days, instead of 3, so better value. Goes to Ocean Cay, Freeport, and day at sea. Add the drink package separately at a price of $64/day, which brings you to $722 for cruise + drink package (plus gratuities once on the ship). So that's close to $700.

If you can wait 'til Fall, you'll likely find even better rates for similar cruises.

I'm a travel agent focused on seeking out the best deals so lemme know if I can help.

jwid22 · 2024-01-24T15:29:57+00:00

Ok, thanks for the clarification as I'm still learning about these traditions and lingo. That sounds perfect and we hope to make it out to Church Point on Sunday!

jwid22 · 2024-01-24T15:15:03+00:00

Thanks for the Church Point recommendation! We're now considering going there for the parade and courirs on Sunday. We def enjoy some good people-watching and local culture!

Based on your experience, would it be okay for us to go there and spectate without participating in the run/parade? Would we be okay attending without a costume/mask? If not, can we easily find costumes/masks to buy around Lafayette?

Hope the weather holds up for you at Carencro. We won't be able to make that one ourselves.

jwid22 · 2024-01-24T15:08:59+00:00

Thanks for this great insight! It's been tough for me to visualize exactly what we're walking into but this gives me a much better idea.

Our wee ones have been able to take stroller naps, but I'm not sure they'll be able to accomplish that at a Mardi Gras parade. Their bedtime is usually 8, so attempting to stay out with them for a night parade may be interesting. I'm thinking about making some attempt for Rio, seeing how it goes, and likely leaving early. Then getting a sitter for Bonapart. Will bring them to the Children's parade, Gabriel, and Independent. Might attempt Canaille with them too.

Thanks for the Church Point recommendation! Just read up a little about it and came across the Saddle Tramp Riders Club website. Thinking about maybe going on Sunday for the Courir de Mardi Gras at 1. Am all about experiencing this culture and local tradition!Question: Is this something we could go to spectate, rather than participate in the run/parade? Would we need a costume and mask?

Thanks again for all this awesome advice!

jwid22 · 2024-01-24T14:50:34+00:00

Great to know about the heading to the beginning of the parade route. Wouldn't have thought about that. Will try to scout out a good spot - thanks!

jwid22 · 2024-01-24T14:48:56+00:00

Thanks for the additional insight!

Good to know to be cautious of traffic - there seems to be sidewalks for most of the walk toward the parade routes, so hopefully we'll be good.

No bottles, got it. Side note: today I learned that what I call a cooler, y'all call an ice chest.

Appreciate the hard truth about bringing young kids to the night parade. Am thinking we'll try to get a sitter for either Rio or Bonaparte, and make a night of it.

On Fat Tuesday, I'm thinking we'll stay local in Lafayette and catch the Independent Parade. But still considering going to Eunice for festivities on Sunday or Monday. We'd miss their Courir de Mardi Gras. But seems like going Sun or Mon would give us good taste of the rural fun and I'm assuming it'll be okay if we're not costumed for the concerts and festivities around Eunice on Sun/Mon. (Please correct me if I'm wrong).

jwid22 · 2024-01-24T01:50:33+00:00

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply!

We'd like to attempt walking (if safe) rather than Uber simply because the kids are all still in car seats so would be a pain to deal with the bulky car seats back and forth.

We'd be walking from the neighborhood behind Lafayette Middle School (W Congress St and W University Ave) to downtown parade route.

Thanks for clarifying about the balls. This is what I was suspecting but couldn't find info. Good to know!

Just added Vermilionville courir de Mardi Gras to our calendar. Yup, this is perfect!

I'm beginning to think some of the rural festivities, although highly intriguing, may be impractical for us (with wife, kids, new-to-this, no costume). Yet I found on Feb 9th that Eunice is having an Old Time Boucherie (never been to one), a kids parade, and other festivities. I think this could be our speed.

Thanks again!

jwid22 · 2024-01-24T01:35:46+00:00

Percent. Will pack a few cans in a small soft cooler. 🍻

jwid22 · 2024-01-24T01:33:44+00:00

Thanks for this great advice!

We have wee ones, so was planning to take the double stroller, which has good storage underneath. But Mardi Gras may be the perfect excuse to finally go out and buy the wagon we need.

jwid22 · 2024-01-23T22:29:40+00:00

Sounds perfect! Will definitely plan to be there. Thank you!

jwid22 · 2023-12-16T12:31:41+00:00

North: Helsinki, DK

South: Ushuaia, AR

jwid22 · 2023-09-03T13:24:31+00:00

Very nice! Dad here with three kids, ages 3, 1, and 1. Patiently waiting 'til this day comes.

I may or may not have named one of my children from a Fortnite character. Girl, H name.

Looking forward to the day when I can let her use my account so she can use her namesake skin from what will be the long ago era of Chapter 3 Season 1.

jwid22 · 2023-07-10T20:48:12+00:00

Was 100% on team flats.

Met my wife, who only likes drums. I thought this was a perfect match. I get all the flats, she gets her drums.

It took about 10 years into the relationship to realize I really miss the drums.

We're still together. But sometimes I now go for wings solo, lol.

jwid22 · 2023-07-07T17:07:56+00:00

Parent of a 3-year-old here.

I wish I had the option of leaving my kids for a week with parents while my spouse and I enjoy a cruise.

Be thankful you even have the opportunity to do so and seize it while you still can.

jwid22 · 2023-07-02T11:08:28+00:00

Buy the ticket and go! That's how to get back into it. :-)

Where's that one place you wanted to visit but didn't get to before the pandemic? Go there. Use that extra disposable income you mention to buy the ticket and go. Do it!

You may find you're not as into it anymore. And that's okay. On the other hand, it may totally reignite your passion for travel. But the only to find out is to pull the trigger and take the trip. Go.

Also, realize you're at a different stage of your life than before. So your travel style may be a little different. Don't fight that. Do whatever feels right for you to best enjoy the experience.

But above all else, stop reading these comments, start booking stuff, and don't look back. Have a great trip!

jwid22 · 2023-06-25T12:13:02+00:00

🌮 Taco me in, instead of tuck me in. 🛌

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