For many the best time is just when it happens... If you are planning ahead, I would recommend when you are in a stable, loving relationship; when you have a strong sense of 'self'; when your financial situation is viable for you to live comfortably off one income; when you are living in an environment/area that is ideal to raise a child in.  If these things are not in place and you are thinking about having a child, then think about what you can do to create these situations for yourself.

I was 22 when I had my first baby, and I can tell you now, I still had to get ready pretty quickly.  Before that, I was too busy trying to find my niche in the world and there was no way I could have done that if I had a baby. 

While there is no right time to start a family, I believe a teenager should wait and experience the world before they commit to bringing a new life in the world that is going to be dependant on them 100% for many years to come.

I don't think that there is a best time, it's when you feel ready and feel ready to cope with parenting.I had my boys at 28, previous to that I said up until the age of 27 that I didn't want kids!! Then I had twins.

My sister had her girl when she was 19 and she does say 14 years later that she had her too young-obviously she hasn't said that to my niece.I think it's up to the individual.I must admit though I do cringe when I hear of girls as young as 13 getting pregnant.I do think that's too young.

I agree there is no "best time" to become a mom, however, if I could go back and choose when to have had my son I would have waited a few years. I would have spent some time on my own and getting to know my husband better before having a baby. I got married and had my son 9 months later.

Well there is no right or wrong time has everyone said. I wanted a child just after my sister fell pregnant. I really was not prepared for the sleepless nights and not knowing what your baby wants. If you have very few friends with kids or no family around I suggest you try and make friends with kids so that you can help each other out. Even if it is going to a playgroup just after the baby is born.

When my son was 1st born omg it was a huge shock to the system and I had to grow up fast. but he is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I love him to bits but looking back I don't think I personally was ready at the time to be a mother, not emotionally anyways.

But you need to look deep inside yourself and ask a few questions:

1. Am I ready to put any studying etc. on hold to look after a baby? or is my partner ready to do this?
2. Am I emotionally ready to have sleepless nights and be patient with a screaming baby?
3. Am I financially able to support a baby?
4. Does my partner want kids?
5. Can I see myself looking after my child's needs for several years to come?

There are probably more but I wish i had asked myself these questions before falling pregnant. I reckon a few of the mothers out there might be able to add a few more questions to this list.

Yes, I have to agree with those below, there is never a perfect time to be a mum!

However, it is less difficult when you are in a stable relationship, when you have friends and family nearby, when your friends/family are also having kids....

If you have kids in your 20s you will have more energy, you may have younger parents who can help out, and more time to "enjoy yourself" after they fly the nest. On the other hand, if you have kids in your 30s, you will have more experience, you may know yourself better and be able to dredge up more patience, and you may have already done the enjoying yourself in your 20s!

For me, Im glad I waited until my 30s as it gave DH and me more time to enjoy being a couple and to work on that relationship before we had to work as a team thru the stresses and sleep deprivation of parenthood. On the downside, my parents are now too old and infirm to help out at all, and my attention could become divided between the needs of my kids and my parents inthe near future. But then that could happen with younger parents too.

Honestly there really is no "best time" to become a mom.  For me I've wanted children for years and shortly after I got married hubby and I decided to try.  And we got my first one right away.  I felt ready and I wanted one.  That is the only way I can say that it's the best time.  When you can picture yourself being a mom, holding a baby and caring for them, then I say that it is the best time.  Age should not matter, though the older you are, remember, the more difficulties you can face with disabilities in the child.  But also the older you become, the more settled you are, the calmer you are, and the wiser you are.  But that is something that you have to look deep inside of yourself and ask, are you ready.  I hope this helps some.

Hi there

I dont know if there is ever a best time to become a mother. But i would say if you are planning it, whenever you feel that you are ready to completely devote yourself to the idea of being a mum. It is a very damanding job being a Mum. You get little sleep to begin with, sometimes you dont know what to do or even if what you are doing is right. It is physically and emotionally draining at times. You loose your freedom to a point - by that i mean no more going out every weekend. It is financially draining also, if you are financially comfortable thenthat is great, but dont make it a big deal. The way things are changing now, i dont know that it is the best thing to go by.

It is also the most rewarding thing in the world. You have a little person that you love unconditionally and when they smile and laugh and make it to their milestones your heart is just filled with love and pride! I know for me, having my son is the best thing i have ever done. I have no regrets. It may not have been the best time when i had him. But this past year has certainly been the best one of my life.

Hope this helps. Cass xx