i think having kids at a young age is a good thing. i had my 1st in ’86 then ’87; ’91; ’92; ’93; ’95; ’96 and lastly ’99 i was 18 when i started and my eldest is now 22 and the youngest has just turned 10. i am 41 and having all my kids at an early age was a blessing for me. girls think i am their girlfriends and it causes some funny situations when they realize that i am their mother and that is because i look young am not fat and can relate to them. so if anyone wishes to have kids at an early age i say go for it. there are so many benefits as you dont feel tired and the labour gets easier and as all my kids are at the independent age i am free to do what i like. l love telling people that i have 8 kids because no-one can believe that i look so young it gives you a confidence boost and is great i wouldn`t change a thing at all. so charlotte and anyone else who reads this go for it. i never understand why women choose having a career first and kids later on in life. i am studing now to be a physiotheapist and i am free to do this now my husband is very understanding and supportive so in all i would say i have done things the right way round!!! and who knows if a woman can have a child at the age of 39/40 when they think their lives are on the right track. i really wouldn`t

i have had 8 kids and they range from 22 down to 10. my first one was when i was 18 and my last was when i was 31. i think having kids at a early age as so many benefits as i have experienced. the great thing is the labours become more tolerable and quicker! infact my last one took 2mins yes that`s right 2mins!!! so you see there is so many benifits in having alot kids. i have such a good relationship with my kids and i sometimes get mistaken for being their girlfriend which is so funny when they find out that i am their mother. if i could go back i would do it all over again growing up with your kids is the best thing ever. and eventhough i have put my kids off having so many kids at an early age i am really looking forward to becoming a nanna.so whoever is thinking about having kids and lots of them so long as you have the support and are in a stable relationship and you know it is for keeps then go for it by all means. you will be very much rewarded later on in life. kids are a blessing so think long and hard before having them and if you do decide to go for it then do it. it`s the best thing ever i can promise you that. now that my kids are grown well except for the last 3 i am free to be an independent woman and i have a wonderfull husband who would also get up and change the nappies and do the night feeds when i was tired and he hasn`t changed he is the most wonderfull father and that is what you need if you are going to have alot of kids or even just the one.