‘They’d be like, that b***** is crazy’: Cameron Diaz on why she’s glad she became a mom later in life

Concurring, Foxx jokingly added, “That’s the daunting reality of having kids, when I was 26, asd I had my kid, took her to school on Monday and then Tuesday she woke me up, she said, ‘Dad!’, I said, ‘What’s up?’, ‘I got to go to school’. I said, ‘Oh, you gotta go every day?’”

While some believe younger parents have more energy to keep up with children, others argue that life experience and emotional stability gained over the years make for better decision-making. So, how does age truly shape one’s ability to parent effectively, and what factors matter most?

Gurleen Baruah, existential psychotherapist at That Culture Thing, tells indianexpress.com, “Emotional maturity and life experience influence parenting the same way they shape any other area of life — because parenting is fundamentally about the people making decisions, reacting, and guiding their children. When emotional maturity is present, it means a parent is better equipped to understand their own triggers, regulate emotions, and avoid passing unresolved struggles onto their child. They can self-soothe rather than react impulsively, making decisions that come from a place of wisdom rather than emotional overwhelm.”

Life experience, when processed thoughtfully, adds depth — helping parents see situations with perspective, handle responsibilities calmly, and teach children how to manage challenges through example. Baruah stresses that “it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being self-aware” enough to pause, reflect, and create an environment of emotional safety where mistakes aren’t met with punishment but growth.

Key advantages and challenges of having children at a younger versus older age

Baruah explains, “There’s no perfect age to have children — only trade-offs. You can’t make a simple pros-and-cons list and arrive at an answer because parenting, like life, is nuanced. Every choice comes with something gained and something sacrificed.”

Having children younger can mean more physical energy, a longer shared lifespan, and an easier time adapting to the chaos of early childhood. “But emotional maturity is still developing, which can make self-regulation, patience, and the responsibility of shaping another human more challenging. Younger parents might also feel they’ve had less time to explore their own identity, career, or personal growth, leading to potential resentment or unfulfilled aspirations,” shared Baruah.

On the other hand, she adds that having children later often comes with more financial stability, emotional intelligence, and life experience, allowing for greater patience and perspective in parenting. But it can also mean lower energy levels, a shorter shared lifespan, or the pressure of balancing late-stage career demands with raising a child. “Psychologically, older parents might be more set in their ways, making it harder to adapt to the unpredictability of a child’s needs,” notes Baruah. 

There’s no one correct answer — only the question of which trade-offs someone is willing and able to embrace. Because at any age, parenting isn’t about a perfect situation; it’s about self-awareness, adaptability, and the ability to grow alongside your child.

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