http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...552861,00.html

Thanks for posting this. A friend of mine has just had twins at 46! She's struggling a bit at present but she has a supportive family to help out.

Arlene looks positively fabulous for her age.

Yes she does!

I had an older father, he was 52 when I was born, and I know he got quite a few comments.... being told that only fathers could go into the delivery room, and not grandparents, was one! But he always looked good for his age, and he said I kept him young! To me, it made no difference at all!

Good for her - nice article!

She's 63 - wow looking good. I will be happy if I look that good at 43. Glad to see some positivity for older mothers

My mum was 34 (going on 35) when she had me and at the time that was considered 'old' for a first baby (baring in mind I'm now 24 so this was the early 80's) it was also 'odd' cos my dad was 26 (just short of his 27th birthday) I was the 'forth' baby she had three miscarriages before me but to me it's never been an issue though some people are surprised when I I say how old my mum is. We've got a great relationship and always have had so those that lambaste older mothers need to look at the relationship between mother and child - after all isn't that the important thing?

Ok rant over - btw 63!! good grief I wanna look that good at her age!!!

MY mum was in her late 30's when she had me, and I have a better relationship with her than my older sisters... I think that is down to how she coped better with me, than she did with toddlers in her early 20's...

We have always been more friends than mum/daughter

Same her though I have had the mother card played when she felt she had too

Good for her!

My mum was 34 when she had me, and was considered to be a "mature mum" (this was in 1961 when most mums were around 20!). My Dad was 59, which raised a few eyebrows, and although I got teased a bit at school (particularly about my Dad), I had a great upbringing; I agree with you Fi, that I think that as older parents they coped better; they were more secure and settled with life being that bit older. My Dad, even in his 90s, was my best friend. I did miss out on one set of grandparents tho!

Awww - I was a total Daddys girl!

It used to drive my brother mad (17 years my senior) because at the age of 18, my Dad was 70, and wasn't quite so strict as he had been when my bro was the same age - I got away with LOADS more!

It's lovely to see someone talk about how wonderful motherhood is - she has gone way up in my estimation.

Reading Arlene's article really has made me feel better. I'm 35 in April and will be thinking about starting a family very soon (or hoping to anyway), but every article I've read so far just tells me I've nearly got a better chance of winning the lottery without putting a ticket on than getting pregnant. Hail Arlene, that's what I say

Had first child when I was 31 and Little Gritty when I was 36. No doubt a few downsides, but I highly recommend being an older mum.

My parents were both 44 when I was born. I have a brother and sister who are much older.

I had my children at 32 and 37; no complications, perfectly healthy children and no trouble conceiving - don't let yourself be cowed by the doom mongers.