I agree that parents understand their kids when and IF they want to understand their kids. It has nothing to do with age. It has to do with flexibility, personality, desire to learn and understand another generation. If you are "stuck" in your perceptions, you are old whether you are 23, 35, or 55. There are pros and cons of having kids while young and while older. When you are young - 18-24 and have a child, your child needs to grow while you are trying to establish yorself and not prioritizing child-rearing as much as when you are , say, 38. But the benefits are - being there for them for, hopefully, longer time, helping with grandkids, etc. When you have a kid after 35 - the major "con" is, of course, accumulating risk of genetic and other problems, but the pro - is more stability, prioritizing that child in a more mature way.

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Happy New Year to all! Virtual hugs!