Kirstie Allsopp has sparked debate after urging young couples to give up ‘fun’ start a family.
Kirstie Allsopp has caused a heated row on Twitter after saying that young couples should sacrifice ‘fun’ and big weddings for having kids earlier.
The Location, Location, Location presenter took to the social media site to air her thoughts on what age people should prioritise having children.
Read more: Kirstie Allsopp sparks debate with her latest controversial parenting technique
‘Today is one of those days when someone should take my phone off me,’ wrote the mum-of-two, ‘But they haven’t so here goes...
‘IF you WANT kids, IF you are in your late 20s AND IF you are in a solid relationship AND IF you can afford it have kids NOW,’ she exclaimed. ‘It does NOT get easier the later you leave it, buy a CHEAPER house, a bit further from the shops & restaurants and keep some money back for childcare.
‘DO NOT blow £20K on a wedding & spend two years planning it,’ she continued, ‘because when that baby arrives you will love it more than anything in the world & the money you spent on the dress/hen night/cars/posh hotel will be nothing compared to your longing to afford the best childcare you can.
‘When I’m faced with a couple in theit late 20s who “want a few more years of fun” I want to say “kids are fun, kids are the best fun, nothing will ever be more fun, non-one will ever make your laugh more, or fill your heart with such joy IF YOU WANT THEM DON’T WAIT”’.
While some agreed with the TV host, saying that ‘when they’re old enough to look after themselves a bit you’re still young enough to get out and enjoy yourself’ and ‘the older you are the tougher it gets’, many thought that it was ‘damaging’ to tell ‘women in their late 20s they’re running out of time to have kids’.
However, the 47-year-old defended her stance, claiming that ‘it is NOT damaging, lying is damaging, the “kids aren’t fun, work is fun, booze is fun, fashion is fun but kids aren’t fun” is what’s damaging’.
‘In 2 weeks time both my boys leave the prep school I’ve been a step-parent & parent at since 2007,’ she continued. ‘I’m in pieces about it. I can’t believe they have grown so fast. I was nearly 35 & 37 when I had the boys, I never had a third, too old. But very lucky to have had the 2 I did.
‘I had kids late because I hadn’t met anyone,’ added Kirstie, ‘this is the case for so many other women, but this isn’t a reason not be truthful. Loads of people say to me “we know...” but if everyone “knows” how come I’m faced with so many couples who “want more fun”?’.
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