Does being a "younger" doula make it harder to get clients?
When I started seriously thinking about doing this I thought that because I am only 20 this may be a disadvantage as far as getting clients....What do you all think? I mean it could be an advantage as far as getting teen mamas but I do still have to pay my bills and I would like to make this "full time"!
As far as me personally, I would prefer someone with children and of an older age. I would feel strange choosing someone years younger then I am.. LOL Like you said though, could be a real advantage when it comes to teen clients though!
__________________
~*Candice*~
Doula, student midwife & SAHM to six little ones!!!
I started when I was 20 and had the bulk of my clients the first two years. I never had a couple meet me and turn me down. It's gonna make rejection harder now of course, LOL.
Anyways don't get discouraged. You don't need to come out and offer up your age. You could if they ask, but I wouldn't start a conversation with it. I'm sure you'll do fine.
__________________
Need help navigating AllDoulas? Check out the FAQ first, and then visit the Helpdesk.
Want to advertise in your signature and support AllDoulas? Check out our Paid Subscriptions.
I agree with Tiffany. In this situation, age truly is only a number. I personally feel like not having children might be more detrimental than being young, but you don't have that issue. Not to say women without children can't make wonderful doulas (they can!) but no matter your age, you can offer your clients the comfort of knowing you have been there and you made it through. So many of my clients have told me that is what helped them most, knowing I wasn't lying when I told them they could do it because I had been through it before.
I am late 30's, and its still hard to get clients, and make a full time wage from this. I am no where near this yet.
So much depends on where you live, doulas are not popular here, and I have spent much of the last 3 years doing the 'what a doula is ' speech.
Teen moms are great, but they usually don't have any money.
I am 21, my first client knew I was inexperienced, did not ask my age, and hired me. She said it was more important to her that I had been through labor before and that she could believe me when I told her she was doing a good job. She is in her 30s.
I think age CAN be a disadvantage, but only if you make it a weakness yourself. Be confident in your abilities.
__________________
Ashley Motzenbecker, CD (CBI), RP, PED
Certified Labor Doula, Certified Perinatal Educator, Level II Reiki Certified
Regional Coordinator and Volunteer Doula for Operation Special Delivery www.wiregrassdoulaservices.com
I am 26, so a bit older than you, but still fairly young. I have only had one person not pick me as her doula because I was too young... and she was even younger than me... but she really wanted more of a mother figure and thought from my website that maybe I was older. Otherwise, so far almost all my clients have been older than me and age hasn't even come up.
I don't think age matters much. People usually choose a Doula they feel is knowledgable and they have a connection with. I just Doula'd for a woman a few years younger than my own mother and age did not make a difference at all.
I totally feel like age is an issue for me, and I am not nearly as young as some of you (I'm 24). I actually had one lady last week ask if I was advertising for my mom! I had to laugh because if she only knew my mom!!! lol
It's so hard where I live to get ANY clients, and when people find out how old I am it's like another strike against me. But then again, what is the perfect age for a doula? Many people want a doula who "mothers" them, an older, experienced woman who is in a mother role. I personally feel a "sisterly" role is better, so I would like a doula that is at least under 42 (my mom's age!). It all depends on the person and as I am learning, you can't be the perfect doula for everyone... although I'd like to be!!!
I personally feel a "sisterly" role is better, so I would like a doula that is at least under 42 (my mom's age!). It all depends on the person and as I am learning, you can't be the perfect doula for everyone... although I'd like to be!!!
I guess you're gonna take me off of your potential list then in the "who would you pick to be your doula" thread then......
I'm at the other end of this...I am older than apikailaa's mom (not by much though) and am wondering as I get older if in 10 years any of the women who interview me will even want a doula in her early 50s...
But then I think of Penny Simkin...she still attends births, right???
Now to answer the OP.......
For younger doulas:
age is not as important as your knowledge, your confidence, whether or not the couple feel that they "click" with you. If the mom feels you are knowledgable, she sees your confidence, and she feels a connection, she will hire you even if her first thought upon meeting you was, "Wow, she's young!"
I guess that I can only reiderate what people have already said. You will click with some people better than others, regardless of age. I'm VERY young, younger than you, not by much though, and I've had 2 clients 3 1/2 months. Nice huh? Yeah they werent paying clients. Actualy number two recently canceled on my b/c my family has the flu, but if it werent for that, I'd have two clients. My first client was a volunteer job for a teen mom.
It just depends on who the woman/couple is. I think we need to start a young doula support group! 23 and under!
__________________
Well behaved women rarely make history - Laurel Thacher Ulrich
I guess you're gonna take me off of your potential list then in the "who would you pick to be your doula" thread then......
I'm at the other end of this...I am older than apikailaa's mom (not by much though) and am wondering as I get older if in 10 years any of the women who interview me will even want a doula in her early 50s...
But then I think of Penny Simkin...she still attends births, right???
Now to answer the OP.......
For younger doulas:
age is not as important as your knowledge, your confidence, whether or not the couple feel that they "click" with you. If the mom feels you are knowledgable, she sees your confidence, and she feels a connection, she will hire you even if her first thought upon meeting you was, "Wow, she's young!"
Maybe we can take turns pushing each other in our wheelchairs to attend a birth .
I can't say I would descriminate by age for my doula. I would not go with a doula who didn't have children of their own however. But 20 year old doula (I'm 28) does not seem "young" to me. I mean, you are an adult after all. And if you have a little experience and/or your own children, great!
There are so many moms in their 20's out there that don't want someone in their 60's as their doula either.
At my doula training, our DONA trainer said she has had 14 year olds take the doula training. Now that is ridiculous to me.
I guess there is a doula for everyone!
What's your opinion of that crazy doula Neshama?
__________________
Well behaved women rarely make history - Laurel Thacher Ulrich
I'm sure you'll do fine.
I personally feel like not having children might be more detrimental than being young, but you don't have that issue. Not to say women without children can't make wonderful doulas (they can!) but no matter your age, you can offer your clients the comfort of knowing you have been there and you made it through. So many of my clients have told me that is what helped them most, knowing I wasn't lying when I told them they could do it because I had been through it before.
Aiden (2/03) and my heart baby (TAPVR) 
Evan (6/07)
Quote:
(not by much though) and am wondering as I get older if in 10 years any of the women who interview me will even want a doula in her early 50s...
.
I'll come with my pigtails and mary janes and lollypop and push you guys! *swings arms* 
