My Mom was well in her 40's when I was born, my Dad in his early 50's.
I wouldn't trade the childhood I had with them for the world. By the time I came around, they were able to provide a wise, warm, stable and loving home in a way that even the best-intentioned younger folks wouldn't have known how to do. That I played fewer games of toss the ball or the like in exchange doesn't matter a whit. FWIW.
I really don’t feel the same. As a young adult you get to see your parents get very old very fast, and also when you get internships first job and such your parent has been in retirement for ten years and is clueless about the workforce. Also they’re too old to bother to be grand parents now. Also my old man globally did not give a shit and focus on his own aspirations while he still had free time in good health and financially prepare for his retirement rather than see and help his kid bloom as a young adult. And I can’t really blame him for it.
I wouldn't trade the childhood I had with them for the world. By the time I came around, they were able to provide a wise, warm, stable and loving home in a way that even the best-intentioned younger folks wouldn't have known how to do. That I played fewer games of toss the ball or the like in exchange doesn't matter a whit. FWIW.