Parents are having children at a later age; how does this impact the future of family enterprise?  One newspaper article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9928198/Are-older-parents-putting-our-future-at-risk.html claims “American women have their first babies has risen by four years since 1970, up to 25. In Japan – where adult incontinence pads now outsell nappies – it is 29… But nowhere is the trend more pronounced than in Britain. The average age for a first-time mother in the UK has now hit 30…”

While the physical consequences themselves may be significant, how does this impact the future of leadership in family enterprises?  Will children be able to work outside the family enterprise for a sufficient period of time to gain the desired experience?  Will the parents reach the age when they wish to “let go” prior to their children reaching the age when they are prepared to “take hold?”  Will children feel a greater sense of obligation and responsibility to care for their older parents by entering the family business?  What about the need younger generation family members increasingly have to live their own dream?  Will this mean they have to compromise and even sacrifice?  Does this mean the parents will have to work longer than they would like to?    Does this open a door even wider for key non-family executives to serve as interim leaders and mentors for the next generation?

Lots to think about.  And if you are the older parents of younger children, lots to plan for.