A single mum who had a baby at the age of 50 through IVF says it was ''the right time'' because now she's not partying - and she can "bring her up as I see fit and not have to disagree with anyone". Kelly Clarke, now 52, flew to Athens for IVF treatment but was met with a ‘huge amount of resistance’ from family, she claims. They were concerned at the thought of her being an older mother and using a sperm donor to welcome a child - and not to co-parent, she says. But she knew that being a mum was what she wanted and she welcomed Lyla Rae Clarke in March 2021 weighing 7lbs 8oz. The first-time mum said Lyla Rae was 'the perfect baby - and she couldn’t ask for anything more'. Kelly, of Crawley, Sussex, said she didn't realise how 'deeply in love' with now 18-month-old Lyla Rae she would be. Kelly, a former North Terminal manager for Gatwick Airport, said: "My life is good right now to be a mummy. "‘Right now, I’m the best mummy I can be to Lyla. "It's been the best experience of my life - she's so funny, so incredible and I didn't realise how deeply in love with her I'd be. “I’d been met with a huge amount of resistance from family for deciding to become a single mum at 50. ''They were worried about me and the implications of using a donor – but in that moment I knew I’d made the right decision.'' She added: "Now that Lyla's here they are incredibly supportive and couldn't be a better family to her. I don't know what I'd do without them."