Let me tell you, I’ve been tagged with the term “advanced maternal age” by doctors, which basically means I took my sweet time getting to parenthood. I met my partner at 30, tied the knot at 31, and welcomed my first child just before I hit 36. While I never thought much of my age—my own mom was 41 when she had me—everything changed when my kids started school. Suddenly, I realized I was around a decade older than many of the other moms. Sure, they’ve become great friends, and I usually don’t think about the age gap—until I do! Here are some amusing reminders that I’ve crossed the threshold into seasoned motherhood:
- I’m at an age where I could feasibly be the mother of my child’s teacher.
- Some of my kids’ friends have grandparents younger than my own parents.
- When a friend mentions her 10-year plan, I pause, wondering if she’s talking about retirement or something more exciting.
- I often find myself awkwardly explaining to my kids why having another baby isn’t in the cards for us—talk about a tricky conversation.
- Occasionally, I shock other parents with classic lines like “Because I said so” or “Your face might freeze like that.”
- I have to hold back from sharing my wisdom with younger parents; it can be a bit awkward when their kids are older than mine.
- I’ve been called “ma’am” by other moms. Now, don’t get me wrong—I appreciate the Southern politeness of “ma’am” and “sir,” but it’s a double-edged sword when it comes from someone with kids the same age as mine!
- People often comment on how close in age my kids are. When you start late like I did, it’s a race to fit them all in! I managed three kiddos in under three years, with my second and third just 11 months apart.
- I sometimes wonder why my friend’s hair appointment was so much cheaper than mine, only to realize she’s just getting highlights, not full gray coverage!
- My partner and I fondly refer to “those kids”—and we mean the other parents, of course!
- I contemplate having “the talk” with my 9-year-old daughter about periods, worried that by the time she needs it, I’ll forget what it was like!
Despite my so-called advanced maternal age, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I was probably not cut out to be a mom in my twenties—or even early thirties for that matter. Still, it would be great if some of the other parents could catch up a little. So, hey, can you all just hit 40 before I reach 50?
For more information on parenting and home insemination, check out this excellent resource: Rmany. If you’re considering the journey of motherhood, you may also find helpful insights at Make a Mom regarding the at-home insemination process. Also, don’t miss our post on intracervical insemination for additional support.
Summary: Navigating motherhood later in life can be a unique adventure filled with humorous realizations about age, parenting, and the delightful chaos that comes with raising kids. Embracing the joys and challenges of being an experienced mom can lead to some truly entertaining moments, even if it means facing the occasional age gap among peers.