By: Jamie Thompson
In the realm of motherhood, there’s a term that often gets thrown around: “advanced maternal age.” In simpler terms, that just means I took my sweet time before jumping into the parenting pool. I found my life partner at 30, tied the knot at 31, and welcomed my first child just shy of 36. While my own mother had me at 41, it never struck me as odd until I stepped into the schoolyard and realized I was a decade older than most of the other moms. Sure, I’ve made some wonderful friends among them, but there are moments that serve as a gentle reminder of our age gap. Here are a few:
- I sometimes think about how I could be the mother of my child’s teacher.
- It’s amusing to notice that some of my kids’ friends have grandparents who are younger than my own parents.
- When my friend talks about her ten-year plan, it takes a moment to snap back to reality that she’s not referring to retirement.
- I find myself in the awkward position of explaining to my kids that having another baby is off the table, without diving into the details they’re not ready for.
- Occasionally, I shock fellow parents with my old-school phrases like “Because I said so,” or “Your face will freeze like that.”
- I have to hold back from dispensing my hard-earned wisdom to younger parents—especially when their kids are older than mine.
- Getting called “ma’am” by another mom makes me cringe. I appreciate the courtesy, but please don’t say it to someone whose kids are the same age as yours!
- When people comment on my kids’ close ages, I remember that I had three in under three years—let’s just say time was of the essence.
- I often wonder why my friend’s hair appointment cost less than mine, only to realize she’s just doing highlights while I’m covering those pesky grays.
- My husband and I sometimes chuckle about “those kids,” referring to other parents rather than our own.
- I contemplate mentioning periods to my 9-year-old daughter, fearing I might forget what they’re like by the time she needs to know.
Despite the quirks of being an older mom, I wouldn’t trade my age for anything. I genuinely believe I would have struggled as a mom in my twenties or early thirties. Still, it would be nice if some of the other parents could catch up—maybe just hit 40 before I hit 50?
For more insights on parenting and fertility, check out our other blog post here. And if you’re considering at-home insemination, Make A Mom offers great options for syringe kits. For additional information on fertility, Science Daily is an excellent resource.
In summary, being an older mom comes with unique challenges and humorous realizations, but it also brings a wealth of experience and maturity that enriches the parenting journey.
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