As someone who has what the medical community refers to as “advanced maternal age,” I have learned that being a late bloomer comes with its own set of experiences. I met my partner at 30, tied the knot at 31, and welcomed my first child just shy of 36. While I never thought of my age as unusual—my own mother was 41 when she had me—everything changed when my kids started school. Suddenly, I realized I was a solid decade older than many of the other moms. Although I cherish the friendships I’ve formed with them, there are moments that serve as a humorous reminder of my age. Here are some of those moments:
- It dawned on me that I could easily be the mother of my child’s teacher.
- I’ve noticed that some of my kids’ friends’ grandparents are younger than my own parents.
- A friend chats about her 10-year plan, and it takes me a moment to grasp that she’s referring to life goals, not retirement.
- Explaining my age-related decision to not have more children to my kids can be tricky—especially when they are still learning about how babies are made.
- I sometimes shock other parents with classic phrases like “Because I said so” or “You’ll freeze your face like that,” which seem a bit outdated nowadays.
- I find myself holding back from giving unsolicited advice to younger parents, especially when their kids are already older than mine.
- When another mom calls me “ma’am,” I feel a jolt. I appreciate the southern politeness, but please, not from someone with kids the same age as mine!
- People often comment on how close in age my children are. After starting my family later, I had three little ones under three, with my last two only 11 months apart.
- I wonder why my friend’s hair appointment was significantly less expensive than mine, only to remember that she just opts for simple highlights, while I’m covering the gray.
- My husband and I fondly reminisce about “those kids,” referring to other parents rather than the children.
- I consider discussing the topic of periods with my 9-year-old daughter, fearing I may forget what it was like by the time she gets hers.
Despite the quirks that come with having kids later in life, I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything. I know I would have struggled as a mom in my twenties or even my early thirties. It would be nice, though, if some of the other parents could age up just a tad—maybe hitting 40 before I turn 50 would be nice?
For more insights on family planning, check out this excellent resource on intrauterine insemination and if you’re interested in boosting fertility, Make a Mom has great information on supplements that may help. And for tips on navigating parenting, visit our other blog for engaging discussions.