As I approach my 50s, I find myself in a unique position—juggling a college student, a high schooler, two middle schoolers, and a first grader. It’s likely that I’m the oldest parent in my youngest child’s classroom, and honestly, I think some of the other moms might be a bit intimidated by me. Maybe it’s my visible signs of aging, or perhaps it’s my fashion choices that scream ‘80s nostalgia. There’s also my attitude of, “I’m too busy to stress over who gets the lead in the first-grade play.” (And for the love of all that is good, please let it not be my child!)
But those moms shouldn’t be put off; they should want to be friends with me. Here’s why seasoned moms make the best allies in parenting.
No Judgment Zone
Let’s face it—older moms are just too exhausted to judge others. We’ve been through the trenches and have seen it all. You can be sure we won’t bat an eye at the snack choices in your kid’s lunch, whether it’s double-stuffed Oreos or orange Cheez Doodles. Lice? No biggie. And if your daughter teaches the class how to twerk or your son drops a not-so-appropriate word on the playground, we won’t flinch.
We understand mismatched socks and clothes that are a bit short. Your messy house? We’ve been there. If you’re sniffing your child’s clothes to determine if they’re clean enough to wear again, we get it. Bringing store-bought cupcakes to the bake sale and hoping no one notices? Been there, done that! We won’t judge your son for wearing a sparkly tiara or your daughter for living in combat boots.
When your child spills the beans about the “loud noises” from your bedroom or when you “forget” it’s your turn for cafeteria duty, we won’t judge. If you send your runny-nosed kid to school after a dose of ibuprofen because you can’t stand those roots for another day, we understand. And if you end up having a bit too much to drink at the PTA dance and do the Harlem Shake with the principal? We’re right there with you, cheering you on!
We won’t bat an eye when your child acts out during assembly or drops some unexpected knowledge about where babies come from. And when your once-perfect little Cub Scout is caught in less-than-ideal situations, we won’t judge either.
Most importantly, we won’t judge you when you start noticing your own wrinkles. After all, we’re in this together as mothers who truly understand.
For more insights on parenting, check out this post about the benefits of being an older mom.
In conclusion, forming friendships with experienced moms can be incredibly rewarding. We offer support, understanding, and a judgment-free zone that every parent can appreciate. So, let’s embrace our shared journey through motherhood!