1. Youthful Energy
Believe it or not, they’re right: having kids really does keep you young. It’s not just the child, but the whole environment. I’m surrounded by moms much younger than me at daycare, the park, and play centers. Being around them daily, their upbeat attitude rubs off on me—I don’t take things too seriously and see the world through a fresh, youthful lens.
2. Mistaken Identity
Get ready to be mistaken for your child’s grandmother everywhere you go. Don’t waste energy getting upset—it’s nobody’s fault, and it’s never intentional. I had my child at 43, my daughter is now 17, and I’m 60. When she got her first period, I’d been through menopause for ten years already. That’s just how it goes.
3. Back to the Past
Hormonal swings from pregnancy and childbirth brought back some teenage nightmares: to my surprise, I got acne again, and there were times I cried over the smallest things—even though I thought I’d left that phase behind.
4. The Perks
One of the best things about late motherhood is the wealth of valuable advice everyone offers. There’s no question I can’t turn to my friends about when it comes to kids. Plus, there’s a treasure trove of free baby gear they’ve saved for us since they don’t need it anymore.
5. Health
Wanting to see not just your child grow up but also your grandchildren motivates you to take better care of your health. I’ve never eaten as healthily as I do now—there’s no stronger motivation than this.
6. Questions
Everyone will want to know how you had your child. It could be your dentist, a cashier, or someone in line with you. Did you conceive naturally, or did you use IVF? If so, where, when, how long, how many times, how much it cost, and so on. Many don’t believe I conceived naturally first at 42, then again at 47, but I’ve stopped letting it bother me.
7. Recovery
After 40, your body doesn’t bounce back like it did twenty years ago. Expect pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding to be more challenging. When I heard my pregnancy was called “geriatric,” something I experienced as a miracle at 40-plus, it saddened me briefly—but I quickly moved past it.
8. Different
It’s true—I don’t chase my child around as quickly as younger moms. I don’t climb trees or play soccer with the same energy I had twenty years ago, and my knees can’t handle the back rides anymore. But I’m more mature, calmer, financially stable, and have life experience to share. It’s comforting to know you’ll feel the same.
9. Regrets
Under sleepless nights, stress, and the huge responsibility that motherhood brings, I sometimes feel overwhelmed. At 40-plus, I realize I’m not as young as I’d like to be, and I understand why nature favors women having children in their twenties. I don’t regret having my son—he’s my everything. I only regret meeting the man worth having a child with so late.
10. Don’t Panic
Don’t panic! Motherhood after 40 is one of life’s greatest gifts. Never believe—especially not yourself—that your age makes you any less of a great mom.
