My first daughter was born when I was 28 and my second came bounding into the world just one month shy of my 40th birthday. Yes! I am one of “those” parents. 🙂 The ones that get looked at at school functions while people are whispering……. “Is that her grandma?”. You do get some strange looks from time to time but until you are one of “those” parents yourself I don’t think you will quite understand what it entails. So as usual I will tell ya.
You Have More  Patience When Your Older is a Crock – Woooh! Hey now……. those words are a little harsh! LOL Seriously though when people say that they have no idea what they are talking about. When your “older” you are tired!!! I know there are some of you that are 25 who are reading this and you think I’m nuts. When you have a 2 year old jumping up and down on your back screaming……. “MOM!! I gotta peeeeeee!” your body is screaming…… NOOOO NOT AGAIN!!! It’s a rough deal being an older parent and your body will scream at your for it.
People Will Stare and Talk – When you become an older parent people will stare and talk about you with a vengeance. They will look at your gray roots and wrinkles on your face and think that you are really the Grandmother that is taking moms place while she is hard at work. They will even look at your child and say “Oh look you brought Grandma and Grandpa with you today” really people it happens! Then you will stop and explain that you are mom and you will get dead silence for a minute while they try to cover their mistake. Then they will take what seems like half of your day praising what you do every day of your life. Ignore them……. they have no clue what they are talking about.
Your Child Will Expect You to Act Like Your in Your 20’s – They have no idea you are older than any of their other friends moms and dads and they will expect you to act just like they do….. and you will. No matter how bad your body is screaming out for a hot bath because your back feels like it’s breaking and your knees are close to being shot. Just grin and bear it! You will make it through the day I promise. 😉
You Will Want to Go to Bed when Your Child Does – So much for down time for this mom and dad. When they kids go to bed I am ready to hop in myself. My body screams for sleep just as much as my daughters does. Every night I swear I am going to stay up late and read the book I have had on my nightstand for the last three years and then….. NOPE IT AIN’T HAPPENING! Get over it and get some sleep because you have to do the same thing tomorrow.
None of Our Friends Have Kids – This one is a big one. You really don’t get invited to do ANYTHING! Your kids friends parents think you are older than dirt and your friends your age are doing things without kids because they are all out of the house so you are left with nothing to do…….. It can become quite frustrating. So with no invites to go anywhere you will become a hermit with only your kids and spouse as your friend. Who needs friends anyway….right??
Ok you guys! Now that I have scared the crap out of you and changed your mind forever on becoming an “older” parent I have to say that everything I said above is said to make you laugh. Yes, these things are true but I would not change my life of being an older parent for anything in the world! There are so many good things that I would have missed out on if I had never had children.
When you are an older parent you know what it’s like to take time to smell the roses. You will enjoy seeing the world through your child’s eyes more than you ever would have if you were younger. You are able to pass on the things you have learned in your life that you never would have being a young parent. You will enjoy life like you never have before and will love every tired minute of it. No matter if you are young or old children are the biggest blessing in the world and should be enjoyed. I am very glad I am an older parent and wouldn’t change any of it!!
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