The Crib: A Blog for New Parents

A friend of mine works in the birthing center of our local hospital. The other day she commented on how many new mothers she sees, that are in their late 30’s, early 40’s. I must say that I was a bit surprised. But only a bit. I was 31 when I had my last 2 babies, not so very old by the standards of today, but still relatively rare back then. LOL

My stepchildren were 17, 13, and 12. My own daughter was 10, and they all thought I was crazy. In hindsight, I think I was crazy too. Of course, it wasn’t like I had planned to have another baby after 30, but fate had plans of her own, namely the second baby I had exactly 9 months, and 6 days after her sister. I will never forget the look on my oldest daughters face when I told her she was going to have another baby brother or sister. And her verbal reaction was pretty memorable also. She said, “But I still haven’t decided if I even like this one”.

All that aside, this article was supposed to be about having a baby when the other kids are already almost grown. If I hadn’t had the little ones, I would have so much freedom, lol, well mostly just free time. Or, if I’d had my girls closer together, they would all be teen agers now. That is kind of scary actually.

With the older kids, I had a lot more rules than I do for the little ones. I just don’t seem to have the will power that I did with the older kids. Plus, so many of things I was strict about then don’t seem so important now. The older kids shake their heads at me when I allow the little ones to get into bed with dirty feet, but really, sheets can be washed.

Being the oldest mother at the kindergarten activities is kind of hard on the self-esteem too. I’m probably the only mother in either of my girls classes who has grey hair, and isn’t a size 3.

When the older kids were little, I was a lot more patient than I am now too. Being a young parent has some advantages, like stamina and energy. Although now, I am more relaxed about a great many things, that I never would have let the older ones get away with. Like eating in the living room and finishing their supper. If they go to bed without a snack, whose fault is that? Not mine, I finished my dinner.

When I think about how different life would be now, I must admit I have a few regrets. So many things I would have done differently if given the chance. I love my little ones, I truly do, but…raising kids is a whole new ball game the second time around. And this time, I am the underdog.