We knew a lot of things would change once we had children. There would be less money and sleepless nights. Sacrifices would have to be made. But we were young and strong; we could handle it. Now that we're in our 40s, we think we may have this parenting thing figured out. Here are 10 ways it's apparent you're a parent in your 40s:
You catch your teenagers on their cell phones after midnight since you're pre-menopausal and can't sleep anyway.
You find yourself saying, “If all your friends jumped off a cliff…”, “When I was your age…” and “Because I said so,” even though you swore you wouldn't.
The last time you pulled an all-nighter it was for your 12-year-old daughter's sleepover.
Someone else's child can throw up at a party, and you can continue eating.
You check your child’s myspace or Facebook page as frequently as you check your email.
You drive a minivan because you need the extra room for the morning carpool and after-school basketball practice, and you're fine with it.
You want your child's best friend to be another 15-year-old, not you.
You see the wisdom in having a backyard swimming pool/full refrigerator/Wii/ping pong table because it means they bring their friends home.
You smirk when a child has a tantrum at the store because your own former tantrum-thrower is now in college.
You realize out that your parents were right - about a lot of things.
Karina Bland is raising her 9-year-old son in Tempe with a lot of love, humor and support from her friends and family. A longtime journalist covering child welfare and education issues for The Arizona Republic, she blogs about raising good kids.
Thanks for the humor. I'm
Thanks for the humor. I'm new here and yours was the first one I read. Good start.
Shelley Mulligan
Certified ISR Instructor
480-595-SWIM
How about your nap times are
How about your nap times are the same time or you wish they still took naps so you could too.
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
I thought of another one -
I thought of another one - you can tell you are a parent in your 40's when you can't get up from sitting on the floor like you use to!!
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
As an almost 49 year old mom
As an almost 49 year old mom of 12, 8 and 5 year old boys, I have some other thoughts about being an "older than average" parent.
- Got my first AARP mailing...and I have a kinder-gritter! What's up with that?
- In a couple years, when taking my two youngest to a movie...we'll never have to pay "regular" prices! (I'll be a "senior" and they'll still be under 12!)
- Working full time and raising three sons keeps me "balanced" (ha, ha)
- Someone told me there's a special place in heaven for older "mothers of boys". How can I guarantee this?
- The only "me" time is between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. when the boys are all sleeping. I should be too! (but hot flashes, licking cats and a barking dog usually wake me up then!)
- Do boys/fathers ever grow up? From friends who have sons in their 20s and 30s, I'm pretty confused about this answer.
- I told our sons' pediatrician when I was pregnant with my third son "guess God wants me to raise another organized, compassionate and loving boy!" The response? I think he wants you to learn how to relax, be patient and have more fun.
I think we're both right....
I am a stronger, better person because of my three sons.
Tammy Linn, Mom of 3 Boys