Tag Archives: Older Parents

Is Parenting Experience Different for Older or Younger Parents?

I started out on this motherhood path rather young—23, when my first daughter was born. I didn’t feel particularly young at the time and definitely did not feel “too young” to be a mom. I thought that I would become a mom again as an older parent, but that hasn’t happened yet so now, in my forties, I am a typical mom of teens. I have friends, however, who have both been “young” parents like me and waited until recently to embark on the path of parenthood. What I am unclear about is whether the parenting experience is really all … Continue reading →

Are You Taking Care of More Than Just Your Child?

While some of us may be single parents taking care of our children, others of us have parents, grandparents or other people for whom we have become responsible. When I think about how busy and overwhelming my life can be just taking care of three children, I have nothing but awe and respect for those who are taking care of others as a single parent too! Everything I write here about time management, self-care, and getting help goes double (or triple) for those who are sandwiched in between caring for children and caring for aging parents, grandparents, or someone with … Continue reading →

Fears, Myths, and Realities About Being and “Older” Mom

While I write often here in the Parents Blog about life with three teenagers as a single parent, I do not really write about my plans to continue parenting and add to my family through adoption. As I sit on a “waiting list,” waiting for a referral, I do some volunteer work with some local special needs adoption organizations and prepare myself for becoming a single mom all over again. I have a few very supportive friends (whom I cling to) and plenty of people who wonder why on earth I would want to continue parenting now that I’m nearly … Continue reading →

In the News: Older Fathers and Fertility

When we think of fertility issues we typically think of women as being the ones with the problem, especially older women. But what about older men? We hear a lot about men fathering kids in their sixties and beyond (Tyler’s father was 57 when I conceived). A resent study says that as men age they also have diminished fertility. In the study, 1,938 couples from 59 in vitro fertilization clinics in France were studied. The researchers found that for women between the age of 35 and 37 who were trying to have a baby with a man older than 40, … Continue reading →

Why Some Older Parents Are Hesitant to Discipline

For some older parents, especially those with one child, discipline can be a dirty word. Although they realize they should be setting limits some are hesitant to do so. Why is this? If you are an older parent with one child, more than likely you and that child will have more than a parent-child relationship– you will be, dare I say it?–friends. It’s only natural since you spend so much time together. And most parents like this feeling. The problem comes in when the child has to be disciplined, and no matter how well-behaved your child is, there will come … Continue reading →