I just turned 40. Also known as cares-about-thread-count-of-sheets-years-old. My twin boys will be seven next month. I see so many moms in their 20’s and 30’s, and, to be honest, they make me feel old. They look so youthful. They look so fit. Where do they get their yoga pants? Are they wearing Spanx? Their top knot looks so good, while I think I’m on day four of using dry shampoo. But it’s okay; I’ve made my peace with being an old mom with young kids.
Let’s get real about how I am growing old disgracefully. If you can relate to any of these, you might be like me; an old mom with young kids:
ENERGY
The biggest difference I see is the energy level. Young parents chase their kids at the park. Me? I shout accolades from the park bench, sipping a frap and making small talk with the grandmas. Oh gosh, do they think I’m a GRANDMA, too?! Insecurity creeps in, and this old mom hops on Amazon for eye cream and make an appointment with my stylist to cover the gray hairs.
TIME
I know a young mom who literally hand-makes all the decorations (including piñatas!) for each of her kid’s birthday parties. I yelled at her! I asked, “How do you even know how to make a piñata?!” She is a total Pinterest mom. I’m more of an Amazon Prime mom. But the bigger question remains: how does she find the time? Her simple answer: she stays up late. As an old mom, if I stay up too late, I fall asleep on the couch and wake up the next day to the sounds of my husband’s newfound love for vinyl mixed with the not-so-harmonious sounds of my kids arguing.
EXPERIENCE
I may not have as much energy, and I may pay the price for staying up too late, but I was married for 15 years before I became a parent. I have traveled the world, I’ve worked at some good jobs and some not so great jobs. I’ve chased my dreams, and I’ve lived enough life to know there will be a life after kids because my life was full before kids. So, I guess I’ll take being the voice of experience (translate: old mom) to cheer on the young Pinterest moms who are burning the candle at both ends and look good doing it.
At the end of the day, I don’t have time for insecurity. I need all the moms in the mom tribe, and I admire each one of you. What about you? Do you consider yourself a young or old mom? Do you find yourself caught in the comparison trap?
