I've decided that there is a reason why women are fertile in their 20's and early 30's. It's because by the time you are in your mid 40's, looking after an infant is E.X.H.A.U.S.T.I.N.G.!!!
Yes, it was babysitting day today for my 18 month old great nephew. The day started at 5.45 when my alarm went off so I would have time for a quick shower and some breakfast before he arrived at 6.15. Then it was non-stop until 4 pm, aside from a blessed nap in the middle of the day.
The kid doesn't stop. He just goes from one thing to the next. Outside, inside, play with this, play with that, come here, go there, up the steps, down the steps, whizzy's, chasey, chase the cat, where's the dog; food, food, finally lets sit and watch Cars 2, 15 minutes later thats enough, on to the next., and on it goes.
I'm 44 and for the first time ever, feeling every year and then some. It's certainly enough to cure my desire for a child!! For today at least, the grief is on the back burner. Whats that? Silence? Stillness in the house? Aahhhhhhhhhhhh................
Time to go watch some Ellen.
He he he...I'm also amazed at kids' energy that seems so boundless. Actually my mother (who had me when she was 32 and had my bro when she was 34) once told me that she wished that we (her kids) could have children "not as late as she did" because she said that her energy level wasn't as high as she grew older (back in her generation where most women got married and have kids already when they were twenty, my mom was VERY late in getting married).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the silence and the stillness in the house! :-D And Ellen! :-D
I hear ya! We've been married 13 years now. Being around the nephews is so hectic. I love going home to my quite and calm home.
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeletelovely post! I agree!
Hell, I'm 32 and my nephews have that effect on me! I think the reason kids have so much energy is that they siphon it off adults...
ReplyDeleteFunny! :)
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as one who had 3 kids at ages 37, 40, and 42, I can say a lot about being an older mom; but this is a blog post and not a book. :)
But... I'll try to be brief and say a few things anyway.
I generally tell people that I can't compare having kids at 25 versus 40 because I didn't have them then. I also say that we all have at least 18 years of parenting regardless of when we had them.
There are ways to "survive" parenthood. As a babysitter, you feel the need to interact with the child constantly and that "will" tire you out. As a parent, if you do that day in and day out, you'd be dead, or near it. :) I'm sure as a teacher, that you know that kids have to learn to entertain themselves sometimes and that is how most of us manage, regardless of age.
However, I'm 55 and my girls are teens. Most of my friends who are this age are now Empty Nesters; enjoying vacations with their husbands, changing jobs, and some are even grandparents. Personally, I am not physically exhausted, but rather mentally at times. They need the kind of attention that requires me to make decisions very often. It is a job to keep track of it all. The physical part gets me sometimes when I have to be in the car too much in one day.
So if I had to do it again, I'd have them a little younger if I were married and ready; only because I'm at the age now where I enjoy "grown up" things and look forward to having more time to do some other things more often than I currently do... because I DO take time for me!
Having said all of that, I'm playing the hand I was dealt and it's okay. :) And it's okay for you, too... with or without children.