June 2014
We officially announced our pregnancy this month. What a FUN time! Announcing it on Facebook, I was somewhat surprised by all the positive responses. I only say that because I’d be considered an older mom. An older pregnant woman. If my OB/GYN wanted to make me feel bad, he could use the technical term of geriatric pregnancy! I have heard of that term and it sounds so….ridiculous. A woman who is pregnant at age 35 and older is suddenly considered geriatric? Anyway, thankfully, he has NOT said such a thing to me. But let’s face it, most of my friends are raising teenagers now. A few are even grandparents already and here we are… just starting our family. I sometimes wonder how our baby will feel later on about having older parents. I’m hoping he or she won ‘t be bothered by it too much. That ‘s my hope. 🙂
I do know some people frown upon older women having babies. There is this belief that being older parents is selfish. It is selfish because couples like us are viewed as old and have a high risk of dying before our child would turn 18.
I had done some of this research for my thesis a couple of years ago. I figured I would search out the statistics to see if there was some truth to such beliefs. Studies had shown that older parents were just as likely to see their children graduate high school as younger parents. In fact, it was more likely than not. The reason is, older parents are aware they are older. They take better care of themselves. They exercise more frequently, stay in shape and eat healthier. They don ‘t engage in risky behaviors. They are also more financially secure which alleviates some of the stress in raising their children. Good to know!
However, the wide generation gap could possibly create conflict due to changing trends, advanced technology and the way our children will view and perceive the world. That could be a concern if us older women lived under a rock and were clueless I guess. But overall I am convinced we all are just as capable as younger women when it comes to doing our best for our children while enjoying every minute of it. With all that said, some people knew we were struggling with infertility and how much we wanted to be parents. To see such kind words from people was overwhelming. I felt so grateful for the people I had in my life with all of them sharing in our excitement. I picked a handful of responses that simply made my day. People may not have known what to say while we were struggling but they sure knew how to cheer loudly when it finally happened.
Congratulations! How awesome for you both! You will be wonderful parents. I am so happy for you, this news bought tears of happiness to my eyes. You will be wonderful parents! Praise God! How wonderful! You will be the very best mom and dad! OMG! Congratulations just doesn ‘t seem a strong enough word. What a blessing… Welcome to the club. Hang on to your hats and coats it is a fun ride We are so excited for you!!! No one deserves this more!!!! Congratulations and you will both no doubt make amazing parents!!!! Xoxo OH MY GOSH!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!! I am SOO super excited, thrilled, and ecstatic for you guys!!!! This is amazing news! Awe!!!! I ‘ve been waiting for this to happen! You are going to be amazing parents! God has blessed you with a miracle! Congratulations I am so happy for you 2 – it couldn ‘t have happened to anyone better Yeah my dear friend. I am so very excited for you both. YIPPEE!!!!!!!! Can ‘t wait to hear posts of this new journey with you both. You both are going to make great parents!!!!! It will be a new journey and your lives will never be the same (for the better!). Congratulations!
I am definitely looking forward to embarking on the new journey of parenthood.
