Category Archive

older parenthood

My step-son is worried we won’t love him if we have a kid: how can we reassure him?

I’m engaged to marry the love of my life next year. We’ve been together for four years, and I’ve been a step-mother to his eleven-year-old for three-and-a-half of those four years. I really love this kid — I often feel like he could be my own child, and we have a special “just us” language we regularly use. My step-son has repeatedly told us that he doesn’t want us to have a child of our own. His dad and I do plan to have a child, and since we’re older it’ll probably be sooner than later.

Stream of consciousness thoughts on failing at breastfeeding — and surviving

I barely pump anymore, although I can still feed my baby about an ounce of breast milk from one breast every other feeding or so. I’ve given up on my right breast — she’s such an underachiever. I’ll keep taking the prescriptions and supplements and keep hoping that I’m giving my baby girl SOME antibodies and nutrients, but for the most part, my child is fed, and yes nourished, by formula.

Will “older parenthood” really upend American society?

Judith Shulevitz of The New Republic recently wrote a piece claiming the trend toward older parenting will “upend American society.” The article itself is long and comprehensive — Shulevitz discusses the rise of developmental disabilities and delays, men’s declining fertility, and genetic mutations — but definitely worth a read if you’re at all interested in genetics and fertility.

My kids will have a decade between them and I think that’s awesome

Ten years ago I took a pregnancy test that resulted in two blue lines — those two blue lines. Now I’m getting ready to have my second child and loving that my kiddos will have at least ten years between them.

Why age doesn’t matter in marriage or parenthood

Ruth is a twenty-seven year old mama married to a sixty-two year old man — and you thought you had to deal with looks when you go out?!

Coming to terms with the limits of lesbian conception

As a lesbian, I know that there are many wonderful ways to start a family with my partner. But I’m also having to come to terms emotionally with the fact that I will never be able to physically conceive a baby with my future wife.