The Old Mama's Club

The impetus for my current short film project, Curdled, came from the acknowledgement that three years ago, I became a member of the "old mama's" club a.k.a., the "geriatric mom's" club, a.k.a., the "what-were-you-thinking?" club; a coveted membership for women who've hit 35 and haven't yet "procreated," and a dreaded one for those who thought the missed period was perimenopause.

I laughingly talk with other members of this club about what it means to be figuring out how to manage the new aches and pains of our 35+ or 40-something bodies... with a baby growing in us.  Or chasing toddlers.  And how different it feels from being 26 or 28 and pregnant, the ages of my first 2 pregnancies.

In her article, "Being an Older Mom," Mary Weidler gives her humorous take on the differences.  I've pasted them below for your enjoyment.  Go to the article in its entirety in Disney's Baby Zone.

Enjoy! 

Excerpt from "Being an Older Mom" by Mary Weidler
...It's easy to tell the difference between the young moms (those that are often mistaken for their child's big sister) and we of the slightly older persuasion. If you're not quite sure, check out these tell-tale signs:

• A young mom chooses her baby's name sentimentally, poring over name books, discussing selections with family and friends, and learning the meaning of every one of her choices before settling on one that fits her family, style, and last name. (Think Alexandria)
• An old mom chooses her child name practically, by length; the shorter the name, the easier it will be to teach the child to print it. (Think Al)
• A young mom demonstrates herkie jumps at the Pee Wee football league cheerleading tryouts without breaking a sweat.
• An old mom sits in the sweaty storage room and counts pom poms ... and still has to have her feet rubbed afterwards.
• A young mom arrives to pick up her son at preschool sporting the latest Jennifer Aniston hairdo and wearing a color-coordinated capris-and-crop top outfit.
• An old mom picks up her son at preschool wearing a tie-dye t-shirt, navy sweatpants, and Keds without socks. Her hair has no style, but there is some toothpaste right in front near the grays.
• A young mom leaves her kids at the sitter so she can have a dinner-and-dancing date with her spouse.
• An old mom leaves her kids at the sitter so she can take a nap.
• An old mom had her first child in the '80s.
• A young mom was born in the '80s...

Of course, there are benefits to being an older mom. We may not have the energy to run the kids from place to place, but sometimes slowing down to blow pufferballs or read Green Eggs and Ham for the 57th times does bring its own special joy. (And we older moms are the very best for reading to our little ones. Our laps are bigger and more worn-in!)"

And, after all, there is a fate worse than being an old mom. I was reminded of this when I tried talking to a "like soul" at my son's roller skating party. She looked to be about my age; her hair was a bit grayer and her mannerisms more relaxed. As a pair of new moms rollerbladed by, I whispered to her, "Oh, well, I guess us old moms just can't keep up."
"You think you got it bad?" my co-conspirator replied. "I have it worse."
"What could be worse than being an old mom?" I asked.
She smiled. "I'm a young grandmom."