To promote and support moms (and dads) who have had a baby or child, either through birth or adoption, after age 35. This group is open to first timers or anytimers. It is to show the joy being oldest mom in the class. Discussion will include how to talk to your children about your previous life, how to teach from it and even how to promote it.
Hallmark Can't Make My Christmas Memories
I have seen this Hallmark commercial several times. A woman sits with her baby in her lap on the floor while she unwraps ornaments from her childhood. They are all Hallmark ornaments signifying her first ballet performance and the year she got a bike for Christmas. Then she unwraps a new one from her mother. Porcelain baby booties for the baby's first Christmas.
What Does Santa Bring To Your House?
When I was four years old I told my mother all the things I wanted for Christmas. It was a long list. My mother said "who is going to pay for all that?" I responded "don't worry mama, Santa will bring it." My mother thought to herself - hey this guy is getting too much credit. So she told me that Santa only brings one toy and the rest come from mommy, daddy, grandparents and some relatives.
Parents Behaving Badly
We took advantage of the mild weather Sunday to attend a relatively new event in Newport News, The Wreathing of the Lions at the Lions Bridge on the James River. My husband dropped us off and went to park the car.
Holiday Newsletters - Love Them or Hate Them?
I do not like holiday newsletters - although I read them anyway. We only have a few of people who send us one (or two or three pages). They are always the same people, so when their card arrives in the mail, I cringe before opening it. They usually write about the same things over and over, bragging about their trip to Disney World or their kids' team making the playoffs.
Am I Cheap or Green?
I thought I had a great idea for our annual Christmas homemade treat exchange we have with neighbors, friends and co-workers. Instead of purchasing holiday style containers, bags or plates like I do every year, I will reuse attractive clear containers from fresh salad mixes, store-baked cookies, Frazoli’s Restaurant, etc.
Kids Alone in Car -What Would You Do?
I really never thought I would witness this, but it happened Friday afternoon - two small children were left alone in a car in a shopping center parking lot. This shopping center has some parking places right next to the sidewalk of the shopping center. My daughters and I were headed toward our car as we walked past a car with a toddler crying.
Hang Up And Play!
I see it everywhere, moms and dads on the phone or texting instead of interacting and playing with their kids. It really hit me when on Thursay evening we were at Disney on Ice. During the intermission, my husband and my daughter Charlotte went to the restroom. I turned to Julia, 5, and asked her how she was enjoying the show. The woman behind me was talking on her cellphone.
A Discipline Experiment
My friend and I both have daughters that are seven years old. They both have developed a sass mouth. A little early we thought. We thought it would happen in a few years, not second grade. I don't ever remember having one because when I was growing up with a navy dad, it was simply not done. If we would have talked back, we would have been picking up our faces off the floor.
Done Both - SAHM is Harder, But More Rewarding
I read all the discussions on the Stay-At-Home Mom versus the Not-Stay-At-Home Mom. I have done both. I will say the definition of SAHM no where has the word leisure in it. Currently, I am primarily at SAHM. I work part-time from home about 8-10 hours a week. It was not always this way. I returned to work, 36 hours a week, following 12 weeks of maternity leave after having my first child.
Deep Thoughts - NOT!
One of the hardest parts of parenting I've wrestled with is having my thoughts interrupted. Yesterday, I was trying to decide what to wear, when my daughter came into the closet and asked me to put her hair up in a ponytail. I let out a "let me think!" I felt bad afterwards. But it has been a problem for many years.
When Grandparents Are Divorced
When my daughter, Charlotte, age seven, was just four years old, she announced she was not going to have children. "Why?" I asked. "Because that would make you and daddy grandparents. And grandparents cannot be married. I want you and daddy to stay married," she replied.
There is Nothing Like An Old Friend
While everyone is out there on Facebook trying to reconnect with their best friends from childhood, I am proud to say I have never lost touch with several of mine. I cherish these relatonships as much as I do with my mother. In fact, these friends know my mother well, have since they were kids. These friends are the ones who gave me the chocolate when the frog I kissed stayed a frog.
Enjoy Butterflies and More at Norfolk Botanical Gardens Until Sept. 7
The Norfolk Botanical Gardens is rich in flowers, history and now butterflies. Recently, the gardens opened Flutter Fantasy. The temporary exhibit, opened until Sept. 7, consists of a butterfly garden, a butterfly house and a tall grass maze cut in the shape of a butterfly. The butterfly house is a 30-foot by 100-foot structure with mesh screen all over.
A Time for Water and History
There are just 34 days left this summer. My daughters requested more trips to the beach and a visit to either Water Country or Ocean Breeze Water Park. They also want to go on a dolphin watch from the Virginia Aquarium. I agree, we will do all three. However, I also am looking to prepare them for the start of school.
Take Advantage of Free Shows
My daughters and I have taken advantage of the free live performances in the area and we are loving it. I have always been a big fan of library programs along with parks and recreation programs. So far this summer we have seen a wonderful puppet show, a juggler, a storyteller with a harp and snake show.
Enjoy These Summer Only Attractions
The summer is half way over. My daughters and I have decided to write down what we have done so far. We have been to many programs. Here are two attractions we really enjoyed this summer so far that will end with summer.
Swimming For A Toy
It was a moment of desperation, but I did it. I promised my daughter, Julia, 5, a toy in exchange for sports performance. It worked and given the circumstance, I would do it again. My daughters (the other is Charlotte, 7), are on the Wendwood Wahoos summer league swim team. This is Julia’s first year. At a recent meet, she stood on the block ready for her race.
Parking Lots and Toddlers - Hold Them Close
It was a brief but scary moment on Tuesday when we were in the Kmart parking lot. My daughters and I were getting out of the car. I got my purse out and stood up when I saw a little boy, about three years old, running about three feet in front of his mother towards his father, another two feet away. The dad was putting their purchases in their car. The mother said nothing to her son.
Swine Flu Hits Home
It all started Monday morning at swim practice. Several of the usual Wendwood Wahoos swim moms were in a huddle, one held a clipboard with names written on it. “We have several confirmed cases of swine flu and a couple who have symptoms,” she said. “Swine flu?” I said. I had no idea it was in the Hampton Roads area.
Nail Biting - Someone Please Help!
She is sweet, very smart, and outgoing. She is my daughter, Charlotte, 7, and she is a nail biter. How bad? We have not had to cut her nails since she was a baby. I cannot relate to this. I was never a nail biter and was even admired for my nice fingernails growing up. We have tried the no bite nail polish, but she confessed she just scraps it off.
Comments
Your best bet is to talk with
Your best bet is to talk with your doctor. The chances overall of having a baby with Down's Syndrome are very low and you might be able to have some testing done to find out your risk specifically before you get pregnant and while you're pregnant. You might also want to talk to some moms who have children with Down's Syndrome and get some advice from them. As I understand it, life is, of course, more challenging when you have a serious condition or a child with a serious condition, but still can be rewarding and filled with love.
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Editor, Mytidewatermoms.com
Pregnancy after 35 from WebMD
There is a lot of information about pregnancy after the age of 35 at WebMD here: http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-after-35, hope it's helpful.
34
ok thank you so much
So Glad We Waited - A book
I got this book at the library. It is called "So Glad We Waited." It is an excellent book about parents who have children after the age of 35. It tells of the disadvantages, but mainly the advantages. I cannot tell you how good it made me feel. It made me think about my mom as well who had me at 35 (and my older brothers at 32 and 33). She is well traveled, educated and had done so much that her life seemed so much more interesting than my friends who moms had them in their 20s. Not many people can say their mom went to Cuba before the U.S. cut off ties with them. In fact, my daughter, age 7, bragged about this to her class, after I told her she is probably the only student in the school who has a grandparent who traveled there.
Susan Smigielski Acker
having a baby later on
hi i have a ? i have a three year old daughter and would love to have another but im so scared of down sydrom baby at my age im 33 ill be 34 in jan dose anyone have any thing on this i would love to here from you
Having a baby later
I was 44 when my daughter was born and she is a perfectly healthy three year old now. Because of our "advanced" age (my husband was 47) we went through genetic counseling which ran several non-invasive tests to gauge our chances of having a child with Down Syndrome or other challenges. As the pregnancy continued we had the choice of having other tests done that were more invasive. Talk to your doctor. Everyone is different and your family history can be helpful in answering some of these questions. Because of our age, we have decided to not have another child. Part of the reason is that we have to think of retirement :-).
I do feel like I should be a spokesperson for the "Over 40 Crowd" and letting everyone know that IT'S NOT TOO LATE. At 33/34, I'd think you have lots of time. Blessing to you and your family!!
Congratulations! I'll be
Congratulations! I'll be sharing your story with my friends, most of whom are in their 40s and are feeling like time is running out for them. Everyone is different and I'm glad you tell people to talk with their doctor. They might even want to talk with a few doctors. Not every doctor knows everything and meeting with the right one can change your life!
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Editor, Mytidewatermoms.com
Having a baby
I was pregnant with my first at 37 (I had her a month after turning 38). The chance of having a down syndrome baby was 3 percent. It is a half of percent at age 28. However, my doctor said this "You have a 97 percent chance of having a normal child - that is pretty good odds." Those words stuck with us. I had another at 40. Both of my daughters are smart. My oldest is 7 and has been accepted into the gifted program at her school. I know two ladies who had babies at 42. All three are normal. I say all three because one had twins. The down syndrome scare is overblown. Yes, your chances are higher, but the odds are still with you and your husband. Giving my oldest daughter a sibling is the best gift we ever gave her. She tells us that herself.
Susan Smigielski Acker
me
thanks so much for all your answers and suport