Contrary to popular opinion, raising older kids (i.e. can quantify their age(s) using more than two hands) does have its perks: I don't worry so much about having age-appropriate conversations.
Because, as most parents of older kids already know, I consider myself pretty gosh-darned lucky whenever my teens DO decide to talk to me, AT ALL.
Son: Madonna needs to retire.
My 15yo son and I were watching the Grammys, last night. Oh, and just so you know, watching an award-type or reality show with your teen(s) is NOT ONLY a good way to spark conversation(s), it can be quite an enlightening AND entertaining experience — especially when teasing your son about the tween-crush he had on Katy Perry.
Me: You know, she's not that much older than me.
I meant Madonna, not Katy Perry, but you've probably already figured THAT ONE out, right?!? RIGHT?!? Riiiiiiiiiiight, moving on…
Son: No, she's like 60, but I don't think of you as THAT old.
The OTHER thing about raising teens: I have since learned to take a compliment, whenever I can get one, back-handed as it may be.
Aaaaaand, therein lies the rub.
Me (hitting up Google): She is almost 56.
On the one hand, I'm glad that ALL of my kids have admitted their having a hard time with my getting older, in the sense that they don't consider me old.
Son: Which makes her eligible to live in a retirement community.
On the other hand, as a blogger who's already been labeled as "past her parenting prime" 5 years ago, I sort of know how Madonna feels.
Me: Yes, but it doesn't mean she should stop expressing or even pursuing her passion for music.
So, why am I having such a hard time admitting my own age?!? Outloud?!? And everything?!?
Until, I visited with my friend Danielle (a.k.a. Extraordinary Mommy and one of the most confident women I know), reading Danielle's blog post on renewing, refreshing and reinventing herself and how celebrating 40-something birthdays has affected her, beyond the annoying physical transformation that occurs, damnit:
"I experience it in my heart and in my tolerance for other people. I feel it in my confidence and in my lack of desire to change me to please you. I feel it in how I am teaching my daughter to (hopefully) settle in to HER long before I settled in to me."
I still believe that "you're only as old as you feel" is relative and/or subjective (some days, I feel older than dirt), but I don't think I have ever felt MORE comfortable than I do, living in my own skin for nearly half a century, right at this very moment.
That being said, I'm not quite sure about tomorrow…let alone, 5 months from now…either.
Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.
Which is EXACTLY why I started this blog, in the first place: to help OTHER parents feel a little better about themselves AND I am pretty proud to say that mission statement has not changed in 10 years.
So, for the SECOND time in internet history (counting the comment I left on Danielle's post), I am MORE than ready to admit: this is what being able to quantify my age…using almost 10 hands…looks like AND I'm okay wit-it.
Son: Yes, but I don't think Dad would like you dressing like Madonna.
**one beat, two beats**
Me: Not as far as YOU know, not in public, anyway.
**facepalm**
I just thought of another perk to raising older kids: being able to count the number of times you were able to have your teen(s) perform a **facepalm** using both hands, yeah it IS pretty awesome.
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Comments
108 responses to “Confession: I’m almost 50 and I’m okay wit-it.”
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Love this post! I think that being in our mid- to late-forties and fifties is just so much different from the generation before, for us non-celebrity folk. (or at least it FEELS like it!) Although I usually say that I aged out around 24 because that’s how I feel, I wouldn’t go back to my twenties if I had the choice because I love who I am today. And I love who you are today. Also, you’re dang pretty. Also, I hope to come back to your house soon so we can instigate a few face palms together, because that’s fun stuff. xo
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
Oh also, as you know I couldn’t watch the Grammy’s but did look up pictures and such, and all I can say is that I’m so GLAD I’m not someone who is worried so much about aging that I have to do all kinds of uh, things, to combat it.
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
You're right (of course, Melisa!) Madonna took such a beating, from what I've read and seen in the press, about her appearance last night. It made me sad, but glad be a non-celebrity and able to age however the heck I want, dangit. I just love that and you <3
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
MY FRIEND!!! I’m trying to count the number of ways I love this post (and you) and I ran out of fingers. You are brave and confident and BEAUTIFUL.
And this?
“Motherhood has changed my mind about a lot of things and, in my opinion, it is almost impossible to raise confident and kind-hearted teens, without shining a light on my own shortcomings and imperfections, as a parent and/or as a person.”
Is a treasure. It IS impossible to raise kind-hearted children who we want desperately to turn in to kind-hearted children without embracing our many shortcomings and imperfections – emotionally and physically (many which come with aging, but ALSO bring a beautiful version of wisdom) – I so agree with you.
What a gift you have for friendship, for mothering, for embracing YOU and for showing others just how glorious it can be to take a deep breath and be comfortable with yourself. It isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright difficult, but we’re both surrounded by good.
I’m proud to know you. Thank you for including me in this, and for your kind words. You make me better.
xoxo
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Today IS most definitely a good day, my friend <3
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Please dress like Madonna. PLEASE! I want to see THAT selfie.
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
Aaaaaand…you know I would Instagram thehelloutofit too…Momo 🙂
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
At least you don’t have to use a cane like Madonna 🙂 xoxo
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Truth…not yet, anyways.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
You totally zinged your kid with that last comment, that is too awesome.
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉
Yes, yes it was and thanks for noticing, Skye 😉