Love this, Zibby! I am an older mom too. At 48 I have a 5 year old and 19 month old twins! Only 1 person has referred to them as my grandchildren (so far). I stay home and feel caught between being present with them and looking forward to when I will go back to work (which is still a few years away). And I have new eye wrinkles and gray hair too.
So well expressed. Motherhood is a constant race against time - never enough, goes too slow, goes too fast... I used to go into my kids' rooms at night when they were asleep and spend a minute staring at their faces, reminding myself of one precious moment that day and trying to capture and store it for later. Thank you for bringing a few of those moments out of storage!
Love your thoughts and advice. I’m 61 and my son is 31 and my daughter is 29 I always say I wish I could do it all over again. Where did the time go? Now I’m wishing for weddings and grandkids. Time just flies by and as I grow older I keep on moving to enjoy every moment of every day. There’s a saying that was on a little box that I found and it reads “We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing “ Oliver Wendell Holmes” and those words inspire me. Keep doing what you’re doing Zibby. You’re Amazing! And keep those books coming. 😁
Older mom here, too. My baby is 26 and a grown man and I have crepey skin and spend way too much money of beauty products that don't work. I try to be grateful every day though. Because acknowledging the stress and the aging somehow (for me, anyway) makes the joyful moments sparkle even more.
Well put, Zibby. My baby brother's shock of gray Beethoven hair was the initial surprise of our catch-up lunch this week. I felt the pang of missing that sweet kid-- while also so grateful for the wise middle-aged man he's become. A lot to feel!
Zibby, I've been meaning to write to you for two years since I discovered your podcast as I'm in awe of how much you pack in a day - wow! Your podcasts are a highlight as I take my walks or listen to them while doing my chores. I've shared your podcasts with friends and will now share your newsletter - such a gift to women of all ages as we can relate to the many stages of motherhood. Sometimes I miss the days when we had a the kids at home, but I'm grateful for all those memories. Continue to enjoy your full nest and share your musings - love them!
I can so relate!!! This is the first article that held my attention to the end!!! It's amazing/horrifying how fast time goes by!!! Being in the moment is so important!!
Yes, yes, yes. My baby's last summer before heading to college, he's off to work at the summer camp where he is assigned "the Littles," four-year-olds whose days he is in charge of. Hold tight, Zibby. (And the photo in this piece about savoring the clutter is that baby of mine... https://lauranicolediamond.com/2023/04/17/forget-spring-cleaning-in-a-soon-to-be-empty-nest/ )
Oh my goodness. Yes. This made me cry. Mine are 15, 13, and 9. My hopes and goals for myself are bigger than they've ever been, after so many years "at home," maybe because the feeling of time passing has become more acute. I'm growing in my grays and trying to embrace a new stage (and look!). My parents are older. But every now and then it hits hard: I'm so tired. I miss my babies and what felt like simpler times. And my youth! Thank you so much for capturing the fragility of this life stage.
Someone told me a while back that in childrearing the days are long and years short. Ain't that the truth. I now have middle-aged children and teenage grands. Where did the years go, indeed?
I loved your article Zibby!! It brought tears to my eyes. I am a 48 year old working mom to a 16 year old and 14 year old and feel time slipping away like sand through fingers. I sometimes wish you could live life backwards so you could realize how fast everything goes and remember to hold onto it as tight as you can. So nice to know I am not alone in these feelings! Have a great summer and enjoy the ride ☺️
Love this, Zibby! I am an older mom too. At 48 I have a 5 year old and 19 month old twins! Only 1 person has referred to them as my grandchildren (so far). I stay home and feel caught between being present with them and looking forward to when I will go back to work (which is still a few years away). And I have new eye wrinkles and gray hair too.
Hahaha... grandchildren!! The next terrain!! Glad to know I'm not alone.
So beautifully said, Zibby! We are in a season of life where we are pulled and squeezed every which way. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing.
Thank you for responding to it!
A wonderful piece that made me both smile widely and well up with tears. TMN
Thanks, T!!!
So well expressed. Motherhood is a constant race against time - never enough, goes too slow, goes too fast... I used to go into my kids' rooms at night when they were asleep and spend a minute staring at their faces, reminding myself of one precious moment that day and trying to capture and store it for later. Thank you for bringing a few of those moments out of storage!
Haha, out of storage. You're so welcome.
Love your thoughts and advice. I’m 61 and my son is 31 and my daughter is 29 I always say I wish I could do it all over again. Where did the time go? Now I’m wishing for weddings and grandkids. Time just flies by and as I grow older I keep on moving to enjoy every moment of every day. There’s a saying that was on a little box that I found and it reads “We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing “ Oliver Wendell Holmes” and those words inspire me. Keep doing what you’re doing Zibby. You’re Amazing! And keep those books coming. 😁
Thanks, Karen. So true. Making time for play is so important for ALL of us.
Older mom here, too. My baby is 26 and a grown man and I have crepey skin and spend way too much money of beauty products that don't work. I try to be grateful every day though. Because acknowledging the stress and the aging somehow (for me, anyway) makes the joyful moments sparkle even more.
"Older mom..." and rock star author. ;-) Love the sparkling imagery.
this!
my youngest goes to college in less than a month--where did the time go?
two weeks ago, I became a grandma. (my kids are 27, 24.5, and 18)
and, yet, I have deadlines, stiff to get done before the youngest leaves, etc...
Always... stuff!
Well put, Zibby. My baby brother's shock of gray Beethoven hair was the initial surprise of our catch-up lunch this week. I felt the pang of missing that sweet kid-- while also so grateful for the wise middle-aged man he's become. A lot to feel!
You said it perfectly.
Zibby, I've been meaning to write to you for two years since I discovered your podcast as I'm in awe of how much you pack in a day - wow! Your podcasts are a highlight as I take my walks or listen to them while doing my chores. I've shared your podcasts with friends and will now share your newsletter - such a gift to women of all ages as we can relate to the many stages of motherhood. Sometimes I miss the days when we had a the kids at home, but I'm grateful for all those memories. Continue to enjoy your full nest and share your musings - love them!
Thank you, Gail!!! This is so, so nice of you!!
I can so relate!!! This is the first article that held my attention to the end!!! It's amazing/horrifying how fast time goes by!!! Being in the moment is so important!!
Yes! Mission accomplished! ;-)
Yes, yes, yes. My baby's last summer before heading to college, he's off to work at the summer camp where he is assigned "the Littles," four-year-olds whose days he is in charge of. Hold tight, Zibby. (And the photo in this piece about savoring the clutter is that baby of mine... https://lauranicolediamond.com/2023/04/17/forget-spring-cleaning-in-a-soon-to-be-empty-nest/ )
Oh my gosh!!!
Loved your essay! Written beautifully and from the heart. Thanks for sharing your feelings. I admire you as a woman and wonderful mother.👏
Thank you, Susan!
Oh my goodness. Yes. This made me cry. Mine are 15, 13, and 9. My hopes and goals for myself are bigger than they've ever been, after so many years "at home," maybe because the feeling of time passing has become more acute. I'm growing in my grays and trying to embrace a new stage (and look!). My parents are older. But every now and then it hits hard: I'm so tired. I miss my babies and what felt like simpler times. And my youth! Thank you so much for capturing the fragility of this life stage.
Sorry to make you cry!!!
Someone told me a while back that in childrearing the days are long and years short. Ain't that the truth. I now have middle-aged children and teenage grands. Where did the years go, indeed?
Yes... so fast.
That was awesome! So heartfelt.
Thank you!
I loved your article Zibby!! It brought tears to my eyes. I am a 48 year old working mom to a 16 year old and 14 year old and feel time slipping away like sand through fingers. I sometimes wish you could live life backwards so you could realize how fast everything goes and remember to hold onto it as tight as you can. So nice to know I am not alone in these feelings! Have a great summer and enjoy the ride ☺️
Me too, Jen!