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Robin Gorman Newman Robin knows first hand the challenges of being a 35+ mom. At age 42. she became a mom, and it's changed her life in ways she couldn't have imagined. While in love with her son, child-rearing is no easy feat, and since she is one to look to share experiences, Motherhood Later...Than Sooner was born. Seeking support and camaraderie from peers can be both comforting and fun, and Robin is great at passing along resources as well. A work-at-home mom , Robin is the author of HOW TO MEET A MENSCH IN NEW YORK and HOW TO MARRY A MENSCH. Mensch is defined as a decent person. She also works as The Love Coach and offers socializing advice to singles (www.lovecoach.com). She has a background in public relations and a Masters in Marketing, and is the founder of the Independent Business Women's Circle, a social networking group for enterprising women based in NY. Her work can be found at www.lovecoach.com. Robin is the founder of MotherhoodLater.com and runs the New York City & Long Island chapter of Motherhood Later...Join it at Meetup.com: New York City/Long Island Michelle Caplan I didn't plan to become a first time mom after 35. And I didn't plan not to be a mom for the first time after 35. I met my husband when I was in college at 19, and we married when we were just 24. Having a family was something I always wanted, but we put off starting in anticipation of a time in the future when our lives would be more settled. My husband was in medical training, and I was refining my skills as a holistic therapist, writer and editor and developing/running two businesses. Years slipped by quickly without our sitting down to say now is the time. An unexpected medical condition arose, in our thirties, which complicated our ability to get pregnant. We also suffered several losses. But, I never doubted that we’d ultimately welcome a child into our lives. Our son, Sasha, was born when I was 40, and I have never been happier, more fulfilled or energized. I still edit and evaluate manuscripts; coach women on their motherhood journeys, and write the blog Woman Seeking Mother chronicling my mother quest. I am also hoping for a second child. I believe that we all bring unique experience to motherhood, whether it comes sooner or later. I look forward to fostering and growing the Westchester, NY chapter of Motherhood Later, to promote socialization, support and community. Chris Thompson Many are surprised to learn that our first child was conceived through IVF after 25 years of marriage. While some perceive it s as late, Sarah, currently 18 months old, is our miracle baby and the sunshine of our lives. Soon we’ll be adding to our family..I am pregnant with identical twin boys due December 2009. My husband and I always wanted three children, and while it seemed it was not in the cards for us, funny how things sometimes work out. I feel very fortunate that I'm able to be a SAHM. I've seen Sarah's every first. I never thought I'd be one of those moms who gets all mushy over the little things, but every milestone in her life has been an incredible experience. Before Sarah, I had a working life, I owned my own business for many years. I had a Gourmet, Coffee and Gift store, as well as a Concierge service that catered to the Entertainment Industry for 14 years. I sold in 2003 to focus on becoming pregnant. Having a group like Motherhood Later is so important to me. I need to have a connection with women like myself, who know the joys and tribulations of being an older mommy; who share in the same ideas of raising a child; who may have the answers if I don't or are there just to chat. It’s great to have a support system and the opportunity to socialize. Donna Lebow Bogash A native New Yorker and voice student at the Westchester Conservatory of Music, Donna moved to Boston in 1981 where she eventually became a Sales/Marketing Information Analyst for a manufacturing company. In 1999 she decided to move to Annapolis, Maryland to be closer to her older brother and his family. Eventually, she met and married her first husband at age 32 and they had two beautiful boys, now 15 and 11. Her first son was born when she was 33 and her second at 37. For a few years, she was able to be a stay-at-home mom. When her first marriage ended, she had to head back to work again. She found a job at a local preschool so that her youngest child would be close and not have to be put into day care. She moved to Baltimore County where she worked at the local JCC Preschool until her youngest graduated from kindergarten there. During this time, she met her current husband, whom she married in May of 2003. She still lives in Baltimore County with her husband, two sons and two 65 lb. Goldendoodles. Although Donna didn’t follow through with a career in music, she still enjoys singing and using her voice. She is now beginning a career as a voice over artist with a newly built studio in her home. She feels she is living proof that good things can come later in life. Bren Romano Monteiro I’m a self-proclaimed late bloomer. I left my Miami career in advertising and broadcast production after 15 wonderful years, and headed back home to South Carolina with my husband in hopes of having a child and finally settling down. After multiple heart-wrenching losses, and a failed adoption in the process, I became a mom for the first time at age 40, and I couldn’t be happier. A work-at-home-mom, I attempt to run my sales rep business during my daughter’s nap times, and I spend the rest of the time exploring all that Charleston and Mount Pleasant have to offer a curious toddler. I hope to share my passion for baking with my daughter, and my love of books. I write how-to articles on eHow as my creative outlet, until I get around to finally writing that novel I’ve been talking about. And to no one’s surprise, I now write mostly about baby issues, problems, and joys. Being an older Mom doesn’t bring any double-fudge super special secret knowledge of how to be a mother, but with age and experience, come unique opportunities to problem-solve, troubleshoot, and say “ommmm” every morning before I start my day in a way I might not have been able to 20 years ago. I’d love the chance to get to know other mothers that worked first and mothered next, and I see Motherhood Later as a great opportunity to connect with moms like me. I’m thrilled to start the Mount Pleasant/Charleston chapter of MotherhoodLater.com! Julie Rubin Julie Rubin moved to Denver from Paris, France when her long term relationship with a gorgeous Frenchman ended after years of infertility, including 3 failed IVF's. In Denver, she hoped that the famous Dr. Schoolcraft would help her achieve her goal of becoming a mother, although this time with donor sperm as a single woman. Alas, three more in vitro attempts were no more fruitful. While at the synagogue praying for a baby, she met her husband, Rick, who was saying Kaddish (a Jewish prayer) for his wife who had died of cancer. They were married nine months later, and quickly went to work on that elusive baby. Rick was raising two teenage daughters, and wasn't very interested in returning to sleepless nights and poopy diapers. But he recognized that Julie would never be happy without experiencing motherhood first hand. He agreed to one attempt, and boy/girl twins Noah and Lila were born when both parents were 49 years old!!!! Says Julie, "It wasn't for lack of trying that I became a mother for the first time at such an advanced age. I guess it just wasn't meant to be until the stars all aligned so that Rick could be the father." Julie holds a BS in Occupational Therapy and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Chicago. She has worked as an OT, Director of Rehabilitation Services in a hospital, Management Consultant in business strategy, European Sales Manager for a medical equipment company, Client Services Rep for a dot.com, and International Trade Specialist for the Mayor of Denver. Motherhood of 4 1/2 year old twins, and being step-mother of 22 and 21 year old girls is by far the most challenging, but also the most fulfilling job she has ever held. At age 54, Julie states, "They'll either keep me young, or wear me out!" Amy Wall Lerman Amy Wall Lerman gave birth to her
son Evan
Peter when she was 42 years old. With a 20 year career in television
news behind her, she didn’t think a child would be in the
cards
for her. After two rounds of failed IVF attempts, Amy was ready to
throw in the towel, but her optimistic husband insisted that
“third time’s a charm” and it turns out,
he was
right. Evan was born in November 2007 and is the joy of their
lives. Debbie Martinock I had my son, Ryan, when I was 37 after trying for several years to get pregnant. I got married a bit later than most of my friends (I was 32) and just let nature take its course when it came to having children. I was definitely the oldest mom of all the women I knew, so this group just seemed right for me. I also felt like it was almost destiny that I be a later-in-life mother. My mom had me when she was 39. She never lets me forget that I’m still young and have plenty of time to have more children. Being a stay-at-home mom was really an adjustment for me, and I don’t know if I ever will truly adjust. I think that’s partly why I am organizing this group. That, plus it’s a great opportunity to meet women in a similar situation. Kathryn Rose "I grew up in the central part of CT and then moved to Boston. I returned to Southern CT in 2004, with my husband and we had our first child, Lawrence “LJ” on November 16th, 2007. I am a 38 year old working mother and a sales professional covering New England for a financial services company. I would like to meet other moms in the area who can appreciate having children later in life and the challenges it represents. Motherhood is truly an amazing experience and it would be great to share these experiences with other moms." Nancy James My husband, Robert, and I moved to the area recently with our young son Nathaniel, coming from Tulsa. Prior to that, I lived and worked in the greater Houston metro area as a secondary Mathematics teacher. When I moved to Tulsa, I took a break from the classroom to become the NE regional coordinator for the Oklahoma Schools Attuned program. It is a professional development program for classroom teachers to learn how to work with students with learning differences. Pregnancy and moving pretty much happened simultaneously, and I became a SAHM, for now. Motherhood Later..Than Sooner has allowed me to meet moms in the area which has wonderful since we moved to a new place with no family or friends in the immediate area. Not working has been a HUGE adjustment, and I crave adult interaction and learning opportunities. The group has filled a critical need. My goal is to continue to create opportunities for moms to share, grow from, and interact with each other in our chapter.
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Valerie D'Alessandro Valerie is a 37 year old stay at home mother living in Pittsburgh with her 2 year old daughter, boyfriend, and two pets….parrot Jake and dog Heidi. Valerie spent the first half of her adult life as a professional child care provider. Throughout her career she worked in the toddler rooms of two different daycares, offered temorary child care to families through a Pittsburgh based referral agency called Rent-A-Mom and was employed privately by many families as both a long term nanny and an occasional sitter. She primarily cared for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, but has cared for kids up to age 13 and often provided overnight care for parents on business trips and vacations. At age 35, Valerie was surprised to learn she was pregnant and was very confident in her abilities as a mother. However, after suffering a long labor, an emergency c-section, numerous breast feeding issues and then a colic baby, she was again surprised to find she wasn't the competent, calm mother she expected to be. Over the last two years Valerie has had to relearn child care thru the tired eyes of a weary and worn out mother, often feeling at the end of her rope and hanging by a thin thread to sanity. She has experienced first hand the strong forces behind every mother's lack of energy, will power and proper brain function. Valerie hopes to return to work as a nanny someday, with her daughter by her side. But for now, with the help of her assistant organizers, she plans to build this MLTS chapter into a strong network of support for mature Pittsburgh moms. Connie Gallegos As a daughter and granddaughter of women who had children in their forties, I never thought it was unusual to start having a family later in life. After a fulfilling career for many years as a nurse and nurse practitioner, I felt comfortable taking a break to become a SAHM and am enjoying almost every minute. My son was born when I was 38 years old, and I couldn’t imagine a better time in my life to have had him. It will be great knowing and sharing experiences with other Later than Sooner moms, so I am excited to be a part of this group and to head the Salt Lake City Chapter. Carrie Gruhn Being one of the “younger” Motherhood Later members has never been a difficulty for Carrie. She had her now 4 year old son right after her 35th birthday. Now nearing 40, Carrie enjoys having enough life experience and mom experience to lead the Anchorage Motherhood Later group while still trying to juggle university classes and private music students. Carrie was also her daughter’s Girl Scout leader this past year. “There’s a reason I’m tired,” she says. Genny Jones My full name is Genevieve, but most people call me Genny. I got married at the aged of 37, and it was a shock to many of my friends, as they used to call me the original single girl. I spent my life before marriage on my career, travelling and having fun. I met my then husband at the age of 36, and within six months we got engaged ,and six months later got marriage. I am now 48 years old, divorced and have two boys aged 8 and 10. I work full time as a bookkeeping home tutor, and run my part time confidence building training company. Additionally, I have set up two charities “Lone Parents Can” and “Confident Children”, with the aim of making a difference in people’s life. I also contribute articles to various websites. My simple message to other mums is that success in life can only be achieved by getting rid of negative beliefs, and replacing them with positive visions and aspirations. Take control of your life, and make a difference. Pursue one positive action each day, and your dreams will indeed come true. Carol Anne Standen In my late 20's, I chose to work in the sales and marketing field and traveled whenever possible. I later realized, along with my partner of 16 years, that we wanted to start a family. Considering I was 40, we wanted this transition to family life to happen almost instantly. Gratefully, our son Aaron was born when I was 41. Having siblings ourselves, we felt he should have one. His brother Jordan was born when I was 43. We soon found there to be pros and cons waiting to have children later in life. No one could have told me how much joy and love I would feel, while also feeling stressed and extremely tired all the time! In the past 3 years, we have had 2 children, 1 dog, a wedding, and moved from Canada to the United States. It is refreshing to know there are other moms out there who chose for whatever reason to start or join a Motherhood Later chapter. I feel I can relate better to moms with a similar lifestyle to my own. Elle Christiansen
Elle is on the verge of adopting. Her path to motherhood has
been
long and life-changing. She is
embracing
becoming a mother later in life with all its joys and challenges, and
believes strongly that giving to and receiving from others sharing this
remarkable journey is a gift and a means of grace. Marie (Molly) Watson
Bermuda Chapter  In the space of three years, Marie Watson married, had two children, quit her job and moved three times (“from my house to my-bigger-house to his-now-our house and, finally, across 700 miles of ocean to our rented blue house on a foreign semi-tropical island”). Her two daughters were born when she was forty and forty-one, respectively. “These were all much longed for changes,” she says, “and I sometimes feel that I still haven’t fully processed it all. Pregnancy and motherhood have been more wonderful and physically challenging than I ever dreamed possible – I feel like I have to run laps to keep up with these rambunctious toddlers. And now we have a pet rabbit and I get to watch amazing kids’ DVDs (was the animation this good when we were growing up?) – motherhood lets me re-experience the good life!” Cindy Laursen I became a first time mom at 41. I grew up traveling the world, and spent my 20’s finding out who I was, and my 30’s realizing what I wanted out of life. I met my husband when I was 36. Because we had a lot of difficulty getting pregnant, and then a lot of help getting Jack here, I left my job in Human Resources to spend my time raising our little miracle. I’m grateful for this gift and I don’t want to miss a minute of it. Jack has taught me what it feels like to be a kid again. Being in this situation you are kinda in the middle of things. Most of my friends my age have grown children, or decided to remain childless. I’ve made friends with the younger moms but sometimes feel a bit out of place. So here’s to Motherhood Later… Karen Hamilton
Toronto Chapter 
After years of being told to "just relax", "come home now, my temperature's up" phone calls to her husband, scary drugs she'd rather not
think about and bonding with other women over bad coffee during early morning waits at the infertility clinic, Karen became a proud first-time
mom at age 35. Her second daughter came home almost five years later. Laura Oman-Poole I am a 38-year-old, proud mother of twin two year olds and 2 step-children (13 & 15). I actually never thought I would have children myself, but after three years of dating my husband, I experienced a funny feeling, which in hindsight, could have been, “my clock ticking”. Ironically, with the next “funny feeling”, I found out I was pregnant with my daughter at 34. Unfortunately, at 4 months old, we lost her. Exactly one year after our tragedy, I decided my life needed to take a turn. I had spent 15 years in Cosmetology and loved it; however, through our experience, I was drawn towards the medical field….and I wanted to have another baby. So, I went back to school and worked part-time consulting and training. Meanwhile, after much prayer, we found out that two little heroes were going to enter our world. It’s been both amazing and challenging. Being a later mom has so much to offer, but as I aspired to achieve my motherhood goals, I found little support. Through MotherhoodLater.com, I hope to give back what I have learned thus far to similar mothers, sharing thoughts, tips, and laughs. Georgia Dardick Georgia Dardick became a first time mother at the age of 51. After marrying at 37, she and husband Bill made the journey through infertility and adoption, before conceiving daughter Myra through invitro fertilization. Myra was born in January 2009, and Georgia and Bill are happily balancing parenthood and busy careers in South Florida. Georgia is Managing Director for CKR Interactive, an interactive advertising agency specializing in human resource communications. A Florida Keys native, she currently resides in Boynton Beach, FL with her husband, daughter, and a cantankerous bulldog named Lucille. |
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