Chapter Leaders
Robin Gorman Newman, NYC & Long Island Chapter
Michelle Caplan, Fairfield County, CT/Westchester, NY Chapter
Valerie D’Alessandro, Pittsburgh, PA Chapter
Jean Marie Keenan-Johnston, Bucks County, PA Chapter
Margaret Rood, Northern Virginia Chapter
Lynn Olejniczak, Chicago Chapter
Chris Thompson, Los Angeles, CA Chapter
Jennifer Walsh, Fort Worth, TX Chapter
Amy Wall Lerman, Northern New Jersey Chapter
Genny Jones, Kent, United Kingdom Chapter
Carolyne Blaschek McNabney, Toronto Chapter
Michelene Irving, Greenville, SC Chapter
Heather Boser – Raleigh, NC Chapter
Wendy McCallister – Antelope Valley, CA Chapter
Nicole Harper – Huntsville, AL Chapter
Jackie Womack – Lansing/Mid-Michigan Chapter
Mary Fritz – Cincinnati, Ohio
Lisa Spahr – St. Louis, MO Chapter
Robin Gorman Newman – NYC & Long Island Chapter
Founder, MotherhoodLater.com
Robin became a mom at age 42, and it changed her life in ways she couldn’t have imagined. When her son was less than a year old and in a mommy ‘n me program, she noted she felt different than younger moms. She had more life experience, and yearned to connect with peers where age was an asset not an issue. Looking around for mom groups to meet her needs, she found nothing, and hence, Motherhood Later…Than Sooner (MLTS) was born. She has since made lifelong friends through the organization, as have other later mom members and chapter heads.
A work at home mom, Robin is also Associate Producer of Motherhood Out Loud that had a successful Off Broadway run at Primary Stages in NYC and is touring. As a Love Coach and author, How to Meet a Mensch in NY and How to Marry a Mensch (being adapted for the stage), she has made appearances at shows including Dinner with Friends and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. She’s been seen on CNN and The Today Show and has spoken at Canyon Ranch and Mohonk Mountain House. She is a member of The American Society of Journalists and Authors and has a background in public relations and a Masters in Marketing. She is also founder of the Independent Business Women’s Circle, a social networking group for enterprising women based in NY. Her work may 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 – Fairfield County, CT/Westchester, NY Chapter
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.
Valerie D’Alessandro – Pittsburgh, PA Chapter
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.
Jean Marie Keenan-Johnston – Bucks County, PA Chapter
At age 36, mine was the life found in dreams! I met my husband, a teacher and former Army man, on Match.com. Anxious for children, we were elated to learn we were expecting shortly after our wedding. I had found my dream job as a teacher, and my two siblings, a brother and sister, were also expecting! In one year, my parents welcomed four grandbabies, and we were all thrilled! Our own little family of furbabies (two cats) grew when we brought home Mackenzie, an adorable Bichon pup who stole our hearts (another dream I was waiting to make happen in adulthood). Life was following a perfect path until a curve ball hit…
I was diagnosed with severe fibromyalgia when my baby was eight months old. I lost my dream job when I was permanently disabled from work only months into my pregnancy. Other health problems followed that limited what I could do with my children as well as my hobbies and interests. One blessing came to us despite all this; our daughter Jessie, who is now 3 years old. My oldest daughter, Kerrianne (now almost 5) had a sibling after almost two years of worry that it wouldn’t happen. Then, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer just before my 40th birthday. However, after a year of treatment to include chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, and continuing Tamoxifen, I’m happy to report that I’m enjoying life in remission! Today, as I celebrate each day as a cancer survivor, I live life looking for the positive and support others raising children despite chronic pain and cancer through my Facebook page and blog. Princesses, Playdates and Parents In Pain seeks to support chronic pain patients and their caregivers and provide information they may find useful in their daily lives as parents.
I’m excited to serve as the Chapter Head for the Bucks County, PA Chapter of Motherhood Later! My entire family has been blessed to have moms’ groups be an important part of our lives. The support we’ve received as well as the wonderful social events we’ve attended have helped us maintain a fun life filled with friends, despite the limitations imposed by my health. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to pay it forward and share that with moms who join the Bucks County Chapter!
Margaret Rood – Northern Virginia Chapter
I became a mother in middle age after living most of my adult life believing I would remain happily childless by choice. A demanding career in IT, interests that engaged me, minor health challenges, and a husband who was unenthusiastic about children, made me feel that having kids wasn’t practical for me. Changing circumstances led me to rethink my decision in my mid-forties…a decision that nearly cost me my marriage. When adoption turned out to be a less viable option than I’d hoped, my sister encouraged me to seek fertility treatment. I got pregnant with twins on my second attempt with treatment and gave birth at age 48 to two healthy boys.
I continue to work supporting assistive technology systems to help disabled people work for a large federal agency. Most of my peers have empty nests, or older children, even in this area where so many women postpone childbearing for their careers. As the head of a Motherhood Later chapter in Northern Virginia, my goal is to help connect later moms like myself to share the parenting experience.
Lynn Olejniczak – Chicago Chapter
I became a mom for the first time at 38 years of age and again at 44. While pregnant the first time, I was concerned with how I was going to incorporate my busy urban lifestyle into motherhood. That all changed the minute I held my daughter in my arms. By the time my son came into this world, my only concern was how I could spend every waking moment with both of them.
Prior to motherhood, I spent over a decade in the financial world in both Chicago and New York, cooked professionally and jumped out of airplanes in my spare time. Being a mom later in life has allowed me to take myself a lot less seriously. I’ve seen the fallout of real catastrophe and a public diaper accident doesn’t compare.
Chicago is a great place to raise children as there are a million different things to do here. And I know some of the best are free! I’m hoping to share my knowledge of being a Chicago Mom with other moms and learn a lot along the way.
Chris Thompson – Los Angeles, CA Chapter
Many are surprised to learn that our first child was conceived through IVF after 25 years of marriage. While some perceive it as late, Sarah is our miracle girl and the sunshine of our lives. We also have two identical twin boys, Ryland and Dylan, born December 22, 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. Although life is crazy, we have the family I’ve always dreamed of.
I feel very fortunate to be a SAHM. I’ve seen my children’s every first. I never thought I’d be one of those moms who gets all mushy over the little things, but every milestone 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 the same ideas of raising children; 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.
Jennifer Walsh – Fort Worth, TX Chapter
My name is Jennifer; I’m 39 and have been married for 16 years. I grew up in a small town in Illinois, riding horses, fox hunting and pony clubbing my way through college. I have three dogs and love all animals. I dabble in various crafty pursuits (when time permits) and love to read books from suspense to romance and everything in-between.
I met my husband at the age of 22, and we married shortly thereafter. He is a US Marine who plans to retire in 18 months. Over the years, we have relocated quite a bit. Each time we moved, I had to jumpstart a new career and reestablish relationships with health care professionals. Needless to say, it made trying to conceive difficult.
Children were something we both always wanted, but I had medical issues that were only recently diagnosed. We’ve shared much over the years, and I recently found myself shocked that children were not part of our lives. There was a time not too long ago that I had begun to think having a family would not be possible.
We moved to Fort Worth in 2004, and after once again starting up my career and getting settled, I found an amazing OB and a fertility specialist who made our dream of parenting come true. I have PCOS and Hashimoto’s disease (hypo thyroid). I conceived my daughter via IVF and gave birth to Catherine Dorothea at the age of 37. My son, Connor James came shortly after also via IVF and was born on Valentine’s Day. I had two very different birth experiences, one natural and one emergency C-section. (I still have difficulty coming to terms with the second birth experience!)
I am now a full-time SAHM and am excited to head the Fort Worth chapter after trying other groups where I didn’t feel like I could relate or be related to! (Having an early 20-something girl with four kids smile politely with a blank face as I shared my IVF experiences … I realized I needed to keep looking to find mom peers!)
I hope to build relationships with women who can relate to my life experiences and share stories and laughter as we tackle this “brave new world” together!
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Amy Wall Lerman – Northern New Jersey Chapter
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.
In addition to her work in television, Amy is the author of several instruction books including, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Family Games” and the “Complete Idiot’s Guide to Critical Reading.” She has also published her poetry in Patchwork, an online literary journal. She is executive editor of Baby Bloomer, the monthly ezine for MotherhoodLater.com.
Genny Jones – Kent, United Kingdom Chapter
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, traveling 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.
Carolyne Blaschek McNabney – Toronto Chapter
I am a bit of a cheat, I was actually a young mother, having my first child at age 20, and for over 20 years, I thought that this was “it” for me. I was a single mom, and, although I had family supports, boyfriends, and a busy social life I was busy also working full time as well as 2-3 part time jobs just to make ends meet. I was stressed out, feeling guilty that I was not home enough, but feeling I had no options. I then decided to do something about my perceived rut, and I started with a life overhaul. I continued to work so I could pay my mortgage, but began attending College, and then University, ultimately settling into a career in Social Work that I considered my dream job. I was a good mother, but by no means a calm mother, and my daughter was and still is a source of love and support in my life. Once I finally felt that I had achieved my career goals, setting us up for some degree of financial stability I moved on to phase two- find a suitable mate, one that I would love and trust and move forward in life with. This actually took a lot longer than I initially thought it would. There are so many frogs…and not so easy to do when I was already in my mid/late 30′s. Eventually I looked online, and when all seemed bleak, I found the man of my dreams. We went on out first blind date, which lasted hours and from then on we became inseparable. We married two years later, and then *BAM* had our baby, for me, at age 41. I found motherhood this time around so much more challenging, yet rewarding in so many ways. I now have the life experience and patience to deal with parenting, but I can give myself permission to just enjoy the time spent with my little one. I look forward to the times ahead and that it enriches my life on a daily basis! The downside is the tiredness, coupled with being back to work, daycare illnesses, the stress of keeping the house quiet enough for the little one to sleep…but I wouldn’t change a thing. The love and joy of being a parent, seeing the look of excitement from my little one experiencing things for the first time, makes it all worthwhile!
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Michelene Irving – Greenville, SC Chapter
I’m 41 and have always been a “traditional” woman. I wanted to wait until I got married to have children. So I waited….and waited….and waited. The right man didn’t come along until I was 37. Amazingly enough, he was a high school sweetheart. We reconnected, I moved to Greenville and 2 years late,r we had our beautiful son, Rhys.
I graduated from culinary school in NYC specializing in Pastry Arts. In my spare time (what’s that?) I love to bake, and my son loves to eat. I work part-time and occasionally I get to sleep. I’m so happy I waited to be a “mom of advanced age”. He was totally worth the wait and is the most amazing little boy ever!
Heather Boser – Raleigh, NC Chapter
My husband and I met in 1996 and have been married since 1999. We have the kind of easy going marriage – best friends. You know, the kind that when we first met, we thought we knew each other in some other life. We were very happy, just the two of us … living in South Florida. Add a cute little dog in 2003. Careers were moving along. Life was status quo.
About six years into our marriage, we decided to start a family, and life took us on an unexpected and wild journey of ups and downs. Over the next five years, we experienced such heart-wrenching losses that we thought after each one, we’d not try again. It was just too much. And, as much hurt and pain that brought to our hearts, it also brought us closer than we even thought possible. There is something to be said about getting to “the belly of the whale” with someone you love and somehow finding your way through. My life lesson takeaways? Keep searching for the light, take one step at a time, trust the journey, life really is good.
We decided to move from South Florida to Raleigh, NC for a fresh start. Even though life tossed some more challenges when we got here, things eventually fell into place. We bought a house and were overjoyed when we found out we were expecting.
Because of our history, we were heavily monitored the entire pregnancy. At age 40, we had our beautiful, healthy baby. When our doctor announced, “It’s a girl!!!” I could hardly see her though all my tears of joy. She is a precious gift and has changed our outlook on life.. We can’t even put into words the love we feel for this little girl (as I’m sure you all understand).
Seeking a social group with moms my own age,. I was pleased to find Motherhood Later. I look forward to meeting other local 35+ moms, heading up the Raleigh, NC chapter.
Wendy McCallister – Antelope Valley, CA Chapter
I have been happily married to my husband Owen for going on 27 years. We started off right away with our daughter, Lauri, born 13 months after our marriage; then a couple of years later came Scott in 1989, and we thought our family was complete. My husband retired from the air force, and we traveled and had a great life. We came back to California, and with the kids grown up, I decided to go back to school and get a degree. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in English, I started working on my teaching credentials when I found out I was pregnant at the age of 41. Jamie was born when I was 42. He is a very cherished and loved little boy. We found we have more patience than we did 20 years ago.
Nicole Harper – Huntsville, AL Chapter
My two-month-old daughter Madeline is a 12th anniversary gift for my husband and I. I met my husband in the United Arab Emirates, where he was serving in a diplomatic position with the U.S. Army and I was an international art teacher. Madeline is our first child together, after a tragic premature birth and death of twin boys in March of 2011.
We moved to the Huntsville, Alabama area from the Washington, D.C. area in the Fall of 2011, after a string of significant life events that included my earning a doctoral degree, completing an international research Fulbright Fellowship, accepting an academic position in Cleveland, and enduring the loss of our sons. The past five years have involved moving to six different cities in three countries. This upheaval of activity has been a very productive time, as well as chaotic.
We plan to settle now and make Huntsville our long-term home. I am currently in the process of adjusting to a new lifestyle, identifying as a new mother, and finding ways to get myself and Madeline involved in all this great community has to offer. I hope to connect with other women with similar life experience prior to motherhood and/or comparable current interests, by heading the chapter of Motherhood Later…Than Sooner in the Huntsville, Alabama area.
Jackie Womack – Lansing/Mid-Michigan
I am a 40-year old wife, mother and career woman. I live in Lansing, Michigan where I was born and raised. I ‘ve worked in the information technology field for 11 years. I have a bachelor’s degree in Technical Management and am working towards career development in project management.
At the age of 37, my beautiful baby boy Xavier was born via scheduled c-section, healthy and strong. He is now 2 ½ years old and is the absolute joy of my life. I am the last of my immediate friends to have children. While some of them have kids who have moved out of the house and are in college, I am still in diaper-changing mode. I now know this is the way my life was meant to be. Although I find being a mother of “advanced maternal age” enjoyable, it comes with its set of challenges socially. It is hard to find other parents my age with children the age of my son to socialize with and share stories of motherhood. I discovered Motherhood Later…than Sooner and knew this is what I’ve been looking for – but, there were no chapters in my area. Then I thought “I could just start one. Nah, I don’t have time”. But I was really interested in meeting other mom’s, dad’s, families the same age as my family, so here I am! I hope you’ll join me!
Mary Fritz – Cincinnati, OhioI am a full time mom, wife, and artist and have lived in Cincinnati all of my life. At 52, I absolutely love being a mom.
My husband and I have known each other almost all our lives, and became a couple when we were quite young. We were very happy pursuing careers and making a home. When it finally was our time to become a family, we realized the path to our children was through adoption. This was the start of an incredible journey that we feel so Blessed to have been given.
I just turned 40 when our beautiful two week old daughter was placed in my arms, and 44 when our incredible son was born. They are now 12 and 8, and looking back, I cannot imagine my journey to motherhood happening any other way!
Parenting at any age obviously has its rewards and challenges. But becoming a mom later in life presents unique challenges socially. I have found it can be hard to find other moms and dads close to my age with similar life experience to relate to. I look forward to meeting other later moms, dads and their kids for fun and friendship. I’m excited to head the Cincinnati Chapter of Motherhood Later – I hope you will join us!
Lisa Spahr – St. Louis, MO Chapter
Lisa Spahr owns Spahr Consulting, a professional development and small business coaching company, and is the author of several books. She has a master’s degree in psychology (from Liverpool England) and was previously an Investigative Scientist, a real-life “Clarice Starling” of sorts, and renowned researcher before becoming a mum. Now, she resides in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband Rob and is “mum” to Bahia (“B”) “almost 3”, and Philomina “Mimi” almost 1.5, (and Syrah Jayne, the rescued Airedale mix).
Lisa was a proud member of Motherhood Later in Pittsburgh before making the move to Missouri. She missed the connection with other mums her age and decided to start a chapter in St. Louis.
