Motherhood Later in Life: Celebrating Our Joy!

This year, we celebrated the saddest Easter we have celebrated in the kiddos' twelve years of life because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no excitement because we were missing out on our Easter traditions. I wanted to make a new tradition for this year but I realized that I had to stop being so hard on myself.

Despite this being our saddest Easter, it is also the one in which I understood how blessed I am because I have everything. I have a wonderful family.

One of the greatest disadvantages of being an older mother is that by the time we decide to be mothers, we have lost our grandmothers and we're close to losing our mothers.

I wish both my mother and mother-in-law were still around so that I could commiserate with them.

I've come to the realization that if my daughters wait to have their children, there's a good chance that their children would never meet me.

My real wish for my daughters is that they make choices that they do not regret.

My girls have hit the "I like that boy stage."

When relationship issues arise, they refer to "The Girl Code."

But, not being black and white, it's difficult to know exactly how to apply it.

I've had my own issues with the girl code when I was younger so it bothers me that my girls ask my opinion on it.

I now have a clear understanding of which boundaries should not be crossed and understand that some boundaries are flexible.

In the end, the girl code is nothing more than a code for life.

I really love my children but because we are stuck in our small condo, I have to admit they are driving me completely bonkers!

It's horrible for an introvert to be stuck with five extroverts!

There is no space I can have for myself where I can go to hide, to have some time to myself to recharge.

I need a break but I do feel guilty every time I say that.

Still, I have always felt blessed that I have these wonderful children and husband that helped me create this family.

1. Isolation homeschooling is not the same thing as homeschooling.
2. As a homeschooler, my kids and I are not used to being stuck at home.
3. Whether you're homeschooling or you are in a traditional educational setting, we are all extremely frustrated by this isolation education.
4. For now, all we can do is come up with strategies to help us stay sane, get through this, make it to the other side and find out what the new normal will be.

1. Many of my acquaintances and friends are not concerned about COVID-19, and while I'm no expert, I know enough to frighten the hell out of myself.
2. I worry a lot about the impact it can have on my kids, my health and my family.
3. I had to accept that my children would be fine if my husband and I were gone.
4. I'm going to do my best and learn to live in this frightening situation the best way that I can, enjoy the moment, and find a way to be happy.

1. We are living in very unpredictable, unexpected times. Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of answers. But life has to go on.
2. Some people think that this coronavirus crisis doesn't have a big impact on homeschoolers like my children.
3. Although not my favorite, I had to accept that they were going to spend more time on social media since it helps them maintain a sense of normalcy and hope.
4. I think the biggest challenge is helping them maintain a sense of optimism and hope in this dark situation.

1. From the moment I knew I was pregnant, I was committed to giving my baby the best of me.
2. I knew that breastfeeding was an important thing to do for a child.
3. I didn't expect that a breast milk pump would become my closest friend for two long years.
4. I was in pain from constantly pumping and found the whole process inconvenient but I harnessed my love for my babies to do what was best for them.

1. Becoming the mother of preemies can be pretty overwhelming.
2. Doctors don't tell you everything and you can't always rely on them. You need to rely on yourself because you will need to be your child's best advocate.
3. There is an inherent comfort in having your mother with you that exceeds the comfort that medication can give you. It doesn't matter that you aren't perfect.
4. Sometimes, our job as a mom is just to be there to love and support our child.

1. Ever since I was a kid, I've had the proverbial bitch face.
2. It takes a special kind of person to approach me and sometimes, this worked to my advantage since I'm an introvert.
3. Because my three girls are very social kids, I'm constantly in the position of meeting new people.
4. I've been tempted to undergo a surgical procedure to improve my resting bitch face but I realized that I needed to teach my children that the true source of their beauty comes from feeling comfortable in their own skin.