StorkNet is very pleased to bring you Cheryl's parenting journal. Cheryl (44) and her husband Brian have been married for 21 years. After three miscarriages and six years of unexplained fertility, the Butlers adopted a daughter on the day she was born. Soon after, the floodgates opened and Cheryl conceived her first son. The rest, as they say, is history as Cheryl and Brian are now the proud parents of 8 children between the ages of 3 and 16. Join Cheryl as she shares the ups and downs and all arounds of parenting a large family. Entry 40 ~ November 1, 2009 ~ I'm Just not the Same Mom I Used to Be! Miss Annie is now 4 years old! Well, I've finally gone and done it-I've recently come out of the closet and come to terms with the fact that I, Cheryl Butler, am a middle-aged mother! No matter how many vats of Oil of Olay I slap under my eyes or how much firming cream I slather on my neck each night before I go to bed, there's no denying it-I'm just not a 20-something (ok-30-something) young, hot mama any longer. My forties are here and they won't be here forever . . . so time to stop thinking I can still look youthful with two earrings in each ear, ribbed-knit tank tops (sleeveless is not always pretty my friends!) and embrace the fact that it's A-Ok to own a few undergarments that boost, lift and redistribute some of my "parts" that need a little help. I'm completely OK with this now, but back in September, I had a rude awakening when I took Annie to nursery school each day and saw the dewy faced "young mothers" flit out of their SUVs wearing jeans that buttoned with perky breasts and fresh white T-Shirts tucked inside while I staggered out of my half-a SUV with elasticized leggings and an oversized Sweatshirt covering my bumps, dimples and post-partum pounds from many moons ago. Somehow, this just didn't seem fair, but in keeping with the "older moms have more wisdom as well as more rolls" theory, I kept on trucking and was secretly thankful that although I had the most wrinkles, I had "been there, done that" enough times already that I wouldn't lose any sleep just because my child innocently picked her nose in public or chose to enjoy me reading her a Curious George book rather than listen to books on tape while driving to nursery school. I don't know; something is just a little bit off between the new generation of moms and my 40-something crowd. Maybe I'm secretly jealous that they are so wide-eyed and bushy tailed over each and every black and purple finger painting that comes home from school each week when my first reaction is "how can I get rid of that without her catching me" or maybe it's the conversation out in the parking lot after pick up, "Are you going to the Mommy and Me Triathlon Class today?" "Who me? No, Annie's coming with me to sign up for my AARP card-I qualify in a few more years and want to make sure they have all the information they need in advance!" Sigh! But don't you worry-you're only as young as you feel-and I've certainly got that going for me. I may not have the most taut (that's a mature woman's word!) elasticity in my neck, breasts or thighs but I do have something far more valuable-experience! That's right! I don't fret over how many play dates my kids will have before she reaches five years old, or if she can translate more than one foreign language or even discern between the taste of organic apples or store bought. I know that a mother's lips (young or old) can always make her boo boo feel better, that a mother's ears (young or old) will always be the most important in listening about her hard day at school, a mother's hands (dry or not) are always the best to hold on to when she is frightened or excited and a mother's heart (whether or not it's lying beneath a wonder bra or a tank top) is always bursting with love and pride for whatever accomplishment her child has accomplished that day! I'm sure not the "younger" mother anymore, but time marches on, and as long as I'm here to see all mine grow up, I'm ok not being the same mother I was 16 years ago.    ~ Cheryl StorkNet's Parenting Channel Cheryl's Journal Entries Introduction Meet Cheryl Entry 1 Back To School Blues . . . and Reds, Greens and Yellows!! Entry 2 They're All in School . . . So Where are my Bon Bons? Entry 3 The Beach, Bon Bons and an Unexpected Guest Entry 4 Never Take Your Appliances for Granted Entry 5 It Comes in Threes! Entry 6 It's Time to Say Good-Bye Entry 7 The Third One's a Doozey! Entry 8 Mrs. Fix-It Saves the Day Entry 9 Another Halloween Under Our Belts! Entry 10 When Mom Gets Sick, Will The House Come to a Screeching Halt? Entry 11 Finally Feeling Better Entry 12 Happy Thanksgiving! Entry 13 Let the Holiday Season Begin! Entry 14 Our First Snow of the Season Entry 15 Harbor Seals & Christmas Decorations Entry 16 Merry Christmas to All! Entry 17 Another Christmas Under Our Belts! Entry 18 Happiness is . . . A Brand New Year! Entry 19 Spending Time with the Grandparents Entry 20 Christmas Decorations & the Inauguration! Entry 21 Falling Off the Exercise Wagon Entry 22 Today's the Day Entry 23 Today's the Day Entry 24 February Vacation--Over in a Quick Blink! Entry 25 Time for New Undies Entry 26 We Finally Got Sick This Winter! Entry 27 Spring has Sprung, and so has Strep Throat! Entry 28 Strep Throat Go Away & Never Come Back Another Day!! Entry 29 A "New Attitude" for Easter Entry 30 Six First Communions Down-Two To Go! Entry 31 Much to Remember on Memorial Day! Entry 32 Chaperoning 8th Graders to NYC--A Refreshing Blast! Entry 33 School's Out for Summer! Entry 34 My New Role as Spiderwoman Entry 35 The Summer of no Hot Water!! Entry 36 Life's Great Little Surprises! Entry 37 Back to School Entry 38 Great Time in Denver Entry 39 When the Stomach Bug Brings You Down email Cheryl return to journals index StorkNet Home | return to top family planning | pregnancy | parenting | family life | for fun | shopping | tools | community Copyright © 2008-09 Cheryl Butler. All rights reserved. Site Design by StorkNet Please read our disclaimer and privacy policy. Your feedback is always welcome.