About Sweetmama Editor
Nadine Silverthorne’s love of journaling began in Grade One with the entry, “I am the greatest dancer!” Two babies (and countless diaper changes) later, she has found her home away from home as editor of SweetMama. Don’t miss her humorous bi-weekly accounts of the joys and pains of working while raising them fabulous.
I turned 35 on Tuesday. Ack, I thought, I am now officially closer to 40 than I am to... you know... being 21 again.
Then I thought back to my last big milestone birthday. At 30 I was freshly in my second trimester, expecting my first child. All I could think about was not being able to get drop-down drunk (damn baby!). But taking stock at 35, I find myself contentedly ticking important goals off the life list. 35 definitely beats 25 as far as achievements go. (As far as stretch marks and spontaneity go, 25 gets the win.)
By far the biggest joys of being 35 are my two incredible kids. I know it sounds like a cliché (and it definitely would to my 25-year-old self ), but the kids are really the shining stars of my life right now. I complain an awful lot (and some parts of motherhood are truly horrible), but even knowing what I know now, I would still tell the 25-year-old me that she should have kids with the man she loves. (The man she loved at the age of 25 incidentally.)
I asked my mama friends on Twitter what were the best things about turning 35. Mom of two and author of the fun blog A Day in the Life, Karen Meg shared my feelings about having kids: "The best thing about turning 35 was that I was finally a mom that year, after several years of trying." Then added, "Oh, and zits not happening so frequently, and my parents finally realizing that I was an adult... well, sorta!"
Sarah Juliusson of Mama Renew eased my fears about turning 40. "The best? Only 5 away from 40. I turn 40 on Sat & feel clear, strong, growing, and wilder by the day." Then she shared this post that beautifully encapsulated that feeling of self-contentment and drive to be the best you that is hard to come by in your twenties.
I'm looking forward to 40. Maybe not the added greys and wrinkles that will come with it, but the next five years of watching my children grow, laughing with my husband, the great conversations with dear girlfriends (or my Mom), and taking my career to the next level make turning 40 look pretty good.
What about you? What are some of your favourite things about this point in your life? Share them with me by logging in and leaving me a comment below.
*Image Credit: Kathryn McCallum
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