Reply #22: Well, of course, it is the woman's right but hopefully she will think

[Democrat 4 Ever]

through her decision very carefully. Not long ago there was a report of a woman who had grown children who decided she wanted another one with her new husband. So she went through the whole deal, doctors, tests, hormones, etc., with tacit agreement evidently from her new husband. And finally, finally (after several attempts), got pregnant with triplets at the age of 55 or 56. Born health, active and raring to rush headlong into life. Happy, happy, joy, joy! Fade to black...not so fast.

Well, it turns out that new hubby wasn't as into the new babies gig in his late 50s, early 60s as he first thought so he took a walk. Caring for three youngsters at his age was a whole lot harder work than he thought. No duh, partner. He wanted golf and traveling, not diapers and up all night.

So now the lady has had to move back to her hometown to get help raising the children from her children, can't work because of the cost of child care (ex-hubby does pay child support)and is finding her "golden years" are now taken up with AARP mailings and notes home from preschool. Somehow I get the feeling the children are getting the short end of the stick. I imagine she is a good and loving mother but to care for one child, much less three, at age 60 is quite a challenge.

That said, my mother had my youngest sister at 42 (not exactly planned) - 12 days after my first child was born. While growing up my sister was more like another child than a sister to me. She stayed with my family a lot when her father (my step) was sick. My stepfather died when my sister was six so she didn't have a father for most of her life. All that said, she is the best person I know - and a best friend to me. Kind, sweet, softhearted, smart, loving, funny and the best mother ever to two precious little girls. She has bought nothing but joy to the entire family. My sister also gave my Mom a reason to keep putting one foot in front of the other after the stepfather died. There was a definite difference in the way Mom raised her than she did my brothers and me. Mom was funnier when I was a kid, more active, and also more strict. With the younger sister we got a more patient, calm and "knew the sky wouldn't fall if the kid ate dirt one time" kind of a Mom.