«The joy outweighs all the stressful aspects»
We tell
Simone: «I didn't realise until now that I'm an older mother. I try to experience as much as possible with my children. Now it's more them who say: «We've seen your excursions slowly.» We dance to the same music in the living room, even if I don't like every song as much as they do. Being there for my children enriches my life; I feel like I'm doing something deeply meaningful. As a late mum, I appreciate the extra life experience. I am more relaxed and patient today than I used to be. But that also has to do with the fact that I used to be self-employed and now have a permanent job. When the children were small, I opened a naturopathic practice in my own home and was able to adapt the consultation times to their needs. I later caught up on my dissertation and am now completing my specialist training. This multiple workload has made me more stressed and less resilient than before. I was very lucky that I was able to juggle my four children and my job. Women of the same age in the hospital are now in management positions, whereas I, as a late doctor in training, am still at the lower end of the hierarchy. If I hadn't become a mum early, but only had my late children, that wouldn't be the case.»
«As a late mum, I appreciate the extra life experience. I'm more relaxed and patient today than I used to be.»
André: «I saw our patchwork family and my late parenthood as a challenge and adjusted to it. Now that Melvin and Juna are with me every fortnight from Friday to Sunday, I'm often very tired in the evening. Especially if I haven't had much time to myself after lessons or if I haven't had breaks where I could be out in the fresh air and Juna wakes me up at 7am. But the joy they both bring me outweighs all the stressful aspects. My professional experience as a teacher and getting through my divorce have made me more relaxed as a father. I am more self-confident and at peace with myself because I am no longer driven by the feeling of not having lived. As I seem vital and have retained a youthful character thanks to the children, many people can't imagine that I will retire this year. Only when Melvin tries to provoke me does he sometimes say: «You're like a grandfather.» Six years ago, I still enjoyed playing tag with my children. Now, due to meniscus damage in my knee, I'm unfortunately no longer mobile enough to go climbing with them. So I prefer to take them swimming in the lakeside pool or play ball games.»
Read more from the dossier late parenthood:
- We have children later
Mature parents are more relaxed, more self-confident - and too old to go on adventures with their children. There are many prejudices like these about late parents. The fact is: becoming a parent is being delayed further and further. What does this mean for parenting and family life? - «My mum has a hard time with some teenage expressions»
Juna Meyer, 11, and her brother Melvin live with their mum Simone, 48, and spend every other weekend with their father André, who is retiring this year. - «Some of our friends and acquaintances are already grandparents»
Susanne Wüthrich, 44, met her husband Daniel, 51, late in life. She now has three children with him, Noel, 7, Anna, 4, and Emilie, 2.