Things Every Mom In Their 40s Knows (Or Should Know)

Moms in their 40s aren't old. They are seasoned vets of motherhood. They know things that younger moms haven't quite learned yet. Even with all the changes in the world today, there will still be certain aspects of motherhood that will always remain. The list below of things every mom in their 40s knows; here is a realistic list of a few of those aspects.

12 When They Say You Will Miss This; They Are Right

So many mothers from all walks of life have been told, "Enjoy them being little, you will miss it one day." Or something along those lines. The truth is, they are right. According to Dr. James Dobson, watching children grow and letting go of all the things they can now do for themselves, remains to be one of the most difficult parts of parenthood.

11 When Their Child Is Sick, They Don't Need Google

Moms in their 40s have seen quite a few sicknesses come in and out of their homes. Typically, they can tell just by looking at their child and asking a question or two about what is wrong and how to help make it better.

10 They Have No Time Or Tolerance For Mom Shaming

Brené Brown (author and researcher at the University of Houston) defines shame as, "an intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and something we've done or failed to do makes us unworthy."

Mom shaming is common among mothers themselves. Mom groups on Facebook are a direct example of that. What happens is people criticize a mother for making parenting choices that differ from the choices they have made or would make themselves. Moms in their 40s have been through too much already to parent by other people's standards.

9 All The Mistakes They Made Themselves Feel Bad For Were Not Worth It

Moms have a lot going on. When it comes to remembering everything, sometimes it just doesn't happen. A study done by the University of British Columbia shows that motherhood has a permanent impact on your cognitive function. So basically, "mom brain" is a real thing. Moms in their 40s may not know that fact directly, but they know that their kids are doing just fine despite being late to school a few times or not getting a permission slip in on time.

8 Using Eye Cream Before You Need It Is Great Advice

There is nothing wrong with getting older, however; a study found in The National Library of Medicine states that, while some women embrace aging and do it well, other women described experiencing a feeling of shame and being very insecure by not being unwrinkled and youthful.

7 Being Healthy Doesn't Always Mean Being Thin

Stacey Rosenfeld, Ph. D, says by the time women get to their 40s, they've [hopefully] given up the notion that happiness exists within a certain shape or size. Instead, they find fulfillment through their connections and their work, their passions, and their families. While reasonable weight loss may be a goal for some moms in their 40s, being healthy and enjoying life are the most important.

6 Sleeping Is Best Thing Ever

Not only is sleep beneficial, and healthy, after all the sleep moms lose in the early years, being able to finally get some sleep feels so good. However, sleep changes after 40. According to sleep doctor Michael Breus hormones have a lot to do with it. You go to bed exhausted but still have trouble falling asleep. You wake at least once or twice a night—sometimes to go to the bathroom, sometimes just because. Often, you don't sleep all the way to dawn, waking way ahead of your alarm, wishing you could grab that extra 45 minutes or hour of rest. Welcome to sleep in middle age.

5 They Know What They Like And They're Not Afraid To Ask For It

When it comes to moms in their 40s, they still may not have a ton of time between the sheets, but when they do, it's better than ever. Katerina Cozias is a lifestyle coach and the founder of FabAfter40. She says, with maturity comes more self-confidence and that means more sex confidence. Moms also realize by this point that sex is a great stress and anxiety reliever. Generation X has never really been silent regarding talking about sex; that's no different for moms.

4 Going Out Is Overrated

Most moms in their 40s are good with being in bed by 9 pm. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a night out occasionally, but alone time is a good time. Mothers over 40 don't mind being alone. It often allows them time to get back to things they liked to do prior to having kids. They absorb more of their surroundings and get to know themselves again. It can be empowering.

3 Caring About Every Little Thing Is Exhausting

Moms in their 40s tend to be more seasoned. Most don't feel the need to always be perfect or to judge other moms for how they choose to raise their kids. These moms know that there are more important things in life than arguing over dinner options and why their teen is wearing a hoodie in the hot summer sun.

2 What Real Friendships Are

Moms sometimes lose friendships after having children. Their lives tend to be focused on their kids and priorities change. Not all friendships can last through this. It may be hard to go through at the time, but when moms get into their 40s, they no longer focus on quantity, but the quality of friendships. Those that stuck by her while she was raising her children, the ones who would drop everything at a moment's notice to comfort her. Those are the kind of true friendships strived for by moms in their 40s.

1 Gossip And Rumors Are Just That

Moms in their 40s tend not to care as much about what others think about them. They know who they are, and they know the people they surround themselves with. Hearing what someone may or may not have said about them or someone they know doesn't light the same match it used to.

Sources: Katerina Cozias, Michael Breus, Stacey Rosenfeld, Ph. D, National Library of Medicine, Brené Brown, University of British Columbia, Dr. James Dobson