How do you do it?

I think you will find the answer in how active you are now. If you live a seditary lifestyle without much activity, then you might find it difficult to adjust to a baby and growing child, particulary the newborn to first year time frame. I had one of my daughter's when I was 34 and had no problems. When we became foster parents I was 43 and still found it easy to adjust to having a baby and young children around. Now that I'm 50, not so much, but that only changed because of having medical issues now. If you really want a baby, you do what you have to do and don't worry about whether you will be able to run as fast, play chase or do whatever like you did when you were younger. There are plenty of people who can't do some things because of physical limitations and they makk fine parents.

Completely agree with CaddoRose. You DO do what you have to do. Our youngest dd came to us when we were in our early 50's and we had three other little ones living at home too. (We also have grown children who were babies when they came to us.) The only thing I would caution anyone would be to make sure you can take the time to spend with a wee one. Hiring a nanny is great if you need to, but realize there will be many times *you'll* be needed to care for a baby and you may have to put your work in second place for awhile, KWIM? On a personal note, our only surprise in being an older parent is our youngest dd has some physical issues no one knew about at the time of her adoption. This has caused a lot more complexity for all of us (including her, of course) than anyone suspected and there are days (I must admit) when going to a specialist or various therapies has made *me* more tired than usual. If you truly feel in your heart that you want a newborn and feel comfortable enough to devote the time and energy, then I vote you Go forward! There are a lot of us older parents who'll be glad to help with advice and shoulders to lean on should you want/need it. :) Sincerely, Linny

You can do it...dh is 47 and I am 44 and we have a 10 mo and a 7 yo. Everything just creaks a little more now!!

Thanks for all of the replies. We know it would be challenging for the first couple of yrs. I do work at home so that is helpful. Alot to think about.

We were mid-40s and mid-50s when Little Man was placed. Hubby worried he wouldn't keep up but in fact we've both slimmed down and everyone says how fabulous and young we look now, after carrying 20lb Little Man up and down the stairs! The baby carrying diet!

I was a few months from 40 when Z joined our family (we adopted at birth). My hubby was 46. Now, 2 years later we want another one. I personally feel younger and healthier than I did BK (before kid). Trying to make him eat healthy has helped. I know that my health and weight is key to his future - that has helped. I have lost 40 lbs, am more active and feel so much better. People tell me that I'm not aging! BONUS! Also, I watched the 20somethings with kiddos and they complained about how they were tired and run down and I really wondered if it was worth it. Then he was born. Wow. I can honestly say that (so far) the saddest day of his childhood was when he started sleeping all night. As an older mom (and one who waited FOREVER to have a baby) I cherished the bonding time of night feedings. As an older mom, I appreciate each stage a little more than those young moms. I'm not rushing his youth. It's a big decision and not for everyone. I have friends who think I'm nuts (of course, their kids are graduating from HS, going to college or getting married. I'm potty training! :) And loving it!

This sounds like my husband & I. Married later, and no children, same age etc It has been a bit hard to adjust to such a huge life change, but it is also wonderful. DD is the love of our lives and I am now so glad we waited. Good luck to you!

I am a few months shy of 40. My husband and I both work full time. We recently adopted twins. Wow!! It is a lot of work. I have a few more aches with all the crawling around on the floor and picking up two babies at the same time. There is always so much to do and not enough time. I wouldn't change a thing! All the aches and sleepless nights are worth it when they smile at you (especially at 2:30a.m.) I also feel I appreciate everything so much more than I would have in my 20s.

As far as keeping up, Caddo's right. I was mostly sedentary, but now, I'm doing Zumba and on an elliptical daily. Heck! I was on roller skate a week ago :p She's an active kid; she shouldn't be slowed down by my age

I was 44 1/2 when I brought home my son at 9 months. I'm also single, work 40+ hours a week, have three cats and a dog. I could never afford a nanny or housekeeper and I've done it pretty much on my own. I like being busy and active and I love be a mom and doing "mom" things. The one person I've had to help me with daycare is my mom who is almost 80. She watches my son all summer for nine hours a day, five days a week. Plus "snow days" and sick days. She is very active with him and enjoys it. She says it's nice to go to bed tired from being with an active young boy. And he is quite a handful much of the time. Yet she keeps up just fine. It's really not age as much as individual people. I know of one seven year old boy raised since birth by his widowed grandmother who was 60 when he was born. She is extremely active and involved as a parent and is just doing great with him. She even helps coach his basketball team. She's a wonderful parent. I also know a six year old girl being raised by her grandparents who are in their early sixties. They are 62 going on 82. They sleep much of the day while she roams around unsupervised, they refuse to let her play sports or take dance or swimming lessons because it's too much time out of their day and basically they don't want to be bothered and do the minimum. They farm her out to others as much as possible. Only you know your lifestyle, health and degree to which you enjoy being active and busy. Age is not the most important factor in any of this.

Wow. Thanks for all of the replies. We are thinking it over. I need my sleep due to a medical condition so we would need a baby night nurse. Is it best to use one from an agency? Has anyone used one for the nighttime? My thought is that we would use a baby nurse during the work week for 3 or 4 months. Thanks Lyn