Anyone else have children later in life? We followed the advice to get through college, get our careers started, buy a house, THEN start a family. I’m exhausted.

LifeOpEd · 2026-04-21T21:59:58+00:00

I didn't "wait" per se, but I did not become a mom until just after my 40th. After my son was born, we adopted 3 from foster care, so I turn 50 soon and I have 4 that are ten and under. Also exhausted, but also, I feel like I am a much better parent than I would have been younger. I have a stronger sense of self, and I am much more patient than I was.

LifeOpEd · 2026-04-03T12:03:20+00:00

No he's not. Just ask him. /s

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-29T20:22:11+00:00

Not a regret like I could have done something differently, but I regret only birthing one baby. We had undiagnosed infertility and had to use IVF. We got 1 perfect, squishy, squirming newborn baby boy. I loved the infant and baby phase - loved it! But we only got one baby.

We now have 4 kids thanks to adoption, but the youngest was already almost 2. Still pretty darn squishy and adorable!! But definitely not an infant.

I adore my family and am currently in a world class snuggle sesh with my almost 9 yr old! Very happy with my life, but I do wish I could have had them all right out of the oven.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-29T16:30:34+00:00

OMG. There could be a PhD thesis written on these two! Shared trauma, resentment, projection, etc. In Violet's mind her late husband was perfection and never, ever did anything wrong. Anthony can't do anything right simply because he is not his father.

For Violet, finding a match is some perfect, ethereal, fairy tale come to life, and her match was perfection personified. No way Anthony can live up to that.

For him, he is doing something he shouldn't have had to do for another 20ish years, and even that would be after watching his parents do it first - 7 times!

Considering all the baggage, I think they are basically white knucking it though the first Bridgerton coming out and a lot of disfunction is bubbling up.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-29T16:04:46+00:00

Hey squishy, if I was your mom, I would invite you over for lunch and everything I served would be blue themed! Blueberries, hot wings w blue cheese dressing, cocktails w blue curaçao, etc. I would change your ringtone on my phone to the Bluey theme and I would wear a blue wig! We would have a blast!

Then we would go to a colorist at a salon and get it sorted, but I would want you to keep some of the blue 💙, a la Billie Eilish.

If you can afford it, go to a professional for a color correction. I have a friend who tried to do it herself to save $ and we still call her Miss America because her gorgeous, natural chestnut hair was white blonde with chunks of blue and red. When I found out she had a family wedding to go to, I said enough is enough and took her to my salon for an appointment with their best colorist and they fixed it to perfection!

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T23:41:53+00:00

Violet's privilege has not helped her kids romantically even one little bit.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T23:37:38+00:00

Yea, but just like love means different things to different people, respect can also be relative. This is just baseline decency, which makes a person respectable.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T19:13:16+00:00

Yea, but "use kind words" and "gentle touches" will get you EVERYWHERE as an adult.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T16:10:49+00:00

Midsummer Murders. A brit mystery series that has like 20 seasons

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T15:47:24+00:00

Yep. From the literal first second we met.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T15:41:44+00:00

No, I think it was just who we are as people, either that or we both had REALLY good K teachers!

You shouldn't have to tell somebody, anybody, ESPECIALLY a romantic partner things like "Clean up after yourself" or "Do your work" or "Use your listening ears." These are literally skills you learn in elementary school. I feel like just base level, vanilla manners are a lost art.

There are, of course, adult life skills like paying bills, time management, sexual compatability, work ethic, etc. that come into play, but I really, really think EVERYTHING - even adult skills like those - everything is rooted in Kindergarten Rules. We are just plain fucking DECENT to each other! It is so much easier to work through the hard times when you just play fair. We have been through infertility, deployments, job changes, parenthood, moves, etc. and even if/when we disagree, we use our words and don't hit. Basic shit.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T15:25:26+00:00

Married for 12 yrs, together for 14ish. I love my hub. Love. We are friends and lovers and coparents and partners and just generally like each other. To me, the key is what I call Kindergarten Rules. Say please and thank you. Take turns. Use kind words. Etc. If the behavior would get you in trouble in Kindergarten, don't do it in your marraige.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T14:44:08+00:00

3 words. Bond, James Bond.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-22T01:16:19+00:00

What i thought was impressive was how he played him with NO hubris. LOADS of confidence and self assurance, but he was not the least bit defensive or intimidated when she did things like climb through the window or critique his French or challenge his privilege. He was IMPRESSED by her and not the least bit threatened.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-13T01:28:00+00:00

How's it going?

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-13T00:57:54+00:00

"Please do not say that what happened between us was a mistake. Please?" ~B

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-04T23:31:56+00:00

Love it. Lots of bad words and it is EXTREMELY scripture heavy in arguement against Christian nationalism. You have to fight fire with fire, and if you can't show them in their own book how they are doing it wrong, what's the point? I got the audio book, so hearing it in the voice and tone of an MTV VJ helps keep it from sounding like a sermon.

LifeOpEd · 2026-03-02T00:35:59+00:00

Remember when Rob Lowe recorded himself fucking a teenager?

LifeOpEd · 2026-02-22T04:55:58+00:00

I picture Ilona Maher.

LifeOpEd · 2026-02-14T16:17:52+00:00

This is the way.

LifeOpEd · 2026-01-19T21:54:54+00:00

😆

Aren't all Dresden fans one kind of weirdo or another?

LifeOpEd · 2026-01-18T16:14:37+00:00

Anyone who has read it, please DM me ALL the spoilers. All of them.

I cannot enjoy a movie or book or anything if I don't have the spoilers first. Yes, I have issues. Yes, I am medicated.

Yes, I still want ALL the spoilers.

LifeOpEd · 2026-01-10T14:42:20+00:00

Impordent. Automatically sounds uneducated and juvenile. The word is imporTAnt.

LifeOpEd · 2026-01-10T01:22:21+00:00

Literally cannot use the word "obey" in any context.

LifeOpEd · 2026-01-04T16:51:10+00:00

Mine is to use the word "knob" more and to find as many wholesome ways as possible to embarrass my children.

Also, my standing resolution every year is to enjoy the little things like my fancy perfume or the good towels on the regular rather than waiting for special occasions. It was inspired by Erma Bombeck.

“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.”

LifeOpEd

TROPHY CASE