Hi! I’m Kate. Welcome to Momming at 40! This blog has been 10 years in the making. A little background for you:
Prior to ‘momming,’ I was a simple midwestern gal. I studied English and Communications during my 8 glorious years at the University of Kansas. 8 years, you say? Yes. Basketball tickets were $100 per season, and basketball WAS invented at KU.
During the time that I enjoyed the basketball games, I also attended classes in everything from Mathematical Business Statistics to Interior Design. Mom always said I had an eye for design. Alas, I graduated a writer and speaker.
I spent some time traveling abroad, backpacking through 9 countries solo on a mission to find myself. I came back to the states at 26 years old and began a career in sales. My family has been in the wine business for quite some time, so California became my new home. I spent roughly 10 years in the corporate wine business game before moving on to founding my own wine brokerage. In addition to selling wine, I sat as a judge on several wine competition panels throughout Southern California. I had my first child, a spunky gal, in 2009.
I returned to Kansas briefly in my mid thirties, to help an ill family member, and began a position as a Paraprofessional at a small Kansas High School in the Special Education Department. (Oh, that was AFTER my stint as a prison security guard at a Max Security Male Penitentiary…in the segregation unit. I purposefully dismiss that memory).
My memories with my kids at the high school, however, will forever fill my heart with joy. During my time back home, I also fell in to a position in pharmacy and quickly worked my way into a Nationally Certified Technician position. At least the math classes in college were put to good use. Upon my return to California, I stayed in pharmacy, but began more focused work in the HIV field and now work part-time for the world’s largest HIV/AIDS non-profit organization.
Out of all of my jobs and experiences, ‘momming’ has been by far the most rewarding, interesting, painful, and awesome of them. I had my first child in 2009 and my second in 2019.
Geez, things sure have changed. I, probably like you, have spent hours and hours poring over articles on the internet. I searched for some help; advice; someone (anyone) who may be having the same question, concern, or experience as me. I found so many differing opinions and methods for any and all things baby. Mostly what I found was geared towards the younger first time mom.
That was great for me, when I was 29. But what about the first time mom who isn’t in her twenties, or thirties anymore? Our bodies and lives are often vastly different.
I’ve learned a lot having a new baby in my 30s and one in my 40s. I hope that my experiences in my day to day ‘momming’ with a 10 year old and an 8 month old will offer you some information that “I wish I had back then.” I hope to commiserate with you, learn, and grow as a person and as a parent. Sending harmony and balance. ✌️ ❤️
~k
The Kids
B and Stuart William are what MAKE me a mom.
B taught me HOW to be a mom. Stu is teaching me how to refine those skills, although they will never be perfect. (No one is the PERFECT parent!) B is 10; Stu is 8 months.
Glenn
Glenn, otherwise known to B as “Mr Ozzy,” is the love of my life; truly the BETTER half. Glenn is incredibly smart, funny, patient, generous, and the best father I’ve ever witnessed. I am so blessed and lucky to have him as my life long partner. He has 2 fantastic (grown) kids from a previous marriage, but this is his first time with a newborn. As an older parent, this proves to bring many, many laughs. His Australian dry sense of humor only adds to the fun. Be on the look out for funny posts from this guy!