I am 53 with two girls in elementary school, i have no time to respond to this thread because I am busy as hell and tired. But, that said I am loving it! We are financially secure (not rich but comfortable) and can give the kids what they need and take care of the patents as well. I don’t need anything more right now but hopefully when they go to college I will have fun again!

Anonymous wrote:I’m 53 with 11 and 13 yo so not quite where many of my age peers are but things are easier in some ways (hang in there toddler mom!) and harder in others (elder care, true sandwich times). But I’ve started to think about life/retirement and realizing there’s more to existence than climbing the ladder and grinding through another day. Small pleasures become larger and big dreams (travel etc) move from
Back to front burner. I’m grateful for my health (knowing how fragile life is) and grateful for the relatively boring but stable life we have. If 40s is about striving and juggling, maybe 50s is acceptance and seizing /appreciating the things in your grasp.

Well said! My 50’s have been freeing in this way. It is a big improvement.

49 years old here, hope it's ok to post. My kids are late teenagers now and doing respectably well. I'm able to focus on my health and I'm in the best shape of my life. Took up hobbies like mycology and crochet, I'm a volunteer EMT, and I hope to start fostering teens as soon as #2 launches. I bought a small townhouse in a DC exurb, I can walk to the gym and the grocery store, and I'm relishing this time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We still several years to go before empty nest but I love these stories!

I love these stories, but they assume affluence, so I take them with a grain of salt.

I think less affluence but rather: 1) decent health; and 2) not having parents who will replace children in your burden level.
There’s a lot of interesting things you can do without a lot of money, if you have time and health to enjoy them. So the lesson for your 40s is probably to try to keep yourself in moderately decent shape and not burn bridges with your spouse and friends. The parents are the wild card you probably can’t control.

I love being in my mid-50s. I've always been an old soul, so I finally feel like I'm comfortable with myself. I've embraced a lot of geeky hobbies and interests that I was too embarrassed to admit I liked in my 20s and didn't have time for in my 30s-40s.
In my 40s, my life was such a rush--up before dawn to commute 45 minutes to work; lunch hour spent setting up dr appts and running errands; hurrying home to pick up kid from after-care, then sports, homework, nutritious dinner, laundry bedtime. Now that the youngest is in college and I'm working from home (plus I'm at a stage in my career when I am fully competent in my job but not interested in moving up the ladder), I've gained about 5 hours of free time every day. I've reconnected with old friends, finished backburner projects, and even got the dog that I've always wanted but never felt I had time to care for.
This might be the best time of my life.

Raising kids is one thing. Dealing with elderly parents is another. Worst nightmare of my adult life. Maybe not the case for everyone but most of my friends had challenges in this department. Got that out of the way for all parents by late 40s and in my mid-50s and have one kid launched to college and still have a high schooler at home who I enjoy and am thrilled to still have around. So hoping for great 50s all the way through.

Love these answers. Unfortunately my mother moved in right before our youngest went to college so I have no idea what this might be like. I was looking forward to it in a bittersweet way.

49 with one in college and a high school senior. It is already easier with just one at home. Husband I can't wait for the empty nest!

How is 50s any different 40s? I went to work every day and dealing with kids.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 52, and will be 53 in a few weeks. No inspiring story from me. This getting older stuff is awful. 0/10 do not recommend.

Maybe skip the thread instead of responding inappropriately, pp?

At 50 I got a big promotion. Of course there is more stress and more work but the kids are so much more self sufficient that I knew I could do this.

Anonymous wrote:Life begins at 50...and so do colonoscopies!

colonoscopy guidance revised down to 45! shingles vaccine still 50 tho.

I'm 58, two years into having an empty next, and am loving the freedom to have my life mostly revolve around my own interests and whims rather than everyone else's. (I do have obligations, but I get to structure my time around them as I wish.) I miss my kids and love when they visit--but I also love when they return to their adult lives. I've gone back to school, am working on a book, taking music lessons--all the things I put off for so long.

I met my second husband in my late 40s so the 50s have been full of love and a feeling of a fresh start! The divorce was painful but new love is healing in many ways.

We are looking forward to the empty nest, relocating, no big financial worries, and living the life WE chose to live. Heading into the 60s is full of promise! That said, we know a health concern could be lurking around the corner...but since we are in good health now we don't dwell on what might be. Life is so good, OP! The stuff that mattered for all of those decades just doesn't concern me anymore. There's so much less pressure and demands of life.

I’m 53 with 11 and 13 yo so not quite where many of my age peers are but things are easier in some ways (hang in there toddler mom!) and harder in others (elder care, true sandwich times). But I’ve started to think about life/retirement and realizing there’s more to existence than climbing the ladder and grinding through another day. Small pleasures become larger and big dreams (travel etc) move from
Back to front burner. I’m grateful for my health (knowing how fragile life is) and grateful for the relatively boring but stable life we have. If 40s is about striving and juggling, maybe 50s is acceptance and seizing /appreciating the things in your grasp.