Athletes tend to have PRs after giving birth. I run faster and longer than before kids (now teens) and lift heavier weights than before. In that sense the kids have kept me younger. On the flip side, I sleep less and probably worry more. I have less $ and time for myself. Those realities are aging.

All women age best when they eat nutritious meals, drink plenty of water, have healthy relationships with loved ones, exercise regularly, meditate, refrain from smoking/drinking, get 8-10 hours of sleep on average, and wear sunscreen. None of that requires being a mom!

Love yourself and embrace all of the wonderful relationships and experiences you can have. You can be healthy, happy, and inspirational as a woman no matter your motherhood status.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never been pregnant and I was horrified to find that stress incontinence comes with regular old aging.

Maybe. But it comes a whole lot quicker after babies. I can barely do jumping jacks without peeing my pants (after 3 kids).

Right! But the difference is, you don’t get to experience it until your 50. But some of us mothers have it at 35 from childbirth.

Oh geez. 44 childless woman here with currently ok pelvic floor. I had thought that was a silver lining too! You’re scaring me

Anonymous wrote:Not from what I've seen. Most of our family members didn't have kids (none of our siblings, most of our aunts and uncles didn't have kids). They look no different than our parents who had kids. They are grumpier as they age though from what I've seen. They're myopic and only focus on their problems versus our parents who are always thinking of their kid's problems, grandkids problems etc.

I think the secret to being physically and mentally younger is to be young at heart. That and get 8 hours of sleep a night.

Oh F off.

Anonymous wrote:I was super cute and fit before I got pregnant and now I'm a fat mess. Yes there are fit mom's but I see a lot more like me than otherwise.

I agree it's not great to find your validation this way, though. If you want to be a parent, you can be (incl. through adoption) and if not, you will find joy in other things.

+1. A comment from a triathlon I was at-the top woman in an older age group was speaking with SO and said that certain age groups for women were basically empty (prime childbearing years) and then they came back more serious and with a real anger and drive that was very different than the younger teen and early-20s group. It's hard, especially physically and if you don't have help. I think most moms could use a third co-parent. We had a family member stay with us (new job in the area) and it was fantastic just to be able to rotate off cooking dinner.

Anyway, my childless relatives are both very happy and one travels the world as a professor with her husband and beagle. I wouldn't worry too much about it.