Here I am again, in my own space – as much a product of my own imagination as of your needs!

The response to our NURTURE blog (www.midlifemothers.org) has been overwhelming. We’ve been able to secure nationally recognized authors, experts and writers whose work involves and intersects with midlife mothers. MLM’s are women over 40 who chose motherhood (first, repeat, or last-time) through in vitro, natural childbirth, surrogacy, fostering, guardianship, adoption, and blending stepfamilies.  Midlife Mothers (MLMs) R Us!

The NURTURE website and blog will remain dedicated to our traveling art gallery show NURTURE: Stories of New Midlife Mothers. MotheringintheMiddle.com will expound upon the quality and breadth of topics previously written, while continuing to explore new territory.

Here at MotheringintheMiddle.com, we will intersperse daily experiences with thoughtful commentary and essays. We will occasionally feature guest writers whose expertise extends far beyond ours!  As midlife mothers, we are an increasingly growing group of women (one + million strong) with varied voices, philosophies and ideologies, and (very) differing lives. We live in various configurations of family units; we range in age from 38 -70. However, we share one common theme: the overriding desire to nurture and be mothers, and we are doing do so at an age which would have been considered “too old” even a decade ago.

Ask us and we’ll all say that we’re just “living our lives.” (We’re as surprised as you are about how our lives have unfolded!) However, without meaning to, we are also breaking barriers, dispelling myths, providing role models for subsequent generations of women, and giving voice (and face) to who we are and what we’re all about. We are redefining the term “middle age.”  We now represent the family of the future. In fact, the traditional two-parent family model, commonly formed in early adulthood, is becoming a “thing of the past.”

At MotheringintheMiddle.com, I’ll be joined by a very fine, well-rounded roster of pals –

  • Andrea Lynn – 38, writer, single mom by choice, daughters Claire, 2, and Anna, 5 months;  currently living in Canada
  • Deatra Haime Anderson – 47, writer, married, mother of Grace, 4. Lives in Hudson Valley. Member of Mocha Moms, Inc.
  • Julie Donner Andersen – 51, writer/humorist, with “hubs,” children Lindsay, 21, Zack, 18, and Chelsea, 11; currently living in Canada
  • Joely Johnson Mork – 43, writer/yoga instructor, married to husband 14 years her junior, son, Erling, 4 months  old (NY)
  • Peg O’Neill – 48, pediatrician, married, two boys, ages 5 and 10

And, guest bloggers such as Pam Brooks-Crump, Kathy Caprino and many more!

We hope to inform, inspire and support you in your journey. We hope that our life experiences will help you find comfort and confirmation. Should you wish to read about a specific topic, please let us know. Have a comment about something you’ve already read, give us a shout. We are all here and ready to share our lives with you. We have something to say, and very much hope you’ll enjoy reading it. We all love writing it!

My best,

Cyma Shapiro