I have been Mom for most of my adult life.

H was born when I was 23.  Since then, my life has revolved around kids.

Sure, we’ve had stages.  Babies and diapers, elementary school, now middle and high school.  In each of those roles, society has treated us Moms as special.

Once the kids leave home, are we no longer special?

We’re not young adults.  Not senior citizens.  We get to pay full price for everything.  According to society, we are not special in any way.  We are Middle-Aged.

Statistically, we will spend about one-quarter of our lives as Middle-Aged.  Not a kid, not a young adult…not even a senior citizen.

The strangest part of this is that I feel exactly the same now as I did when I was a senior in high school.  I have seen more, done more, but fundamentally I’m still the same person.

Instead of being in the thick of things, I get to sit back and laugh about all the crazy times.  I get to watch young mother’s struggling with screaming toddlers, and chuckle quietly.  When parents apologize to me about their misbehaving children, I just smile.  I’m very happy it’s them and not me!

Society may not recognize us as special, but I feel like I get to graduate with my kids!

What will life be like when we don’t have to plan everything around our kids’ activities?

Think about it…

Dinner out will be for two, instead of six.  Movie dates with two instead of six.  Last-minute vacations for two instead of six.

We can go out three times for the price of one!

All the things you wanted to do, but didn’t because of the kids can happen.  Climb a mountain, jump out of an airplane, or tour the world.  Go away for the weekend on the spur of the moment.  Eat popcorn and candy for dinner and watch trashy movies without worrying about setting a bad example.

A part of me will the busy calendar.  I may even sit around and feel bad about how quiet my house will be.

But not for long!

When my fourth kid graduates from high school, I will be 46.  Middle-Aged.

Bring it on!