Motherhood: Katja Kaistinen Became a Mother for the First Time at Nearly Fifty

Katja Kaistinen embraced motherhood for the first time at the age of 47, a period when many of her peers were entering grandparenthood. This late-in-life motherhood has offered her a unique perspective on parenting.

Reflecting on her experience, Kaistinen believes that becoming a mother in her late forties has allowed her to be more present and appreciative of the small moments. She contrasts this with how she might have approached motherhood in her thirties, suggesting she might have been more focused on 'performing' the role rather than fully experiencing it. Now, she finds she can pause and savor moments, even amidst the inevitable mess of family life.

Her pregnancy was unexpected. Kaistinen had largely set aside her hopes of having children, attributing her persistent fatigue to common age-related issues like menopause or an underactive thyroid. The realization of her pregnancy came as a surprise, especially given her age and the life stage of her friends.

She recalls experiencing cravings, such as a strong desire for an apple at work, which had also occurred during a previous, brief pregnancy years earlier. This time, however, the pregnancy continued, leading her to a new chapter of life as a mother to her seven-year-old daughter, Elsa.

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I think I would have performed motherhood in my thirties. At fifty, I can pause in the moments and shift my gaze away from the mess at home.