Motherhood at 49 changed everything for me. From IVF to building a sustainable fashion brand, this is my story of late motherhood, reinvention, and creating a legacy. Read more!
"Mum, You're Old"—The Honest Wisdom of a 5-Year-Old
"Mum, you're old," Dylan says as he cuddles in my bed on the morning of my 55th birthday. His honesty and downright cheekiness make me laugh, but there's profound truth in his five-year-old wisdom. Fifty-five years of life. Five years (nearly six) of motherhood. A lifetime of learning compressed into these precious years together.
The Email That Changed My Late Motherhood Journey
I still remember sitting at home at 10 PM, my husband beside me, staring at the unopened email with my final IVF test results. At 48, after one failed round, this was our last chance. My husband and I had agreed—no more after this. The weight of potentially never becoming a mother pressed on my chest until I could barely breathe.
The email had arrived while I was at work that day, but I couldn't bring myself to open it. My husband gently urged me, "We need to know," but I kept putting it off, not wanting to face a negative result.
"Just open it," he finally said, squeezing my hand. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
The word "POSITIVE" blurred before my eyes. I turned to my husband, unable to form coherent sentences through my shock. "We're... it's... we made it."
How Motherhood at 49 Wasn’t Part of the Plan
Ten years ago, at 45, my life looked entirely different. I had just married my husband, was helping raise my stepchild, and had a career that allowed me to travel and experience the world. Having a baby wasn't even on my radar—until suddenly, it was.
One night in Brighton for a weekend getaway, my husband and I started discussing "what if." What if we tried for our own child? What if it wasn’t too late? We were embarrassingly naïve about our chances, especially at our ages. When we first walked into the fertility clinic, I noticed I was easily the oldest woman in the waiting room. The specialist didn't mince words about our odds, but something inside me couldn't let go of the possibility.
The Fear That Follows Joy in Late Motherhood
The first time I held Dylan, a love so fierce it felt almost violent washed over me. But alongside that overwhelming love came a new fear I hadn't anticipated—the mathematics of our lives together.
This morning, as Dylan eagerly helps me unwrap the gift he ‘picked’ for me, this fear whispers to me still. When Dylan graduates from secondary school, I'll be 68. When he might get married, I could be in my 70s or 80s. Will I be here to meet my grandchildren?
I recently re-joined a gym and started yoga three times per week and Pilates—not for vanity, but to help me with health and mobility so that I can keep up with him. I eat better and seldom drink alcohol. It’s not just about living longer; it's about living better for him.
The Beautiful Chaos of Sustainable Parenting
"Mum, watch this! Mum, mum, mum." The constant chorus of "mummy" follows me through the house, seeking attention, wanting things. "I'm hungry. Can I have a snack? Help me with this. Look what I made!" Things picked up and dropped wherever he likes, a trail of toys, books, and half-finished projects marking his path through our home.
But in this beautiful chaos, I’ve discovered a version of myself I never knew existed—a mother who can multitask like no other, juggling work, managing my own business, and running my child to many, many clubs and activities. Somehow, I've learned to function with a never-ending ‘to-do’ list, but I also find profound meaning in his achievements, like Dylan finally learning to swim last summer.
At drop-off this morning, I noticed a group of younger mothers chatting by the school gate. Most are in their 30s with other younger kids. I don't really fit in. I'm a much older mom with one child, battling menopause, lack of patience, and not sleeping well. While they discuss having more children or their youngest starting nursery, I'm navigating hot flashes and wondering if I'll have the energy for tonight’s bath and bedtime battle. The generational gap between us is more than just years—it’s different life stages colliding in the same school playground.
How Becoming a Mother at 49 Inspired My Sustainable Business
When COVID lockdown hit, my busy work life came to an abrupt halt. Suddenly, I found myself at home full-time with my 16-month-old son. What initially felt like an impossible challenge—juggling work and caring for a toddler without childcare—transformed into an unexpected gift. I was present for his first steps, his first words, and countless other milestones I might have missed in my normal rushing between meetings.
This forced slowdown gave me time to think differently about my life and future. What legacy did I want to leave for my son? What did I want to achieve during the rest of my lifetime? I wanted Dylan to grow up and be proud of his mum—to see that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself or pursue a passion.
Post-COVID, I found myself increasingly bored and uninspired by the clothes available for my then 2-year-old boy. The market seemed filled with stereotypical "boy clothes"—endless dinosaurs, trucks, and superhero prints in dull blues and browns.
That’s when All Things Dylan was born—a sustainable fashion brand that would offer parents an alternative to fast fashion, prioritising quality, individuality, and ethical production.
Building a Legacy Beyond Motherhood and Business
As I stand at this milestone of 55 years, with my miracle child about to turn six, I find myself planning differently than I might have in my younger years. I'm building All Things Dylan not just as a business, but as a legacy.
To the women who think the door has closed, who worry they've waited too long for motherhood—I see you. The path may be harder, the odds may be longer, but sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin later than expected.
And to the mothers of any age feeling overwhelmed, remember this: yesterday, Dylan asked why some of my hairs are "silver" while his are brown. I told him it's because I've been collecting stories and wisdom for 55 years.
"Tell me a story from before I was born," he requested, climbing onto my lap.
"The best stories," I whispered into his hair, "all started when you arrived."
Have You Experienced Late Motherhood or Started a Business as a Mum?
I’d love to hear your experiences! Share your story in the comments, or tag me on Instagram (@wear.all.things.dylan)—I’d love to connect!
