Parenting
I proudly identify with the F-word, and it’s a positive one. No, I’m not talking about the vulgarity you might think of, but rather words that resonate with empowerment: Friend. Fabulous. Fearless. Freaking Awesome. Forty-seven.
Unfortunately, you don’t often see someone like me portrayed in films or television. You may catch a glimpse of an older or middle-aged mother, but they’re usually depicted as the quirky overachiever who’s a bit lost. That’s nonsense, and I’m here to say so.
As a 47-year-old mom, I embrace every wrinkle, every sag, every bulge that comes with my age. I’m not a trendy 29-year-old in Uggs, cradling a Starbucks while managing two picture-perfect kids—okay, maybe I do enjoy my coffee, but it’s more likely Dunkin’ since it’s convenient and budget-friendly.
I didn’t get here by playing it safe. We lead real lives. I’ve successfully homeschooled two teenagers through high school, navigated a myriad of challenges with them, supported my husband through corporate shake-ups, and I still manage to keep my sense of humor alive. And let’s not forget the joy of spending time with my girlfriends—those precious moments where you can truly be yourself, if you can even remember who that is.
We often get so wrapped up in our roles as moms and wives, but what happens when it’s time to reclaim our identities? I just finished watching The Other F Word on Amazon, and it had me laughing so hard that I nearly burst (another delightful side effect of being 47). The character of Sherry, the Lyft driver, really resonated with me—she’s like my spirit animal. Driving becomes my opportunity to confront road annoyances while promoting safety. I found myself laughing and nodding along, though some of the “never-have-I-evers” made me raise an eyebrow. The show boldly addresses topics like menopause, or perimenopause in my case, and even dives into the topic of vibrators.
“The best attendees at my home sex toy party were all over 40. Let’s be honest, we know what we want, and we aren’t shy about pursuing it. Plus, we have the funds to indulge!”
What I appreciate about this show is its origin story. Director Lila Thompson faced skepticism from Hollywood insiders (including women) who claimed there was no market for a show focused on midlife women. She defied the odds, privately funding the series and releasing it on Amazon. The result? Over 1 million views in Season 1 and more than 80,000 views in just a month for Season 2. This is particularly ironic considering they claimed women over 40 don’t stream shows.
That’s a triumphant response to those Hollywood gatekeepers. I have an F-word for them too: Fearless.
According to She-conomy, over 85% of all consumer product purchases—from cars to healthcare—are made by women. So, let’s stop assuming we know what women want and start giving us authentic stories about real women. The Other F Word is a series of short videos available for free on Amazon.
For more insights on topics like pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and consider exploring this blog post for information on home insemination kits.
And if you’re looking for practical solutions for dosing, Medipaci’s Accu-Dose Pacifier is a great authority on that topic.
In summary, it’s time to celebrate the vibrancy and complexity of women over 40, proving that we are formidable forces in the world.