not renewing subscription to mothering mag

[mama_kass]

My husband and I have recently decided that we will not be having any more children. The reasons for this are complicated, as I'm sure they usually are for most families making this decision.

At this moment I can not bare to see pictures and read articles of beautiful babies, and pregnant mothers with beautiful stories about birthing, and mothering a newborn/baby/toddler. Mothering seems to have shifted a total focus towards this first phase of mothering.

Why doesn't mothering have more articles about parenting older children and teens? I have seen articles scattered here and there, but lately the focus seems to have changed to exclusive beginning parenting. Is this just my perception?

I have subscribed to mothering for over five years and it is heartbreaking to give up the mag, but I just can't bare it.

[Cassiopeia]

After a while I got sick of reading parenting stuff so I don't sub any more either. I get a homeschooling mag now and I really like that. I'm just not that interested in reading about birth, bfing, etc. any more.

[Kristine233]

That would be really cool if they did have more articles for older kids. My "baby" is now nearing 5 years old so a lot doesn't pertain to us anymore. I'm so sad. I still buy it though because I love reading it. (ETA: I don't have a subscription. Because I don't have a baby I don't find theres enough for me to justify a subscription. I buy them when I know there is an article I'll like)

[eleven]

I'm right there with you. Every so often there seems to be a brilliant issue, but I find myself bored by a lot of the articles.

[wonderwahine]

I'm sorry. I find myself gravitating to homeschooling mags etc now that ds is growing up.

[DaughterOfKali]

I definitely see a market for a natural mag that focuses on school age children.
I would love to find a magazine like that!

[jeca]

good point, have you brought this to the attention of the magazine itself?

[psyche]

I'm debating about renewing as well. Although I still have a somewhat young'un (nineteen months old), the age is somewhat "old hat" to me as a parent. It bores me to read about baby stuff.

But not renewing seems so disloyal to me. I just keep hoping for something geared more to the older-child set.

[A&A]

Originally Posted by mama_kass

Why doesn't mothering have more articles about parenting older children and teens? I have seen articles scattered here and there, but lately the focus seems to have changed to exclusive beginning parenting. Is this just my perception?

I completely agree.

[rmzbm]

Honestly? I think it has more to do with first time parents and parents of babies/newborns being the populations most likely to subscribe...so they are catered to.

[Ruthla]

I wish Mothering would have a spinoff magazine for parenting older kids- I can't justify the expense either for the rare articles that actually may apply to my family. I still enjoy reading about birth and BF, but it's just "fun reading" for me, not anything actually useful and inspiring anymore.

[bri276]

Why doesn't mothering have more articles about parenting older children and teens? I have seen articles scattered here and there, but lately the focus seems to have changed to exclusive beginning parenting. Is this just my perception?

It's not just your perception, but it's not just Mothering mag either. MOST of the media focuses more on infants, toddlers and young children than older children and preteens. The romantic notion of parenthood just doesn't include them. I think about it alllll the time. When I see people saying "I want another BABY" I think, yeah, but do you want another 7 yr old, 12 yr old or 15 yr old? huh. not as cute anymore!

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by bri276

It's not just your perception, but it's not just Mothering mag either. MOST of the media focuses more on infants, toddlers and young children than older children and preteens. The romantic notion of parenthood just doesn't include them. I think about it alllll the time. When I see people saying "I want another BABY" I think, yeah, but do you want another 7 yr old, 12 yr old or 15 yr old? huh. not as cute anymore!

Or maybe it's just that parents of little ones need more guidance. By the time kids are bigger, most parents have more confidence in their parenting style and know their children fairly well.

I think you see the same pattern in MDC posts. Lots of panicked posts about toddlers swallowing small objects or infant growth patterns. The concerns about teenagers are fewer and more in depth.

[CorbinsMama]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I wish Mothering would have a spinoff magazine for parenting older kids- I can't justify the expense either for the rare articles that actually may apply to my family.

Same here. Even though I now have a little one after 8 years of thinking we wouldn't have another, I just don't need all those newborn articles since I did it already. I need "tween" and homeschool articles.

[wonderwahine]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

Or maybe it's just that parents of little ones need more guidance. By the time kids are bigger, most parents have more confidence in their parenting style and know their children fairly well.

I think you see the same pattern in MDC posts. Lots of panicked posts about toddlers swallowing small objects or infant growth patterns. The concerns about teenagers are fewer and more in depth.

i think the issues as they get older need even more support and guidence. Its hard! I am scared of the 5yr old years, and then the pre teen years, and then oh god, puberty!! I'm a woman, how do i sympathise and parent my pubescent son through that gently? Then things like homeschooling etc..... but I guess thats why they inveted the discussion boards

[MillingNome]

sounds like the makings for a million dollar idea for someone with the right talents

[normajean]

I've stopped reading any magazines at all, I read blogs & forums. Then I get ideas from people who are actually "in the trenches" not what someone thinks will sell magazines on whatever topic.

[Iris' Mom]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I wish Mothering would have a spinoff magazine for parenting older kids- I can't justify the expense either for the rare articles that actually may apply to my family. I still enjoy reading about birth and BF, but it's just "fun reading" for me, not anything actually useful and inspiring anymore.

:

[wonderwahine]

Originally Posted by normajean

I've stopped reading any magazines at all, I read blogs & forums. Then I get ideas from people who are actually "in the trenches" not what someone thinks will sell magazines on whatever topic.

but you cant read a blog in the car or in the dentists office

[hipmummy]

maybe there could be a spinoff like mothering your or mothering your school aged child.