I’m a 52-year-old single mother of 5 – I’ve had a kid every decade since my 20s

‘It’s never too late to become a mother,’ the mum-of-two wrote on Instagram, after sharing the news of her son’s birth last month. 

After hearing the news, my first thought was that I 100% agree, having had a baby at 50, two years ago.

Like the supermodel, I too have become a parent in my fifties and am raising my children as a solo parent.

Although our lives are worlds apart, I totally understand that desire to have a baby in your fifties. In fact, I would say that it’s much easier than having one in your twenties.

See, I’ve been pregnant every decade of my adult life – in my twenties, thirties, forties and fifties. 

I was 27 when I had my first son, Corey, and 36 when I had my second, Luke. Since I turned 40, I’ve had three girls – Lila at 40, Maya at 45 and Freya at 50.   

The truth is, I’ve found raising a child at 50 much easier than in my twenties. I’m more confident, wiser, laidback and patient – and I don’t sweat the small stuff.

Now, I’m used to being tired! I don’t want to be out partying or travelling, so I’m more present – and a better mum as a result.   

While it’s still considered unusual for a woman to have a baby at 50 or above, more and more women are giving birth in their forties. 

New figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of births to women over 40 now exceeds births to those under 20.

After Corey, I didn’t feel my family was complete and I wanted to add to it. I felt the need to have another child.

Not only are we both in our fifties, Campbell and I are both solo mums, too. I’ve raised all five of my children on my own (four were conceived with sperm donors) and I don’t regret a thing. 

While I’d always imagined being in a loving relationship when I had children, so many couples split up down the line. My children are not from a broken home, it’s always been just me and them – and I don’t think I would have been any better off raising them with a partner.

There will be plenty of people who judge Naomi, because of her age and because she’s a solo mum. Reading people’s comments online, I can see this judgement.

People have an issue that she will be 70 when the child is 20 but others are wishing her well. I also know this because I faced judgement for my decision to give birth at 50.

My mum told me she’d heard others speaking negatively about my choices.

What particularly irks me is society’s double standards and hypocrisy when it comes to men becoming fathers at an older age. Women are judged as being too old, selfish and an embarrassment to their children but men are not.

Robert de Niro has just welcomed his seventh child at 79, while Al Pacino is expecting his fourth at 83, but it’s almost like ‘good on them’ instead of negativity when it comes to older dads. 

Obviously they can physically father a child, but surely the same issues that apply to older mothers will apply to them too – such as potentially not being as physically active, or perhaps not being alive for a large part of their children’s lives?

I’ve always believed that you’re only as old as you feel. I am fit, healthy and I have a lot of energy – I know women who are 10 years younger than me, yet act a decade older.

I’ve never really cared what people think of me, and I’m not about to start now – just like Naomi Campbell should feel. 

The only opinion that matters to me is my kids, and they don’t care how old I am – they only see a mum they love, who loves them fiercely in return.

Even if that’s not the case, when you want something so strongly, it outweighs any negativity from others. 

I am sure both Campbell’s children are very loved and well cared for and that is all that matters. Good luck to her.

As told to Kate Skelton.