Empty-Nest Boomers Say "Fill'er Up" Professor David J. Demko, PhD AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com, 02-26-2001 Those trend-setting baby boomers are at it again. At a time generally known as the "empty nest" period of life, some boomers are saying "fill'er up". Check this out. More and more women are embracing motherhood later in life. The birthrate for women aged 40 to 44 increased 81 percent between 1980 and 1995. No one seems to have paid much attention, until now. As trends go, it sounds like boomers have invented "trend-cloning", baby boomers creating a baby boom. What's behind these "nest refills"? Who knows? Blame Viagra. Makes you wonder what might have happened if retired Senator Bob Dole had decided to become a spokesman for a Tatoo Artist. Would grandparents be running around with "Mom" tatooed on their chest? A new baby boomer trend always makes an exciting headline, but after all the hoopla dies down, the new moms are faced with the daily realities of caring for the new baby. Faced with a first-time parenting experience, these boomer moms may need all the help they can get. That's why a new book, "Hot Flashes, Warm Bottles" by Nancy London is a welcomed addition to the growing arsenal of boomer self-help literature. As an older first-time mother of a young daughter, Nancy London combed the bookshelves in search of support and guidance for some of the emotional and physical challenges she faced. Alas, the cupboard was bare. Most parenting books were written for much younger women, while books on midlife assumed the female reader had grown children. The next day, Nancy ran an ad in the local newspaper to start a support group for first-time moms over forty, and her phone hasn’t stopped ringing since. "Hot Flashes, Warm Bottles" is a guidebook for the multitudes of older moms. The book distills the wisdom, insight, and practical advice gathered during the author's years as a therapist and support group leader. Nancy London, M.S.W., is a licensed therapist specializing in women's issues. Three months shy of her 44th birthday, Nancy gave birth to her first and only child. Readers will find tips for renewing physical and sexual energy, parenting after infertility and adoption, balancing career and family, caring for elderly parents, and personal stories from older moms. "Hot Flashes, Warm Botles", Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, California, 2001, 192 pages, $14.95. The book reads like a conversation among cherished friends. Read it for inspiration, humor, and down-to-earth advice. Read more profiles of interesting people in AgeVenture's Lifestyle section. Read more book reviews about trends in Aging America. Dr. Demko reports on lifestyle trends in Aging America. Submit reader comments to: demko@demko.com