TV presenter Kathryn Thomas recently opened up about the joys and challenges of being a parent in her 40s on the “Roasted” podcast. Thomas, who welcomed her daughter Grace at the age of 42, shared a candid look at the realities of raising young children later in life.
“It is the greatest privilege to be a parent and it is the greatest joy,” Thomas gushed.However, she also acknowledged the unique challenges that come with starting a family later on, stating, “You’re more tired.”
Pic: Kathryn Thomas/Instagram
thomas explained that the energy demands of parenting are different in your 40s compared to your 30s. “Myself and Padraig weren’t spring chickens. You’re definitely more tired,” she admitted.
Thomas, who is married to Pádraig McLoughlin, jokingly compared her husband to Rod Stewart, who became a father later in life. “Padraig is 50 and I keep calling him Rod Stewart – he was knocking out children when he was 70 whatever – and Padraig is like, ‘Yeah he’s a multimillionaire with multiple nannies and he’s never home,’ ” she laughed.
Pic: Kathryn Thomas/Instagram
Thomas and McLoughlin are parents to two daughters,six-year-old Ellie and three-year-old Grace. Thomas is also stepmother to McLoughlin’s son, Conor.
TV star Hints at Expanding Her family
Popular TV personality Kathryn Thomas recently shared a playful anecdote about her desire for another child. While shopping with her husband,Pádraig McLoughlin,she confessed to feeling a pang of longing when they passed the baby section. “There’s a vast difference!” she exclaimed.
kathryn Thomas and Pádraig McLoughlin.Pic: Gareth Chaney Collins
Kathryn jokingly revealed that Pádraig, in classic husband fashion, expertly dodged the conversation. Playing it cool, he reportedly kept his head down, pretending not to have heard her remark, and quickly made his way to the produce aisle.
## Parenthood in the 40s: A Chat with Kathryn Thomas
**Q: Kathryn, you’ve been very open about the joys and challenges of becoming a parent later in life. What would you say is the biggest difference between being a parent in yoru 40s versus your 30s?**
**A:** It’s definitely the energy! You’re just more tired in your 40s. It’s a different kind of exhaustion when you’re juggling work, family, and the demands of young children. My husband **Pádraig** and I often joke about it – he’s 50 and I keep calling him Rod Stewart!
**Q: Rod Stewart having kids later in life – a good comparison?**
**A:** (Laughs) well, it’s more the “multimillionaire with multiple nannies and never home” part that we relate to!
**Q: Speaking of children, you and Pádraig are now parents to two beautiful daughters. Ellie is six and Grace is three, right?**
**A:** That’s right! And we’re blessed to also have **Pádraig**’s son, **Conor**, who is part of the family.
**Q: You recently shared a funny anecdote about wanting another child. Tell us about that!**
**A:** (Laughs) Well, we were in the grocery store, and I wholly zoned out when we passed the baby section. I think I actually said something aloud about how cute those tiny clothes were, and expecting another little one. **Pádraig**, being the amazing husband he is, just lowered his head, pretended he didn’t hear, and made a beeline for the produce aisle!
## Parenthood in the 40s: A Chat with Kathryn Thomas
**Q: Kathryn, you’ve been very open about the joys and challenges of becoming a parent later in life. What would you say is the biggest difference between being a parent in your 40s versus your 30s?**
**A:** it’s definitely the energy! You’re just more tired in your 40s.It’s a different kind of exhaustion when you’re juggling work, family, and the demands of young children. My husband **Pádraig** and I frequently enough joke about it – he’s 50 and I keep calling him Rod Stewart!
**Q: Rod Stewart having kids later in life – a good comparison?**
**A:** (Laughs) well, it’s more the “multimillionaire with multiple nannies and never home” part that we relate to!
**Q: Speaking of children, you and Pádraig are now parents to two stunning daughters.Ellie is six and Grace is three, right?**
**A:** That’s right! And we’re blessed to also have **Pádraig’s** son, **Conor**, who is part of the family.
**Q: You recently shared a funny anecdote about wanting another child. tell us about that!**
**A:** (Laughs) Well, we were in the grocery store, and I totally zoned out when we passed the baby section. I think I actually said something aloud about how cute those tiny clothes were, and expecting another little one. **Pádraig**, being the amazing husband he is, just lowered his head, pretended he didn’t hear, and made a beeline for the produce aisle!
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