37: Finding Love Later with Jennifer Spaulding

Welcome! My guest today is Jennifer Spaulding, a relationship
coach, speaker, writer, and passionate supporter of single women.
Her own journey from being single until her late 30’s, to finding
real love with her husband helps her teach others about healthy
and meaningful relationships.


Jennifer has been featured in several publications and has spent
20 years coaching clients with her relationship expertise.
Jennifer lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and dog. Let’s
talk with Jennifer!


What you’ll hear in this episode:


Jennifer always assumed she would be a mother because
that was what was modelled for her as she grew up.

At age 16, she began having issues that she suspected would
affect her fertility.

At age 30, she was single and decided to adopt a dog (instead
of a child.)

She met her husband at age 39 but had recently
discovered that she had premature ovarian failure, which meant
early menopause symptoms. So often we never hear about these
types of health issues, until we are investigating if there is a
problem. 

She later found out that two aunts in her family had also
gone through menopause prior to age 40.

Jennifer went through a grieving process to mourn the loss of
the possibility of motherhood, but also because she was single
and didn’t have the relationship she wanted.

When you are single and childless, there is a heightened
awareness of people around you who have what you do not. It can
be very isolating.

Jennifer was nervous about dating and having the difficult
conversation with a potential spouse about having a child, so
early on in the connection.

Telling her then boyfriend (now husband) was a positive
experience, as even though he had always wanted children too, but
he valued their relationship first and he was very supportive.

Immediately after their marriage, they felt the pressure and
heard the questions about when they would start a family.

Jennifer and her husband have both found other ways to love,
nurture, and mentor people in other relationships besides
parenthood.

They both have the gift of more free time to serve others in
various ways since they don’t have children.

The benefits for Jennifer to not having children are having
time to write, speak, coach, and mentor to help others.

She also appreciates being able to cultivate a great
relationship with her husband, since they started their lives
together later in life than most people.

She and her husband love to travel and explore together, and
Jennifer loves to find joy in her own life and help others do the
same.

Find Jennifer at www.jenniferspaulding.com.

I do hope you enjoyed this episode. Subscribe for more at
michellemariemcgrath.com  Thank you!