It's a play on a famous statement made famous in the 1850s: "Go West, young man, and grow up with the country," urging men to take part in the westward expansion of the United States. While it's usually credited to journalist and writer Horace Greeley, the source of the very first use of the phrase is in dispute.

Of course I don't think families can only go west -- or north, or south -- to the Chicago suburbs to successfully raise a family. I have plenty of friends raising great kids in urban areas, in rural areas and foreign countries, too.

As for the "young" in "Young Mom" ... well, I doubt anyone compiling statistics would consider me a young first-time mom. But Go West Old Mom just didn't have the same ring!