Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think your 30s are the most knackering decade?

253 replies

TheyNicknamedHerTheBolter · 08/01/2025 14:46

I'm 37 so am very happy to be told I'm wrong and that actually it gets worse.

I've just been chatting to a colleague who is 22 and lives at home. She went abroad with her friend for Xmas and told me how desperate she had been to get away and that the break or sleeping in, eating and drinking all day and resting on the beach did her the world of good. Now; that's lovely and I'm genuinely glad she enjoyed it but it did make me smile when she suggested I did the same next year.
My break would include taking 3 DC (one with autism) and a DH. There wouldn't be much sleeping on the beach.

Now I'm thinking about the juggling act of this life phase, kids, houses to run, full time employment, the mental load etc etc etc. I'm KNACKERED all of the time.

I know as my kids grow up (currently 4, 9 and 14) it may get even harder, but I do hope as I get older I can work a little less and have a bit more me time, until the needs of caring for parents kicks in, at least?

So please tell me, wise mumsnetters, is this the hardest slog or does it get more exhausting? Which decade have you found the hardest?

OP posts:
RupertCampbellBlacksEgo · 08/01/2025 14:50

It's lifestyle choices, not age. I'm childfree and life is peaceful and I have no obligations and about 2 appointments a year. I actively chose this, as I would not enjoy anything else.

Billybagpuss · 08/01/2025 14:48

Sorry 40s for me - perimenopause, stroppy teenagers, daily grind.

loving my 50s though

lifeturnsonadime · 08/01/2025 14:47

Sorry I think it gets harder OP.

Then factor in menopause, older teen/ young adult issues and ageing parents.

Swipe left for the next trending thread