Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 26 year old dating 19 year old is weird?

239 replies

ChicJoker · 16/06/2026 05:53

I’ll leave sexes anonymous. I know both parties well, they have been dating for around 2 months. One is my sibling. I feel really really irked by it. It’s weird right?

OP posts:
OonaStubbs · 20/09/2026 20:38

It is only just outside the half your age plus seven rule which governs the acceptable age gap in relationships.

MajorSamanthaCarter · 21/09/2026 08:08

OonaStubbs · 20/09/2026 20:38

It is only just outside the half your age plus seven rule which governs the acceptable age gap in relationships.

You've already said that on this thread and many others 🙄

Thechaseison71 · 21/09/2026 22:42

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 20/09/2026 10:18

its extremely “weird”. A 19 year old is barely an adult. I would assume any 26 year old interested in a 19 year old has some serious issues or is looking for someone they can control. It’s icky

Show quote history

Even when the 19 year old is the 26 year olds boss at work?

Or the 19 year old with a job and a child with a 26 year old living with mummy?

Where's the controlling power there

Thechaseison71 · 21/09/2026 23:04

LostAlice · 20/09/2026 01:00

age gap is fine but not when someone is still at school...
she is still learning, he has the 'wisdom' aura

Show quote history

Are many 19 year olds still at school?

Skippydoodle · 21/09/2026 23:12

Not your business, butt out. I met my partner at 18, partner was 27. 31st wedding anniversary just gone. Both couldn’t be happier. You sound way too invested in others business. Go out, have fun, get a life of your own.

Skippydoodle · 21/09/2026 23:21

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 20/09/2026 10:18

its extremely “weird”. A 19 year old is barely an adult. I would assume any 26 year old interested in a 19 year old has some serious issues or is looking for someone they can control. It’s icky

Show quote history

Bullshit. I met partner at age 18. I’d already purchased a property (no inheritance, just hard work and determined independence). Partner was 27 and still living at home, earning half as much as me. I was way older in some respects and partner was in other life areas. 30+ years later, we still make a bloody good team. I wasn’t groomed,, far from it! I told him 12 months into the relationships that he needed to put a ring on it!

Shatteredremnants · 21/09/2026 23:22

I don’t think it’s weird in the slightest. There’s 5 years between me and DH, it’s not that much outwith that. What’s the issue, they’re both consenting adults?

ErrolTheDragon · 21/09/2026 23:51

OonaStubbs · 20/09/2026 20:38

It is only just outside the half your age plus seven rule which governs the acceptable age gap in relationships.

Which is a made-up ‘rule’ anyway.
Age gaps aren’t an absolute thing, they obviously depend on the individuals.

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 22/09/2026 07:34

Thechaseison71 · 21/09/2026 22:42

Even when the 19 year old is the 26 year olds boss at work?

Or the 19 year old with a job and a child with a 26 year old living with mummy?

Where's the controlling power there

Edited
Show quote history

neither of those are very likely or common scenarios are they

dopaminego · 22/09/2026 08:00

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 20/09/2026 10:18

its extremely “weird”. A 19 year old is barely an adult. I would assume any 26 year old interested in a 19 year old has some serious issues or is looking for someone they can control. It’s icky

Show quote history

'icky'? Are you five?

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 22/09/2026 09:43

dopaminego · 22/09/2026 08:00

'icky'? Are you five?

Show quote history

It’s as good a descriptor as any. A 19 year old is barely an adult. There is something very wrong about a fully grown adult that looks for a relationship with someone who seeks out a relationship with someone in that stage of life

Thechaseison71 · 22/09/2026 12:44

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 22/09/2026 07:34

neither of those are very likely or common scenarios are they

Show quote history

Well my DD at 19 was her now husband's manager so it does happen

At 19 my best mate had 2 kids, her own flat and a full time job. A bloke of 25/6 she was seeing lived with his mum

That's 2 examples just from my own personal experience

And there are plenty of 19 year olds working same as 26 year olds

Thechaseison71 · 22/09/2026 12:46

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 22/09/2026 09:43

It’s as good a descriptor as any. A 19 year old is barely an adult. There is something very wrong about a fully grown adult that looks for a relationship with someone who seeks out a relationship with someone in that stage of life

Show quote history

That assumes it's the26 year old that's looking to start a relationship with a 19 year old

Dexternight · 22/09/2026 16:41

Not all relationships with age gaps are abusive in nature.
Not all relationships with no age gaps are non abusive.
Depends on the individuals.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread