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Original poster

I've never felt more middle-aged

80 replies

IHeartKingThistle · 26/10/2023 22:13

I'm having a little cry in the bath because my teenagers (though lovely) don't want to spend time with me in half term any more and now my varifocals are steamed up.

I'm old now, right?!

OP posts:
wideawakeinthemiddleofthenightagain · 26/10/2023 23:19

I've been feeling it this week too as half terms used to be about doing fun activities together but now it's me hanging about at home hoping that they might talk to me, being really pleased with myself if I come up with a reply which elicits a smile but trying to also act as though it doesn't matter to me a jot if they do bother to talk to me. It is remarkably similar to being a teenager myself and having massive crushes on boys and hoping they might notice me.
I did stop pining for the good old days though when driving home from dropping teen #1 off and passing a mum with a 6yo & 4yo who were clearly being a nightmare. There were lots of things I loved about that age but teens are good fun when they speak to you

Tinysoxxx · 26/10/2023 23:20

I got the email from Netflix last week

We’ve just added a film you might like:
Old Dads

😫

ALongHardWinter · 26/10/2023 23:22

mrswhiplington Sorry you've had such a crappy day. Flowers for you.

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 26/10/2023 23:22

ReginaPerrin · 26/10/2023 23:18

I felt really old the other day when a kid in the street said to his friend ‘move over, you’re blocking that old lady’s path’. I’m only early 50s.

Omg that's bad!!

Someoneonlyyouknow · 26/10/2023 23:25

Why are you wearing spectacles in the bath?

They'll still want you for lifts, and food, and money, if not conversation.

Lentilweaver · 26/10/2023 23:27

not to worry; they will come back! Time to travel and pursue passions that you have been wanting to do for years.

HappyCamperTent · 26/10/2023 23:27

My ds is 14 and I’ve noticed this so much recently! He has some good friends and a nice girlfriend. He’s happy and polite so I feel like I’ve done a good job… Even though he gave me the death stare because I said goodnight to him whilst his microphone was still on to his mates!… It’s such a strange feeling isn’t it? Not being the centre of their world anymore!

But I have my 10yr old dd to cling on to for a little while yet 😀

On another note I’m currently lying in bed with a hotwater bottle easing my back that I twinged earlier!… I feel old atm!

Lentilweaver · 26/10/2023 23:27

@wideawakeinthemiddleofthenightagain you have summed it up so well!

Original poster
IHeartKingThistle · 26/10/2023 23:28

@wideawakeinthemiddleofthenightagain that's exactly it. Thank you.

OP posts:
AmazingSnakeHead · 26/10/2023 23:29

OP you might have to play the long game. I'm about to spend half term with my mum for the first time in 15 years, as it's my own DS's first half term coming up!

They go away so that they come back, nicer and more talkative.

Conniethecatapillar · 26/10/2023 23:34

I've been wondering what I'll do when mine are that age, like you still have to be there at home but not doing anything with them. I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing exactly!

Echobelly · 26/10/2023 23:41

I get you...I am a bit sad that 15yo is now busy with their own things most of the time but also glad they have lovely friends to be busy with!

MysteryBelle · 26/10/2023 23:53

wideawakeinthemiddleofthenightagain · 26/10/2023 23:19

I've been feeling it this week too as half terms used to be about doing fun activities together but now it's me hanging about at home hoping that they might talk to me, being really pleased with myself if I come up with a reply which elicits a smile but trying to also act as though it doesn't matter to me a jot if they do bother to talk to me. It is remarkably similar to being a teenager myself and having massive crushes on boys and hoping they might notice me.
I did stop pining for the good old days though when driving home from dropping teen #1 off and passing a mum with a 6yo & 4yo who were clearly being a nightmare. There were lots of things I loved about that age but teens are good fun when they speak to you

Perfectly captured it. I feel exactly the same.

HappyCamperTent · 26/10/2023 23:58

Conniethecatapillar · 26/10/2023 23:34

I've been wondering what I'll do when mine are that age, like you still have to be there at home but not doing anything with them. I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing exactly!

I just do my own thing. I’m not hanging about for someone that doesn’t want to spend the time with me.

Millybob · 27/10/2023 00:06

But the next stage is when they take you out for a drink - and pay.

1daughterand3sons · 27/10/2023 00:13

I can get my 16 year old to follow me most places if foods on the cards.

Teenagehorrorbag · 27/10/2023 00:16

Milarky · 26/10/2023 22:41

You're not old! You fell over.

Not "had a fall" which seems to be the terminology for old people. ;)

Show quote history

Was going to say this! It's a very important distinction!

The day you say you "had a fall", you might as well check into assisted living....

If it's any consolation, I am an older Mum and had IVF twins at 44. We've always shopped in our local Morrisons. A while ago I went to their butchers counter and the chap said 'not got the grandchildren today then?'

Gutted......😂

Singleandproud · 27/10/2023 00:33

I'm only 37 and 14 year old DD has made plans with her friends this week, I got the week off work too which seems a bit of a waste. But Im thrilled she's got good friends even if I'm on taxi duty

CastlesinSpain · 27/10/2023 00:37

I happened to get into a couple of very absorbing new hobbies when my oldest was about 15 so I don't remember them not talking to me. It's possible I didn't talk to them much though...
Hmmm 🤔

LynneLynne · 27/10/2023 01:04

IceCreamSundaeCat · 26/10/2023 22:42

My mother got stuck in the bath years back. I could hear screaming so ran upstairs but there was no chance I could haul her out so I had to drain it, get her knickers and dressing gown on so she was decent, put a cushion behind her head, radio on in the corridor and cup of tea.

She wouldn't let me fetch a neighbour to help get her out so in the end the fire brigade had to do it 🙈

Hope you're out OP...

Show quote history

Your poor mum. How old was she?

This is my worst nightmare.

Kokeshi123 · 27/10/2023 01:33

It's not about being middle aged, it's about teenagers!
If you'd had your kids at 15 you might be less than 30 years old at this point, and they would still be like this, honestly.

They grow out of being annoying twats, honestly. By 20 or so, they are back to hanging out with their parents. It's mostly lovely to have adult children!

bobcat2424 · 27/10/2023 01:39

Ladyj84 · 26/10/2023 22:24

Luckily our teens adore doing family things so lucky I guess tho the whole extended family real close aswell

That's helpful!
Hopefully for your sake, your 'lucky situation' is not a view shrouded in complacency

GoodToBeHome · 27/10/2023 06:05

Conniethecatapillar · 26/10/2023 23:34

I've been wondering what I'll do when mine are that age, like you still have to be there at home but not doing anything with them. I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing exactly!

You don't still have to be at home, I've been at work all week!

incognito50me · 27/10/2023 06:25

Conniethecatapillar · 26/10/2023 23:34

I've been wondering what I'll do when mine are that age, like you still have to be there at home but not doing anything with them. I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing exactly!

Be a listening ear when they feel like talking (11 pm on a school night, usually). Deal with crises that you had warned them of but they decided that the only way to learn something is by experiencing it. Help with school work they did not leave enough time for. Ferry them around if your public transport is not good enough.
And, sometimes, they'll relate to you in a way that will let you see the adults they will one day become, funny and kind.

incognito50me · 27/10/2023 06:29

"It is remarkably similar to being a teenager myself and having massive crushes on boys and hoping they might notice me."
@wideawakeinthemiddleofthenightagain , thank you for the chuckle! Tina Fey has a similar take:

#TinaFey on what it’s really like to have a teenage daughter #Shorts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TAShNKMZek