To ask at which stage/age of your life you were the happiest?

[UpsyDaisy123]

For me it was probably my first pregnancy. I was over the moon to be pregnant after a previous late miscarriage and, after an anxious and nauseous beginning, I had a pretty straightforward time. I felt optimistic at last and there was so much I was looking forward to.

Now and the last couple of years, have a gorgeous 3 year old and 18 month old, a husband I love, a home I love, a course I enjoy, starting a business. Not all roses I don't like my job very much and I am a worrier but I'm happy :)

Apart from right now, also when I was pregnant with DD2. After tough baby years DD1 was a delightful toddler. It was a gorgeous time. After an exceptionally tough few years, I'd say now is great too, for different reasons.

Mid 30s definitely. Looked great, felt great, had my babies.

Now I am late 40s and though I am not decrepit or desperately unhappy, I feel the golden age has gone (I also hate my husband today which is not helping ).

it's a relief to read a post like that magimedi. So often we're led to believe that it's all ''downhill from here''.

I'm single though and although I recognise that I'm fine now I worry that being single will impede my opportunity to be content in my 50s and 60s. I want somebdoy to do things with and I have only recently attempted to find that person and it seems to be too late. That depresses me, but luckily now I know that everything goes in cycles. I could be feeling so totally at peace with that same thought in a year.

Am certain it's not 'too late' Mince. I know of many people who have found someone in their 50's - there are loads of singles of your age around. In fact I think that there are more divorces amongst the 50/60 year old than any other age!

And although I have (& love DH) we both do many things on our own, including trips away. I've had some great breaks on my tod.

Right now things are perfect. I'm 34, in a happy relationship, 2 lovely dc, plenty of friends and I just feel surrounded by love.

My childhood was a clusterfuck of misery, my mum died when I was 6, my dad was an alcoholic, my wicked step mother came straight out of a fairy tale and my teens were filled with self loathing and destruction.

I am amazed at how happy and normal my life is now, I just want to grab this stage of my life and lock every single day in my memories

Thanks magimedi. They all marry women half their age. Well, that's not possible, there wouldn't be enough women to go round. So, I mustn't give up.

Yes don't give up mince. Some guys take forever before they're ready to settle down.

Like magimedi my friends are hugely important to me too. They become a second family when you marry later I think (I was 38 when I got married)

With 40s being tough I'm glad to hear things get better too

mince - most of the second marriages of older divorcees I know are not to people hlaf their age - 5/8 years seems to be the average.

Kitty - Where I am now would have been unbelievable to me in my 40's. It's very peaceful as well as being lots of fun.

I think when I was 30-33. I'd bought a house, had a decent job with prospects, I was at my slimmest (shallow) and I felt I could do anything, and achieve anything. I had a cool car, nice clothes and travelled the world.

Now? I'm fat, menopausal, broke and dumped..and almost unemployed.

I remember thinking on my 30th Birthday that I was really happy. We were about to get married, I loved my job And we had just moved into our dream house.
I am actually really happy now too. DD has got into the school we wanted, we have a successful business that makes us financially secure and we are getting a puppy of the type I have always wanted next week. We have had a tough couple of years as well but now everything that was causing me major stress has been settled so I am very happy right now!!

Loved my 20's, lots of fun, great friends, no responsibilities and traveled the world. So glad I lived a little before marriage and kids.

Had a few fantastic experiences aged 22-27 (partying / traveling) Then had an amazing few years when I met my DP.

Then def my first pregnancy had 3 losses and was under recurrent miscarriage team My first pregnancy wad a dream and I felt amazing. It wasn't just finally having a successful pregnancy either. I genuinely felt very serene, healthy and content.

Now. I had a shit childhood and a miserable youth but I married my dream husband and have a fine, healthy son. We have enough, and enough is everything. I am very thankful.

For a brief time in 2001 when I was 10 years old on holiday. Had a pretty difficult childhood/teen years and only recently overcoming some of my MH issues. The only thing I want is to meet a really nice man who gets me and to have children, but I worry i've missed out on so much that I may miss out on that too.

When I haven't been married. The rest, having children, not having children has been, and is, great. Being married stinks though.

Being married is a bit shit, I grant you, Tartan.

Even being married to someone who's not a total arsehole is a bit shit.

I know some people are properly happy and in love, but absolutely every single woman I personally know finds it agonising half the time and is certainly not 'happy'. Their husbands generally are though!

You are not allowed to gender stereotype on Mumsnet but I will - men are basically selfish creatures in my experience and my observation.

Early 30s, three little children, lots of good friends and neighbours and a husband who loved me. And my mum and dad who are sadly no longer with us.

We had so little money but it was such a happy, happy time.

I'm beginning to think a lot of people don't like being in relationships but stay in them.

I didn't like being a kid but I liked being a teenager which is not the usual way round!

Mid to late teens. Made lots of fantastic friends (still my best friends over 20 years later), had a ball. Was old enough to be able to act as if I was an adult but with none of the responsibility.

And still young enough to feel invincible, and naive enough to believe that everyone is a good person really and love will conquer all. Am an old cynic now!

Maybe women should use a man to have children and then set up in a relationship with another woman!

Now early fifties mortgage cleared dc both successful happy adults gorgeous new dh and new beloved ddog can't believe this is my life. Mind you I also loved bits of my twenties having babies (despite a vile bullying exdh) and I did have some very good times as a single mum.

Now. I have a job I love, the DCs (10 and 4) are easy (in comparison to the baby years) and I'm financially solvent and independent of anyone, including DH (that sounds awful, I don't mean I don't want him, I just don't need him, the distinction is odd but important to me). I'm 34 and have my health, my own teeth and have learned - after years of practise - how to make my hair swishy. Frankly, I doubt life gets much better than this.

Tartan, I'm not anti man at all, just don't want a relationship or children.

Time, I get that distinction totally, doesn't seem odd at all.