To be envious of DH and our daughters?

[crazycoyote]

It’s just not fair. DH and our daughters look so much younger than they are. It comes from DH’s side of the family. Everyone from his side of the family look significantly younger than they are. DH is 52, but he actually looks like he’s 38. People find it absolutely incomprehensible when he tells them his real age. They demand to see his birth certificate or passport because they simply don’t believe it.

Our daughters (twins) are 33, but they look like they are 18-19. DH can’t even grow a beard – he’s from Kenya, and he says that all the males in his family can’t grow beards. DH has never shaved a day in his life. His chin is so soft and smooth. It comes from his mother, who is 76, but looks 20 years her junior. Apparently DH’s grandmother possessed the same youthful genes.

And it’s not just the youthful faces – DH and our daughters have an extremely efficient metabolism. They just don’t gain weight, no matter how much they eat. Our eldest daughter gave birth to an unbelievably beautiful baby boy last year, but she is still so slim. No baby weight whatsoever.

The ironic thing is that when DH was in his 20 and 30s, his youthful face made him look like a teenager and he hated it. He actually had some insecurity issues because of it. But now he’s older so he’s very content and smug about it. Same with our daughters – they always used to get annoyed about getting asked for ID when buying alcohol or going to watch an 18+ film at the cinema. But now that they are also older, they love looking significantly younger.

And then here I am at 55, and looking every bit my age in both the face and body :(

It’s just not fair.

Are there others here who are blessed to have the “not ageing gene?”

[Lozzamas]

I was always younger looking , lots of unentitled half fares and admissions in my twenties etc. Then the menopause hit, that made me look my age. Additionally I decided to loose some weight before I couldn't. I am testimony to the theory that a bit of padding helps with the youthful appearance - big mistake I should have carried on a few pounds over- I'm now looking older than my age and all in a year or two, plus my husband and DC don't like the slimmer me - say I'm too gaunt and boney and it's not the Mum/partner they're used to. It cost a fortune in new clothes too. So those that would trade youth for figure don't do it!! Menopause dries you out enough without going sinewy too!! I'm gonna enjoy putting a few pounds back on though!!

[Geobaby]

I'm 41 next month but people assume I'm late twenties/early thirties. They obvs haven't looked closely enough! I don't wear makeup very often. Maybe that's why . I feel about 65 though!

[GoLightlyHollie]

I get taken for someone 10 years younger all the time. But it's a case of if you look close enough and I smile, the wrinkles are all there.
Still I'll take it.
About 8 years ago, aged in my early 30s I was asked for ID buying knives (and I mean a set of 6 knives, forks, spoons, not a flick knife) in TK Maxx. One of the best days of my life.

[CircleofWillis]

I'm in my mid 40's and still have to carry ID with me. When I had my toddler my health visitor invited me to join the local teen mother support group.

[Deidre21]

I'm 41 but most people think I'm in my late twenties. I used to find it slightly embarrassing. I remember working at a place where one woman wanted to introduce me to her son who was about 20, I was turning 30 the time I worked over there and mist people thought t was my 21st birthday. The lady was quite surprised (probably embarrassed too) but it was quite funny. Also I was married - she didn't know that but then realised. I think sometimes when people over think the way they look it probably makes you see something that most probably don't even see. I've never worried about getting older - it's just one of those things. I was annoyed when I was 21 I was asked for ID before entering a movie as well as a club. I was with my younger sisters at the time we were going in to a club abc I was the only one stopped! My sisters do also lol young for their ages but I was the only one who was stopped which annoyed me at the time. My husband does get slightly annoyed that people think I'm younger, and also much younger than him despite him being 8 months younger than me. It is to do with genes, but also about how you look after yourself. I don't drink much and have met girls much younger than myself who drink and smoke and look terrible as their skin looks like that of an older person which does also add to people thinking one is older. I've always gone the natural way with everything and I started getting the odd grey hairs strands when my daughter started school but I've not ever felt the need to go down the route of dyeing it I just don't feel that's me. I think you should not let looks affect you and just embrace getting older and appreciate being alive and healthy.

[mammamic]

impressed by the skill of those who can age people by year

what differentiates a 38 year old from, say, a 37 year old or a 39 year old?

[Deejoda]

I got IDed when buying paracetamol last year aged 30. I didnt even know there was an age limit for that! When I qualified as a Dr aged 24, all the elderly patients regularly asked if I was old enough to be working and kept calling me nurse! My mum is 60 and could easily pass for 40 and everyone thinks she is my sister. A little girl aged 5 found out I was married and was playing with my baby...she actually said 'but you aren't enough to be married' and was in stitches that I was that old!
Yep, I am Nigerian☺

[Deejoda]

Also I have a pretty good diet, dont wear makeup and avoid sunbathing so as other PPs have said, its genes and lifestyle factors

[Janetizzy30]

I get that, people don't believe I'm 30 and have 4 kids, they seem to think I'm 20, although I feel 90 (chronic illnesses) x