Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask why some parents do this?

100 replies

bantuknots73 · 22/12/2021 13:55

Can I ask why some parents refer to their child's age in months? For example say if a friend, family member or even someone random asks how old your child is now and you reply saying, 'oh he/she is 28 months.'
Can I ask why?

When I was a teenager I never understood why people did this but thought I just didn't understand enough about having kids😂
But even now I seriously don't understand. Isn't it easier to say 'oh he/she just turned 2?' Please let me know!! It's seriously been bugging me since joining MN😂 I saw a comment recently where someone said their child is 37 months. I was so confused!

OP posts:
Orreries · 22/12/2021 14:24

@DustyMaiden

I’m 717 months.
And I bet your health visitor 717-month check found you were on target development-wise for your age. Grin
TheWayTheLightFalls · 22/12/2021 14:25

The one that puzzles me is why a mum was referring to her premature DC's age as his birthday being his due date.

Not sure I understand fully, but with preemies you do talk about corrected age.

Heckythump1 · 22/12/2021 14:42

@Simonjt

Once they’re two there really is no need, a colleague still refers to months (39 at the moment!), but then she still posts a monthly photo with a card saying how many months.
She's still do monthly photos at 39 months?! 3 years 3 months?! Grin

Crazy! Where does she even get the cards from? they stop at 12 months don't they?!

AnotherOneWithNoGoodName · 22/12/2021 14:42

Depends on context.
To a doctor the actual months will be relevant.
To a curious stranger on a bus etc, "just turned 2" is fine!

Lottle · 22/12/2021 14:48

@headtotoesno I agree! I could never keep track anyway!

hugr · 22/12/2021 14:50

@KirstenBlest

Don't worry about it bbut brush up on your 12 times table.

The one that puzzles me is why a mum was referring to her premature DC's age as his birthday being his due date.

It's easier to explain re the prematurity/development/size if you think of due date as "birthday".
KirstenBlest · 22/12/2021 14:59

Yes. I did sort of ask but she didn't explain very well and I didn't like to probe. Thanks. I did wonder if he'd always use both

Starcup · 22/12/2021 15:01

@Simonjt

Once they’re two there really is no need, a colleague still refers to months (39 at the moment!), but then she still posts a monthly photo with a card saying how many months.
I’d hide her from FB. I’m cringing for her 🤣
mutedrainbows · 22/12/2021 15:08

Like pp said I think it's relevant up to 2. A "1 year old" could be 12 months or 23 months and there is a massive difference, developmentally.

SpiceRat · 22/12/2021 15:15

You get used to referring to months it probably sticks but at some point you must lose count? My baby group is still doing weeks at 4 months I’ve definitely lost count of weeks 🙄

StationaryMagpie · 22/12/2021 15:15

i knew a significantly premie mum who was still using the adjusted age in reception/yr 1, but her daughter was born at something like 28wks and it did really impact on her development next to my DS who was the oldest in the year and born a couple of days before his due date.. something i had to remind a couple of friends with august babies when they were upset by how far 'behind' their kids were compared to him.

As for the months, i think up to 18mo is fine, and after that its time to get out of the habit of using it and into using 'nearly' 1.5, or 2 in a couple of months...etc.

Hemingwayscatz · 22/12/2021 15:17

It’s fine to use months until they turn two because there’s a huge difference between a 12 month old and a 23 month old so saying one is often too broad. After they turn 2 there’s very little difference so weird to still use months.

girlmom21 · 22/12/2021 15:18

I don't get it after 2. Trying to work out how old the 39 month old is in years hurt my brain Grin

Hankunamatata · 22/12/2021 15:20

I never used months post a year - another one who's brain melts trying to work it out

Itsmybaby · 22/12/2021 15:22

I’ll never forgot when DP introduced me to his DB and his family. I asked how old his daughter was and he replied ‘51 months’ Confused

StFrancisdeCompostela · 22/12/2021 15:22

I think beyond the age of about 2 it’s daft (unless you’re talking to a doctor, in which case it might be essential) but for under 2s it makes sense to me. A 13 month old is vastly different from a 23 month old but they’re both one.

Svara · 22/12/2021 15:23

I went up to 19 months, then 'two in (month)', 'just turned two', 'two and a half', 'three in (month), half years until five then just years.

Chasingaftermidnight · 22/12/2021 15:26

I thought it was bonkers until I had a child and now I understand why people do it. Not past two, really. But it’s because months make a huge difference to development.

The people who obstinately refer to their child’s age in years even when it causes confusion annoys me more. I remember one mum who told me her child was one and I was so puzzled - he was tall and walking very confidently and talking in quite advanced sentences. It turned out he was 20 months. Even ‘one and a half’ would have been clearer.

AD80 · 22/12/2021 15:28

Months can make a huge difference when little imo.

There is a huge difference between a just turned one year old that's 12 months, an 18 month old and a 23 month old! Both size wise and developmentally.

Similar at 2. Developmentally there's a huge difference between way a 24 month old than 35 months old when nearly 3.

developmentally months make a huge difference in the small years! Not so much once they hit 3/4/5. But even so my daughter is the youngest in her class and there's a huge difference but I don't use months for a 6 year old 😅

I tended to use 1 or 1.5 or nearly 2 for example rather than months.

Original poster
bantuknots73 · 22/12/2021 15:35

@SpiceRat

You get used to referring to months it probably sticks but at some point you must lose count? My baby group is still doing weeks at 4 months I’ve definitely lost count of weeks 🙄
😂 I think I counted up to 12 weeks then I was just like fuck this, this is so long!😂
OP posts:
Dindundundundeeer · 22/12/2021 15:41

I’m 596 months, don’t feel a month over 590.

Greensmoothie1 · 22/12/2021 15:47

I think it should be up to 18 months old and then after that just refer to the child as 2 1/2, 3, 3 1/2 etc.

KirstenBlest · 22/12/2021 15:54

I'm 5 and a half and don't feel a decade over 3

RavingAnnie · 22/12/2021 15:57

It get ridiculous after age 2 as you have to do an age conversion calculation in your head.

They say "26 months" I think so just over 2 then. It would be easier for everyone if they just says "just over 2 in the first place"!

toomuchlaundry · 22/12/2021 16:00

Clothes also come in months sizes at that age