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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be saying I’m 40 already

37 replies

360whatdoyoumeab · 30/12/2025 00:15

my birthday is late July but I’ve been saying I’m 40 already as this is the year I will be turning it

OP posts:
Kyffin · 30/12/2025 00:18

So you're not 40 until July 2026 but in December 2025 you are claiming to be 40 already?
You do you but if you're asking if you're being unreasonable, I think you are.
Seems a bit of a pointless post though?

XenoBitch · 30/12/2025 00:18

Weird. Do you do this with other ages too?

ArseSkinForAFriend · 30/12/2025 00:19

Bit odd but if it makes you happy 🤷‍♂️

PinkArt · 30/12/2025 00:20

Say whatever makes you happy, but that's not how birthdays work 😂
I've got an early January birthday and even then this wouldn't cross my mind as something I'd ever do.

AnneLovesGilbert · 30/12/2025 00:20

Odd. Why?

Shinyandnew1 · 30/12/2025 00:21

No, that is odd. You aren't that age yet, so why say you are?

Eenameenadeeka · 30/12/2025 00:21

Yeah that's odd.. can't you just say almost 40

sleepylittlebunnies · 30/12/2025 00:23

In my head I start thinking, I’m nearly say 40 when my birthday will be soon, but I don’t actually say it. Be careful though, as one year I must have convinced myself I was that age, and then went and added another year on, on my birthday 😂. It was a while after that I realised that I had aged myself.

XenoBitch · 30/12/2025 00:25

sleepylittlebunnies · 30/12/2025 00:23

In my head I start thinking, I’m nearly say 40 when my birthday will be soon, but I don’t actually say it. Be careful though, as one year I must have convinced myself I was that age, and then went and added another year on, on my birthday 😂. It was a while after that I realised that I had aged myself.

I had a friend who was turning 60, so of course all the cards she had had 60 on. She later slunk back and admitted she got her age wrong, and she was actually 61 😄

ForFunGoose · 30/12/2025 00:27

Oh yikes’
It’s very unnecessary and childish imo

sleepylittlebunnies · 30/12/2025 00:29

@XenoBitch thats great 😂. Great way to have two big birthdays close together.

TheDandyLion · 30/12/2025 00:30

How many times do you actually get asked how old you are?

shhblackbag · 30/12/2025 00:32

Weird. Why? You're not even that close yet.

Cara707 · 30/12/2025 00:33

I'm sure nobody will care BUT why not enjoy the last half year of your thirties?

HeddaGarbled · 30/12/2025 00:33

Bonkers

therewasafishinthepercolator · 30/12/2025 00:34

Just say nearly 40.

I always seem to put myself a year ahead. I think what happens is I think - and tell people when asked - I'm nearly 47. I'm nearly 47.

So then I have 47 in my head and I start thinking and telling people I'm 47. When it gets near my birthday i think Aha! I'm turning 48. I'm never entirely sure.

DH and DC have to keep me right. 😳

To be clear, in my case, its confuddlement and stupidity, not intentional.

DappledThings · 30/12/2025 00:35

There was a thread here a few years ago from someone who did this with her DC. So if they were turning 12 and 9 in February and August 2026 she would start saying they were 12 and 9 from New Year's Day.

Utterly bizarre. For both her and OP.

Safxxx · 30/12/2025 00:35

So you're mentally preparing yourself for turning 40 ...just enjoy being 39 for god's sake. My birthday is next week and I shall wait till then.

ACynicalDad · 30/12/2025 00:37

Maybe say you’re in your fortieth year. You are not 40.

latetothefisting · 30/12/2025 00:47

Weird.
How much more effort is it to add "nearly"?

Although tbh how many people regularly ask your age as an adult anyway? Can't remember the last time someone asked me!

FruitFlyPie · 30/12/2025 00:50

I'm opposite OP, I'm turning 40 next week and I still consider myself 39 if not 38.

HolidayPlanningAgain · 30/12/2025 00:52

I can never quite remember what my age is… I know within a year or so… i have to do a slight pause.. work out the year and the month to work it out! Beyond 30 who really keeps an accurate track?!

IvyNeighbour · 30/12/2025 00:52

This is one of my pet peeves, you're not 40 you're 39. Even worse is I'll be ... this/next year, don't make me do maths just tell me how old you are (not that I ever ask but rounder uppers seem to mention their age a lot).

Nickyknackered · 30/12/2025 00:53

XenoBitch · 30/12/2025 00:25

I had a friend who was turning 60, so of course all the cards she had had 60 on. She later slunk back and admitted she got her age wrong, and she was actually 61 😄

Show quote history

Did no one remember that she'd celebrated her 60th the year before?

XenoBitch · 30/12/2025 00:54

Nickyknackered · 30/12/2025 00:53

Did no one remember that she'd celebrated her 60th the year before?

Show quote history

Not me, as I had not known her that long.
I think they all forgot too. She never made a big deal about birthdays anyway.