What to do when you're 30

[Lisav]

This is carrying on from the 'age' discussion. I will be 30 in just under 3 months and am not looking forward to it. So how did you all celebrate being 30 and how did you cope with the loss of your twenties? For those who have yet to reach this stage, how would you celebrate being 30 and what thoughts do you have on it? What are the best and worst things about being 30?

I need some positive thoughts here!

Lisav, I have been thoroughly depressed reading the other thread on 'age', since I seem to be one of the few older mums posting here. The only positive thought I can offer you, is that you'll never be as old as me!

Hi Lisav - I'm going to be 30 next year and I'm going to have a big 'p*-up' of a party!!Something for the adults and the kiddies, a great big riotous affair (so obviously will be inviting the neighbours!) Haven't thought about how I'm going to fund this extravaganza, but hey, I'm still a reckless twentysomething, so I'll worry about that nearer the time. It doesn't really bother me reaching the big 30, as I've felt about 80 anyway for the past 5 years since kiddy no.1 was born. Infact, I'm looking forward to it as it's a good excuse to party!! And afterall, what does it matter how old you are, it's how you feel inside that matters!!!

I loved being thirty - I think I suddenly felt grown up enough to begin acting like a kid again - and since I didn't have a husband or kids I felt free to do so :-). My only problem was that it made me realise that the biological clock was begining to tick - and that got worse and worse every year until dd arrived. I guess if you already have kids then it will be a very different expeience. I'm saving the big party for 40 or maybe even 50.

Mooma- I'm sure you are ageing like a fine wine. Don't feel down because you're older and wiser than the majority. We're just shallow saplings with much to learn!

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Scummymummy you just made my day!

Lisav, it's a while since we both hit the big 30 and for that we organised a meal for friends at a lovely restaurant on the Kent Coast. We all met up at Victoria Station, had balloons, champagne etc, and took over a carriage on the train for a party there and back.
For the big 40, looming, I'm hiring a Youth Hostel in the depths of the countryside for a surprise weekend party for my husband. Most of the friends who got to the 30th will be able to make it and this time there will be seven little boys and two little girls joining the party. That is the REALLY great thing about your thirties. So many nice things relating to family and career can and do happen. Embrace it with enthusiasm and party like it's 1999. Without any effort you will feel wiser and able to keep life more in perspective. I did, anyway. And Robinw is SOOO right about the sexual prime thing, BTW.
Bad side: not being able to drink as much and stay up all night. Not that much of a sacrifice in the end, is it Mooma? Think St Emilion instead of Cava!

Lisav, birthday's are a celebration of ourselves really. We are celebrating our conception, birth and the fact that we have safely made it through another year. Don't think too much about the age thing just enjoy every moment of your special day.

I agree with Bugsy. I'll be 30 next October and am not really bothered about it. However, me & dh are planning a weekend away in Rome to celebrate (he turns 30 in June), leaving dd with my parents! Although I'm not that bothered I can always muster the energy to have lots of fun and drink vast amounts!

I was between boyfriends and heartbroken when I turned 30. I couldn't bear to be anywhere near darling ex, so a good friend and I booked a weekend in Amsterdam, went out lots .... and sort of found we forgot what happened for huge chunks of the time. Rather nice.

The break up and hitting 30 combined meant I began to feel that I needed to find a long term partner PDQ. It was the first time in my life that I began to feel old. Sad but true.

I didn't celebrate my 40th at all. I would have liked a surprise party but I didn't get one (sigh!). I have a mental stumbling block about organising my own birthday get togethers, but love going to others.

For my 30th birthday, I was staying at my mum's. Had 5 best friends round, all tarted up ready for a night out. For the pre going out drinks we had some cheap Champagne. When the cork popped my mum's dog bolted out of the house with fright. My mum was so upset none of my friends thought we should leave her! I spent my 30th traipsing round frosty streets looking for a dog!

Tinker - hope you've made up for it since!

Wow, lots of ideas here! Unfortunately I can't afford a weekend anywhere and babysitters are thin on the ground. Dh is not the most romantic of men and so I shan't be holding my breath for any surprises. I'll just have to organise something myself. At least it can't be worse than yours Tinker!

Lisav - it didn't make a lot of difference to me. It sounds corny but 'it is just a number'. I think I focused on the positive aspects of 'reaching an age of wisdom'. In many ways getting older means (for me) being happier, more settled, more confident, more knowledgeable and my 30s has led to having child(ren).

I celebrated with my twin and we went out for a lovely long lunch. We were both very skint so just came back to my house - fortunatley it was a lovely summers day and drank lots of sparkling wine. We actually had a better celebration on our 31st with a big party. I think if I were to do it again I'd decide to do something that I've always wanted to do - you know like bungee jumping for example (not that I personally want to do that!) I'll maybe save that for my 40th. Trouble is I can't think of anything at the moment - I am too easily pleased I guess!

Hope you have a great time whatever you do.

Mooma - see my comments above - age is not something negative. I constantly look up to my husband who is 20 years older than me and he has taught me a lot. We tend to automatically think youth is 'good' in our society. Not necessarily so.

I spent my 30th birthday being 6 months pregnant! No big party for me! Plus my birthday is 29/12 so everyone is usually just getting over Xmas and gearing up for New Years!

Now my 33rd birthday is looming, just over a month away and I like it less and less...not so much the "age" thing as the number itself. I have to say I don't really miss my twenties (and I definitely don't miss my teens!) There's a bit I miss occasionally, like the freedom be spontaneous about some things for example, but on the whole I feel I am a more balanced person now, less selfish, more grounded. But somehow society makes us feel that as we age we are less attractive, less desirable...being a "mum" is not sexy (and most days I'd have to agree!) I find myself looking for those wrinkles and grey hairs...and not having to look quite so hard anymore!

I think in light of recent world events we should embrace our birthdays as a significant milestone - we're still here!!! Spend it however it makes you feel best about being you, whether that is with loved ones, on holiday, or having a few hours to yourself (eg in a bubble bath with a lovely oil burner, glass of wine and a good book! Ahh my idea of bliss! Unfortunately I'm lucky if I can even get a 10 minute uninterrupted shower...)

However you celebrate - enjoy!

I had my 30th exactly one week ago today! Having a twelve week old son, I could not face organising a party and so ten of us (plus baby!) went for a Thai meal (ds slept all the way through in his pram) and then came back home for champagne, cake and dancing! I had a really good time but a very bad head on the Sunday! So enjoy yourself whatever you do and remember you're only one day older than when you were 29 - it's all a state of mind!

Eulalia, I appreciate your comments, and generally I don't get too down about the passing years. What upsets me is that other people make assumptions about you when they hear your age. It's the paradox of still feeling young at heart (especially now I spend a lot of time with my teenagers & their friends) and yet appearing quite mature to the rest of the world! I find greying hair and wrinkles quite unamusing!!
Also, I think one feels differently about age when one hasn't yet reached a particular milestone. I think people in their 60's seem very youthful, but I might not feel the same when I get there! My point is, as with most things, you don't really know how something feels until you experience it, and we all react in different ways.

Wish I could remember!! Have just spent at least ten minutes on this one racking my brain - it was over 13 years ago! I am with Mooma on this one! Did have a lovely big bash for my 40th though.

I had a man throwing cocktails in the garden. All our friends came round to drink Long Island Ice Tea and marguaritas etc.. A local thai restaurant produced canapes hot off the motorbike. The babe slept through all events. It would have been better had dh done some organisation.. I did the lot and even sent invites to all his mates. Oh well.. it was a good party.