Has having children aged you....

[mum2sam]

Lately ive been looking in the mirror and trying to work out whats different about me. My hair looks worse then normal, my skin looks dull and tired and although im slimmer then pre-pregnancy everything seems to be going south. Ive got loads of those bloody thread veins too to add to my stretchmarks. Its just crept upon me im looking older.I look like im constantly frowning as my eyes look are so heavy and dark.These sleepless nights are starting to take its toll.Ive just gone and brough every anti wrinkle, firming cream going in a panic.

Yes but I still look a lot younger than Lizzie Bardsley even though I am two years older.

Definately. But would I have looked like this without children? Who knows.
Handlemewithcare, I too realised that my hair is awful and I too am going to Toni & Guy on Saturday. A bit worried they'll laugh me out of the door saying 'beyond repair' though !!!
Bags under the eyes are hereditery I was told recently (along with dry skin on your feet - which I also seem to have developed this winter). I need a decent haircut and some good quality self tan to loose the pasty grey face. Not so worried about the grey hair. I like a bit of character. The wrinkles are definately beyond repair.
Nevermind, I feel like I've paid the price for having 3 children and still want more so it can't be that bad.

I meant Handlemecarefully not handlemewithcare - another sign of aging perhaps !!!

Look 400, feel 4000 but am only 36. A gay friend asked me recently if I had been painting as I had so much white in my hair.... pointed out that it was grey and made bionic appointment at the hairdresser's for some highlights!!! Am immmersing myself in 8 hour cream etc to try to halt the tide.

I would probably have looked old without DD though. My family seems to show their age in their faces. Would rather have DD and be old bag than not though of course.

Mum2sam, are you my twin sister. I sound just like you. 3 years ago i had no.4 and 2 years ago no.5 I was looking at pre no.4 photos the other day, and next day i went upstairs and threw out half my clothes, which i have had since before no.4. Then i went to town and spent £150 on credit card on clothes and wrinkle cream and self tan cream. I never, never use cred card for frivolities but considered this essential at the time.I am also trying to drink more water, give up smoking- just phoned local stop smoking group today. I also think it would help if i could get over my fear of hairdressers as i have cut my own hair for the last 20 years and it shows. It was my mums fault, she made me have my hair cut short when i was 4, and after seeing what the hairdresser did to my sisters hair, i took off out of the shop and ran down the road with mum, hairdresser, scissors in hand and assistant running after me. It was like a scene out of The Gingerbread Man. I was traumatised for life.

Ive packed the fags in too strange isnt that after all these years of smoking im more worried about them aging me rather then them killing me shameful Ive also started drinking more water to cure my dry yet still spotty skin. Does drinking water actually help? Its causing me more sleepless nights then ds Ive also noticed the grey hairs not sure to go for more highlights or to dye it completely.Maybe i should apply for 10 years younger so i could look 15 again

Depressed by the fat wibwobble belly, tits bigger/saggier, need to lose 10 kilos, apart from that not too bad! I'm sure I'd have generally declined without the offspring ( dd3 ds 9 months ).....have seen same age, no kids mates get the old middle aged spread, which gives me hope:)

Another tummy here that won't see the sunshine again. 3 kids in 3 years. My only consolation, chocolate.

yep, it has .. think bit's of annoying things i see in my mum creeping into me!!! help!!
No interest in current fashion .. just wear the same few pairs of jeans and tops. Will change to same few skirts and summer tops in the summer .. practical, practical, practical :S

Does anyone´s tummy look like a bum since they had a baby, ie divided into 2? This is a big shock to me!

okay..I could just echo all of what I'd read cause I too have aged considerably since having my two dds. But to move it all onto a positive note...has anybody found ANYTHING that works??? I've just bought some of that horrendously expensive Roc stuff that's supposed to remove wrinkles and bags...I'll let you know...

Most definately. I noticed today that I have a permanent scowl, I've go those furrows between the brows that are ingrained. Think ts from all those looks you give just before they are about to do something they shouldn't IYKWIM.

But I do have laughter lines aswell from all the smiling and laughing, you know the yogi bear type of laughter lines which are permanently there too

Im giving the early nights and drinking loads of water a try at the moment and slapping on the moisturiser.

As my friend says they (kids) ruin your body..ruin your life and make you poor. ME ?..thing they do age you i s'pose. Knacker you thats for sure. But people without kids are self centred IMHO and too damm well off for their own good. Have to say though have kept really fit with exercise since having kids and am slimmer now than before. They sure do raise your blood pressure though and make you poor and tired. But still glad i had them .

I remember watching a programme years ago about having children and aging. Apparentely you actually do age faster after you've had children, something to do with keeping the human race evolving or something like that.

Personally I have aged hugely. My hair needs colouring atm and i've been horrified by how many grey hairs I have. Literally hundreds..

Yes going a bit grey at the temples so buy the hair dye every six weeks and trying hard to defy gravity. Without my make up in the morning now i do look scary ! ! !