Younger man Opinions please

[Totallyflattered]

I (39f) am have been asked out by a 22 yr old man. I wondered what people think.
To preempt any questions. He has a good job, lives alone, and supports himself. He has no children and is quite mature for his age. We are both single and he is aware of my children and general circumstances. We have known each other for about 3 years.
I have never dated anyone so much younger than myself and although I am attracted to him it does feel like uncharted territory for me.
So what do mumsnetters think?

Go with your gut.

I've been in a long-distance relationship for 16 years with a man 22 years younger.

It suits us both (we are both single parents).

There's only a 2 year smaller gap between me and DP, but because he's the older one it's never even been questioned. You're both adults, if it's what you both want why not!

I'm the same age as you and cannot imagine being attracted to a 22 year old. But if it feels ok to you, I suppose no harm in seeing where it goes, with limited expectations.

Go for it girl. You have nothing to lose

Thanks for responding everyone…
@Ginger1982 I couldn’t have imagined it either, he is a good looking guy and it was a bolt from the blue
@Crystalvas love that attitude. That’s my thinking but I’m aware people will think it’s weird

@Totallyflattered

Thanks for responding everyone… *@Ginger1982* I couldn’t have imagined it either, he is a good looking guy and it was a bolt from the blue *@Crystalvas* love that attitude. That’s my thinking but I’m aware people will think it’s weird

People will just have to get over themselves.

hmmm. This all depends on your self esteem really. I had a long term relationship with someone younger and I found it really hard and although I was super confident to begin with it chipped away at me if I'm honest. Meeting his friends, family - I always felt judged - there were always people with veiled comments - as time went on the age felt like too big a thing. Unless your head over heels I'd skip it tbh.

As long as you go into it with your eyes open then what is there to lose. He has a lot of growing to do and when I went out with someone younger once, I found we didn’t have much in common once the lust stage wore off.

A lot of 20/30 year old men are genuinely interested in older women because they don't want to get married or have babies.

It will depend a lot on his personality tbh. My DS is 22 and very much still a big kid in a lot of ways. I’m older than you though so the gap would be even bigger in my case. I guess a 30 year old wouldn’t seem out of the question to me, but it’s not so much the gap as his age that would bother me. Any man under 25 just looks like a boy to me!

I’m not expecting anything lasting…my eyes are definitely open. I’ve found it super flattering to even to be considered desirable by someone so much younger. But that said there is an attraction. These comments are very helpful to me. Thank you all

Do you see it as a fun fling or are you after something long term and meaningful?

You'll be menopausal and on the cusp of 50 in ten years. He'll be in his prime.

If you aren't invested then go for it. But I personally wouldn't waste my time.

@partytime50 I am not looking for anything. I’m at a point in my life and childrens lives where a relationship wasn’t on the horizon.
If it turns out to be a ‘fling’ that lasts a few months I’m happy….can’t imagine it would turn into something else. I’m well aware of the milf/cougar fantasy too. I’m more worried that people will think I groomed him or I’m a predator so something like that. Im aware the menopause is approaching and we would be at totally different times in our lives always

I've got a younger one too and he's lush. Enjoy the moment, don't think back or beyond.

How old are your kids?

@Summerhillsquare be interested in hearing the age gap and how it is (if you don’t mind sharing)
@user1471504747 they are 13 & 17

I wouldn’t be keen on someone only 5 years older than my eldest now you have mentioned that to be honest. Up to you though. It’s your life not mine or anyone else’s.

9 years. We have some similar interests but respect for each others differences as well. It was super casual to start, and I do think my appeal to a younger man was that I was 'safe' ie didn't wanted marriage/cohabitation and kids, and was/am happy ploughing my own furrow.

" I’m more worried that people will think I groomed him or I’m a predator so something like that", this alone would surely be a massive turn off? I never understood the big age gap. The younger one with mummy or daddy issues, what are the older person's "issues"? And as a pp said, meeting family and friends would be uncomfortable. I can't imagine the discomfort of someone mistaking my partner for my father or son.

I would say enjoy a fling as long as you have no expectations of ‘happy ever after’. If that happens it’s a bonus!

Possible danger of his wanting children etc as he gets older, but if you think you are strong enough to deal with that down the line then go for it… and enjoy!

Enjoy the moment and shag the arse off him

I'm jealous. I love a younger man but never get to meet any now I'm a single mum.

I wouldn't be able to as I'm younger than you and have an 19 year old son. He's a baby to me. I can see how you would find him attractive but I think there's too much of a gap in your stages of life. Maybe you could make it work though if you really like each other. I do like younger guys in general and am married to one but not that big a gap as yours.

@CrumpetStrumpet we think alike 😉

@CrumpetStrumpet also I’m a single mum and it just happened to me….it will be my first shag in ages

You're both adults. Totally OK in my book and no one else's business. Attraction has nothing to do with age and plenty to do with a connection. If you click, you click. Sounds fab to me.