Too big an age gap??

[muffins]

Just started seeing this guy I met at work, he's 40, I'm 24. He is old enough to be my father
It's ridiculous to worry about the age gap, it's all the other stuff that matters right???????

He's not old enough to be your father. No 16 year old is old enough to be a father.

I expect you're an old soul. Anyway, if you don't go, you'll never know!

if it bothers you, then it is a potential problem.

If it doesn't bother you then it isn't.

Age is all relative anyway.

Enjoy it while it lasts. It might last a long time, it might only last a few weeks - if the latter, that doesn;t stop it being good and valid (as long as it ends amicably and doesn't involve anyone in pain or distress).

My DP is 48, and I am 25. We are having problems atm, but they are not age-gap related ones as far as I know. I think it's perfectly possible, but it helps if you have your own life and identity before you get involved. You don't want to start behaving like you're 40, and he probably doesn't want to be 24 again. So long as you each respect the place you are each at in life, I don't see why it shouldn't work. It rally depends on whether you are compatible in general
Good luck!

Thanks guys I think I'm just being stupid. Had somewhat of a man drought for ooh, 2 years, and then I moan when one finally comes along....somebody give me a slap!
Cheerfulvicky-how were your parents about you seeing someone older?

no problem in my eyes- when I was 21 my BF was almost 35- we lasted nearly 5 years- I was actually more mature in some ways!
Age is irrelevant-it's how you get on that counts.

I met my dh when I was 18, he was 30. We have been together for 19 years. We are currently having problems and I feel the age gap is one of the reasons. We seem to want different things now, he is 50 this year! Looking back we used to have more fun in the old days, when he used to be my best friend. We don't even want to talk about the same things anymore and only seem to have our kids in common. My parents were fine with the age gap when we met and he does get on well with them!

Having said all that - you might be lucky!

as you get older age isnt such a problem

one of my friends has 17 years bewteen her ad her dh

when they met she was 17 and he was 34 - which seemed wrong a man in his 30's wanting a teeneger

but 13 years later they are still happily together, been married for 8 years

though have to say her dh now 47 is a bit of an old fart/fuddy duddybut THEY are happy and thats the only thing that counts

you also have to decide if this is going to be long term thing, does he have any kids, does he want more if yes, does he want to be a father at nearly 50 if you leave it a few years after you get together

if you and him are happy,then age shouldnt matter,but part of me thinks you do have a problem with it, or you wouldnt have asked

Muffins, my mum was fine with the age difference. My first boyfriend was about 5 or 6 years older than me (24 to my 18, I think) so I sort of set a trend I've always gone for older men, so she wasn't too shocked. My Dad isn't in the picture and never has been, which ironically is probably why I LIKE older blokes Bit of father figure stuff going on there, I expect. Actually, I feel I have that out of my system now - if I ever did date anyone else, I don't think their age would be a factor, (older used to = better, nicer etc) and I'd probably end up with someone a bit closer to my age.

In my experience, age gaps work on a sliding scale for most people, with the bigger the gap, the more eyebrows raised. But such a relationship can still work if both people are committed and good at communicating. Areas of similarity are probably more important than they would be in other relationships, otherwise you can end up feeling that you're each on different planets, having had totally different kinds of life experience, and that can feel quite lonely.
Good luck!

I wouldn't say no if my BF asked me out (he won't - he's married ROFL!) but he's 37 (I'm 26).

If you get on, it's not an issue

Twenty years between me and dh, met him when I was 24. Ten years and four dcs later can't say the age gap has ever bothered me!

It depends on what kind of crumbly he is! Dh is 16 years older than me with grown-up children and our 2 under 5s. I don't think the age gap matters unless it matters to you. Some men are fat and bald and middle aged by their late 20s. Some are not!