A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

bluegrl24ny Posted: Apr 25, 2005 11:09 AM

A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

So I can't help but wonder how many other women go through this same annoying thing where people assume you are younger than you really are, and give you dirty looks or attitude bc of it? I'm not having a good time with this lately - just in the last three days I've had a Walgreens cashier give me a nasty look while ringing up my HPT and yesterday someone was going door to door asking for VFW donations - when I answered the door, he asked me if my parents were home!!! I just can't help but wonder what it's going to be like once I'm pregnant and it starts to show, so I'm curious to hear about anyone else's experiences with this? Just trying to prep myself because I really look about 16 years old and I know once I'm preggo I'm going to get a lot of negative attention because of it. I know it shouldn't matter, but it's hard to let things like that slide sometimes, esp when people are really rude about it. Can you share your experiences, stories, etc. if this is something that happens to you too? TIA!

kptoys Posted: Apr 25, 2005 11:14 AM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

I was 22 when I got pregnant with Emma. I didnt look a day over 18... I still got carded for things like cigs (for my old boss, I dont smoke) and lottery tickets. There was this one person in a deli that said OMG your pregnant? How old are you? I said 23 and he said Wow, your young. I said Im not THAT young and its just how I wanted it to be. I wont have to be huffing and puffing chasing my kids down with a walker. he shut up after that

bluegrl24ny Posted: Apr 25, 2005 11:22 AM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

yep - this is what I know is going to happen to me once I'm preggo too! It just bothers me that complete strangers see nothing wrong with telling you 'you're too young ....' without even knowing you at all.. Oh well- I guess just putting these rudey-roos in their place is all you can do! Thanks!

lorsin Posted: Apr 25, 2005 11:23 AM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

Depending on how I'm dressed I can look anywhere from 15 to 40...lol (I'm 29).

I do notice that when I buy HPTs there is a subtle glance at my left ring finger. If I'm wearing my ring it's like everything is okay, but if I'm not wearing it I get these pitying looks!!

I just let people think what they think - I know how old I am and what I'm doing with my life.

They obviously don't have enough going on in their's to worry about mine!!

jantany26 Posted: Apr 25, 2005 11:26 AM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

I can totally relate althought I was 27 when I had Alia.
Screw them, it's none of their business anyways.
Just think that if you have a daughter, people will think it's your sister.

antoinette Posted: Apr 25, 2005 12:52 PM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

I am 26 now and preggo but nobody thinks that I am too young for some reason I never get that vibe and I thought I totally would.

MrsTC Posted: Apr 25, 2005 03:25 PM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

Posted by lorsin

I do notice that when I buy HPTs there is a subtle glance at my left ring finger.

YES! same here. I look like a teenager most of the time.

sassy2611 Posted: Apr 25, 2005 06:14 PM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

I look young and so does my DH. People who don't know me ask if it was planned and are we sure we are readdy for a child. I get annoyed at time because i am 24 and DH is 25 and even when i tell them how old we are they still think we are too young. I don't want a baby when i am 45, i want a life after children.

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 25, 2005 06:42 PM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

I've heard from SO many people (esp. family) to wait...I'm 27 and DH is 28 and we're married a year already. We ARE ready!!

I DO look young, I don't wear much makeup and my choice of clothing is usually jeans and a knit shirt of some type. My face is also round which I guess adds to the 'young' phenomenon

LisaT Posted: Apr 25, 2005 08:17 PM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

I was told I look 18 twice this past weekend (I'm 30). It annoys me on a professional level, in that people think I'm too young to take seriously, not a mom level (yet )

MamanDaddyof2 Posted: Apr 25, 2005 11:24 PM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

I had my first child at 17 and I got a lot of stares and I had my 2nd at 22 and still got stares ...I am 26 now and people ask me if my children are my siblings (I look like I am 16 or 18) but I try and think of it like when I am 50 maybe I will look 30

what else can you do?

AJsMommy122 Posted: Apr 26, 2005 06:21 AM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

I got pregnant with my son when I was 18 ( and I looked MAYBE 16) I am sure I got PLENTY of looks but to be honest I never really noticed. I think its great that I am a young mom & dont really care if someone thinks different.

Niecey Posted: Apr 26, 2005 07:09 AM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

Posted by LisaT

I was told I look 18 twice this past weekend (I'm 30). It annoys me on a professional level, in that people think I'm too young to take seriously...

You sound like me ... and I am 32.

I know people would stare at my ring finger too. It gets worse when your weddings rings dson't fit anymore - lol...Now with the baby people never assume the baby is mine when I meet them for the first time - I swear they think I am the babysitter/nanny. I always try to remember to wear my wedding ring when I take him for walks or to stores just makes me feel a little more secure from the questionable stares for some reason.

chichila15 Posted: Apr 26, 2005 09:12 AM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

People are SOOO stupid sometimes. The worst part is that back when our parents had us, it was in the norm for women to have children much younger... if anything, all of us are too OLD having children in our mid/late 20s! I hate people, sometimes...

bluegrl24ny Posted: Apr 26, 2005 09:22 AM

Re: A question for young moms (or those who look much younger)

thanks ladies - it's comforting hearing all your feedback about this! I look soooo young, and it's really hard for me to ignore the annoying stares and even more insulting 'are you sure you're ready' questions from people who don't even know me! I didn't think about work in this question, but I realize that I'm not taken as seriously as some of my co-workers who are the same age, becasue I look so much younger. I alwasy feel like I have to work twice as hard to get that confidence and respect that other people don't even think twice about bc they're my age and look like they're in their 30's already! Oh well, DH and I are testing again on Friday bc I think I missed AF, so I may or may not be preggo..... This is all good to know just in case! I just wish that other people could mind their own business a little more - with everything else that's going to be happening if I'm preggo, I wish I didn't have to worry about snotty looks from strangers on top everything else!!