Friends of All Ages

I could have written Kristen's same response verbatim. Seriously, I'm 34, one of my closest friends will be 50 this year, I'm about 12-15 years older than almost all of my co-workers who are also some of my good friends. My older friend says that I'm one of the wisest people she's ever known, and I do catch myself telling some of my younger friends just how young they really are. I think it's good for you to have friends from all different ages &/or walks of life, it helps give you perspective!

I have friends much younger and much older than me and I get what you are saying. I always found it annoying if older friends would make comments on how I was so young. But now that I'm older (40) I found myself doing that every once in a while with some young friends. I think I am aware they are young and cute and I'm so much older! I kind of feel old around them - they remind me that I'm not so young anymore :) It's also bc in some ways I am amazed by 20-somethings living the married with kids/responsible lifestyle. This is bc I was the opposite. I was goofing off, doing grad school, working field work jobs in the middle of Alaska, hanging out with slacker friends, attending any live music I could and traveling to other countries any chance I could all through my 20s. Finally at age 30 we got married, bought a house and a couple years later got pregnant. When I see my friends who are in their mid 20s with a house and 3 kids and doing everything I am doing now, I guess I find it interesting at how they are doing life so differently, yet so well. :) I will have to remember not to make age comments bc I DO remember how annoying that is. I would never DREAM of making an age comment to one of my older friends. It would be so rude. Anyway, for me age differences in friends is not an issue..if you get along and have fun all hanging out together that is what matters. I am guessing if you kindly tell your older friend that it bothers you when they make "young pup" age comments that they will be embarrassed and will stop doing it.

I'm 34 and have friends in their 50's and friends in their early 20's. I think it's great to surround yourself with people of all different ages, experiences etc... It must be a lot of fun for you and your husband to be able to socialize with all different kinds of people/couples. I'm sure you get a lot of interesting perspectives.

I'm sure that when people call you young it's not meant to be an insult. I find myself doing it sometimes with my friends who are much younger. What I really mean is that they haven't developed the life experience I have at my age and they will, when it's time. I can remember thinking/doing the way they did at their age and now things are different for me because I've experienced more.

I think your idea of having a funny comeback is right on track! So glad you can see the comments for what they are, not as a dig at you guys. Have fun enjoying your friends!!!

If you enjoy their friendship otherwise, then this seems like a very small thing to endure. They are just enjoying your youth.

Yup, my husband and I are friends with a couple who we met through our daughters going to school together. They are at least 10 years older. They've become great friends. We don't let our age difference get in the way, and don't allow others to make a big deal of it either.

I've always felt my husband and I were more mature than most of our peers. We married at 22 and started a family at 24.

Feel flattered that the older friends enjoy your company. They may make these comments because they reflect back on when they were your age(s) and think about how it was.

You two are just independent and have accomplished the American Dream as it was a generation or two ago. Don't go beating yourselves up over it. Soon you guys will be the old folks on the block.

Enjoy and don't think about it. At least don't let it get under your feathers.

I used to always get carded younger and now still don't look my age. So it is just something in the water. Be happy and love each other. Oh by the way, congratulations on what you two have done. One day your friends the same age may get it together.

The other S.

PS I have friends that are different ages through different things I do, like hobbies, schooling and work.

I'm with you "girl" LOL! I'm 31 now and finally feel like a grown up and that other people see me that way as well. Hubby is 6 yrs older than me and we hang out with some of his friends and their spouses - which some are older than hubby (early 40s). They don't mention my age much but sometimes we'll be talking about age for whatever reason and they will say "Oh that's right, I forgot you are so young!" One of the couples that we are closest with, the wife is older, she is turning 40 this year. Sometimes when we chat, something will come up, like "remember that show?" or "remember that toy when we were little?" and I'm like "um no".
I would blow off their comments, they are not trying to be mean. Or say something to them - "If we're pups, are you greyhounds?" or "Yes! Thank goodness we are still in our 20s and not old yet!"

I don't think it is really an issue. They are just ribbing you guys for still being young. It probably makes them feel old. Two of my very best friends are in their 50's (I'm 36). We just fit together. Don't worry about it, before long the tables will turn and you will find yourself being the older ones in a group of younger people and you will probably say the same things.

It's an issue because you're self-conscious. People just say those things, I don't think they mean anything sincere by it. I had my first child at 22, which is young for where I live. I am in my mid-30's and all of my older kids' friends' parents are 10-20 years older than me. I have friends who are menopausal lol. They joke about my age all the time, how I'm just a baby, they can't believe how young I am, they make cultural references and assume that I don't get them because that was "before my time" etc. I am also good friends with another friends mother, who is the same age as my mom, and many of my friends from work are older than me too. I just laugh at the age comments and move on.

Maybe it's not a problem for them at all, maybe you could take it as a compliment. These people are probably thinking back to when they were in their 20s and realizing how much has changed in their lives since then. They are looking at you and seeing how much you have accomplished in such a short time.
One of my very good friends was 12 years older than me, but we had children the same ages, and we had dinner at her house and playdates during the day.
My husband is 8 years older than me, and we seem to have a hard time finding couples we both get along with. He was also the youngest in his office, managing people who were up to 20 years older than him. He was also called "young 'in" or "the kid," but when it came down to it, they repected his position and that he had earned it. Now he's re-enlisted in the military and he's the oldest by far, but you know what, he graduated top of his class in boot camp ahead of all the kids he thought would kick his butt on physical challenges. It just goes to show that age doesn't define your capabilities...
Be friends with these people if you enjoy their company, and realize that when they make those comments they are just thinking back to their younger (and probably immature) days.

Yep sure do. My hubby is 14 years older. Forever I was the baby, but now I have many friends younger than me and many older. Most of my closets firends are older than me however. Although when my son started school I agained many in my age bracket. But these days it is just as common to have older and younger parents all on the same bracket.

As for the comments, take it more lightly, it's all in good humor, and is just more that as we age we become more aware of that fact that we aren't young pups no more. Today is my 39th birthday, and believe my I am more and more aware that I am just not young anymore. Its good, thing to be young. Its like just one day I woke up and no longer was the baby everywhere I went.