Do you ever feel discriminated as a Mom because of your age?

K. - posted on 08/10/2010

Very well said Alicia Anne Ireland!!

Sarah - posted on 08/10/2010

I feel the same way. Im 24 and engaged. I have a college degree and own my own house and nice car. But yet I see people looking at me like what are you doing. I look young too! Im a great mom and my son has everything he needs. I love being a young mom

Julie - posted on 08/10/2010

I used to feel like that. I had my first child when I was 19. But now I am pushing 28 (sigh*) and have 4 kids. My younger kids have parents close to the same age as me, so I feel more among my peers, while my older kids' parents have figured out that I am a good mom and we have a very nice normal family. I wasn't ever a statistic either. My husband has worked his butt off for 8 years and I have been a SAHM since they day our oldest was born.

Try not to let it get to you. It will get better!

Dawn - posted on 08/10/2010

I am 27, and apparently I look 16. haha. I get comments from people all the time. And, to make it worse, I have a 9 year old who looks 12. She's 5 foot tall! People always ask her if I am her sister! She hates it, but, I joke with her and ask her if she would rather I look like her sister or her grandma. Even when I am just with my 20 month old people ask if he is mine. Inside I'm thinking, "Really?? I don't look old enough to have an INFANT?? I'm almost 30!!" But, outside, I just smile and say "yes" At least I'm not wrinkly..lol It will get better as your son starts making close friends and their moms are given a chance to get to know you. You gotta love women though, we always have our opinions, especially about each other!!

Casey - posted on 08/10/2010

You are not alone. I feel like that at my two oldest kids school. They don't know who I am or anythng but they feel they can judge me cuz I'm raising 3 kids by myself. I am not looking for a pitty party just someone to bounce ideas off of and see if they are have the same problems that my kids are having but since my kids were the new ones they don't want anything to do with me or my kids.

Brittany - posted on 08/10/2010

I just turned 25 in March and I have three children ages 6, 4, and 3. Me and my hubs have been happily married for almost 5years and together for about 8. We also pay for everything with no help what so ever. So I feel your pain, it's rather annyoing right? I've learned just 2 live with it and ignore them, people like that are not worth me nor you wasting are time on. And the sad thing is we are probable doing better than all those old fart parents=-) Keep your chin up. You're not the only one.

Tamara - posted on 08/10/2010

Try a different play group. I did and found the second one I went to was so much warm and friendly than the first.

Megan - posted on 08/10/2010

I am 24 and I feel the same way. I always make sure that I have my rings on if I am going anywhere without my fiancee as I see the looks that people give me.
It really doesn't bother me and actually makes me laugh because I know I am not 16 (even tho I look it) and I know that my daughter has everything that she needs! At 2 years old she is smart, articulate and listens well.
I too am very happy that when she graduates from high school I will be 39 and still be able to have fun and enjoy my life. I know that she will also like having a young mom!!!

Summer - posted on 05/14/2010

yes i am 22 married for almost 3 years i had my son when i was 19 and i feel that i cant walk into the wic office or go shopping w/both my kids unless my husbands there or people look at me funny or look at me like im pathetic or something, i know im not perfect but i also know im not a bad mom at all and those who are young single parents should not be judged as being bad parents or even looked at in that manner. i try to ignore it but it is hard but there's nothing you can do really. if you know your a good parent thats all that matters.

Christine - posted on 05/13/2010

i had this.my mother in law kept saying that we as in me and her should take my son to a play group i was all for the idea.we went and i asked questions etc and they kept telling my mil all about it the fees what they do etc NOT ME.i really felt like the third wheel.i let it go and we took him the next day.no one at the place talked to me they all talked to my mil and ignored me.i hated it so much but i stayed so my son could play.i was 21 at the time but i too look like im16 lol

Christina - posted on 05/11/2010

I am 22 and have a 1 1/2 year old child. I recently took her to a toddler story time at a local library. I arrived just on time and could barely find a place to sit with my child. Upon feeling out the environment I felt like all the other moms and fathers looked on at me with a blank smile. It was an odd feeling. After wards, none of them looked or said a word to me or my daughter even though I stayed after with my child. They all seemed to know each other and were conversing about getting together for play dates. Age wise, I assume most of them were in their 30s and were established in their own skin as parents, what I mean is that they planned their children and are confident in themselves and their skills. I honestly am not! I know I sound naive but is it that just because I am new to the story time that they all are unsure of me or is it that they see me as a younger person with a child and are cautious? Lastly and most importantly, is it best for me to try to go to this toddler story time again? After all, even if I am bugged by the situation it doesn't mean I should spoil the interaction for my toddler.

Jessica - posted on 05/11/2010

i was a mom at 16 now i am 20 and just had my 2nd i;m happily married and also look like i'm 16 and alot of people look at me like i should have 2 kids

Alicia Anne - posted on 05/11/2010

I know EXACTLY how you feel! I'm 23 and happily married with an 8 month old daughter. My husband and I are well off, and not in need. We pay high taxes, contribute to society and attend church. Yet, I constantly have people saying 'wow you are awful young to be married with children aren't you?" and I just want to scream "SAYS WHO?!!!!!!!!!!" I am doing everything I ever wanted to do, being a mother and wife. So who are you to tell me I am too young? When someone graduates University early and becomes whatever it is they have their degree in, you never hear anyone say 'wow aren't you a little young?' no all people can do is praise them and give them compliments. I find that older mothers in their 30's or 40's look down on us because we never did what they did. We didn't wait until the end of our child bearing years to have children. Which is our choice!!! I'm a proud YOUNG mother and wife, and when my children graduate high school we will still be in our EARLY 40's. Which is something I look forward to. All we can do, is hold our head high, and be proud of who we are. Our children will thank us one day.

Danelle - posted on 05/10/2010

I feel the same way. I am 25 and also look like i'm 16 and have 2 kids. I go to the birthday parties my oldest son is invited to to try to get to know the parents but it doesn't usually work out. Kinda feel like i'm being judged the whole time. I'm not able to help out at the school now because i have a newborn. Though i honestly dont think that would make a difference. And i dont think it has to do with my age. I think it has to do with me looking so young. Doesn't help my fiance looks just as young too. I cant even go to a store without getting dirty looks. I do like what Daire does. That may be good for you.

Daire Maria - posted on 05/10/2010

I felt like that when my daughter started school. But several years later I do have a very good relationship with a lot of the other moms. I dont go out with them at the weekend, and the only social night I attended I felt quite strange at (for some reason it was only the older and younger moms who turned up!) but her best friends moms and I could happily have coffee and chats. What helped I think was when their kids started talking about me. I made a special effort to get involved in the school, volunteering for this and that, and had children over for play dates and dinner, and big old style parties for her birthdays, with old style party games. The kids would talk about me to their parents, and what they ate etc and eventually the parent realised thatI wasnt atearaway teen who couldnt be trusted!

Ashley=) - posted on 05/10/2010

Why dont you try talk to them.I am nearly 25& i was a mom at 19 and i am not married and all the married older moms at my child's school are all nice.Most talked to me first and some i spoke to them,the see the type of person and mother i am and there in no way rude or mean to me.Try speak to them.I do understand that many mothers look down on other moms for lots of reasons but if there really that type of mom dont feel bad that the dont want to speak to you feel lucky.:-)