People asking my age constantly! RUDE!!!

Lana - posted on 01/31/2011

Have you ever thought maybe people are not mind readers? Sorry but these people are probably trying to tell you that you look really good for your age, ok, mind they are not very tactful, and they shouldn't ask your age, but there is no need to be rude! Be the bigger person. smile and say your old enough to be a mother

Kristy - posted on 01/23/2011

I feel for ya, I'm 24 too and I have people asking me that as well....Im also in college so I have to look nice. It annoys me like crazy but I've learned to just ignore it and shrug it off and if they keep asking all I say is, "I'm oldest enough don't worry about it!" and I keep walking or I just act like I'm on the phone I'll put it on silent and then at like someone is calling me (i have an Iphone so no one can here me put it on silent)

Emmalie - posted on 01/23/2011

im 28 and i have a 11 year old and ppl keep asking if she is mine of my sisters but when i am with my 5 and 3 year old it dasnt happen

Rachel - posted on 01/23/2011

I have the same problem! There is nothing more irritating than the dirty looks while I'm out with my kids. I'm turning 26 this year and my daughter's speech teacher (she's 6--in kindgergarten) asked me which high school I went too and if I knew her daughter, who is a senior this year! Come on, lady, that would have put me at 13 when my daughter was born! Gimme a little credit! There's nothing we can do to change it, but I do like the idea of asking them their age!

Erica - posted on 01/23/2011

Hey, your friend has a good idea but actually I just ignore people who do that to me. I'm 29 and I have 4 kids. Not only do I get carded for everything, ppl ask my age constantly. I've had ppl tell me that I look too young to have one child let alone four. Then the fact that I have lost all of my baby fat, I get told that I don't look like I've had four kids. It's rude, but I know that some ppl just don't know any better. My oldest is 8, so I've been going through this for a while now and it's the same yr after yr. Over time you'll learn how to ignore the rudeness and just laugh at the situation.

Nadia - posted on 01/23/2011

i have kind of the same problem! i'm 26, married, with 2 kids and i can haul them both into a liquor store, flash my wedding ring and STILL be ID'd... and to make it worse, the cashier wil then either scrutinize it and ask for a second peice (like i'm faking it) or hastily hand it back saying "oh sorry!" i honestly don't know which is worse. just keep telling yourself that at leasst when you're 60 you'll look 29 :) (i actually say that to people) also, you could just say "not that it's any of your business, but i happen to be 24!" and if they are especially rude about it something along the lines of "well at least when i'm your age i'll look like i'm 22" and walk away....

Candi - posted on 01/23/2011

I get that all the time also. Im 24 and people are always asking me how old I am and then telling I dont look old enough to have a baby. Tje worst was when I was pregnant my fiance and I would get the nasty nasty dirty looks from people because they thought I was some teenager pregnant. I remember I was at the mall one time I was about 3-4 months pregnant and you could tell, I popped right out, and there were these young girls not sure if they were my age or younger with kids them selves and they kept looking at me and my belly and talking to eachother and giving my that really nasty look and as I walked by them I was like do you have a problem Im 21 and old enough to be pregnant if I want and you all have kids with you so take a look at your self before you talk and give dirty looks.

Rebecca - posted on 01/23/2011

lol. i guess that paople saying I look young isn't as bad as people asking me how I get my skin so white.

Sarah - posted on 01/23/2011

I have this happen to me all the time. I am 24 with a 2 year old and I am pregnant again. It's annoying, and disrespectful. I am married and not THAT young. I guess we just age REALLY well. At least when we are 45+ we won't look as bad as these nosy jerks! haha!

Jessica - posted on 01/23/2011

I know the feeling! I had my son 9 days before my 25th bday. I look about 18 so I get lots of stares. Oh well when we are in our 40s we'll still look like we're in our 20s

Hailey - posted on 01/22/2011

i get told i look 15 im 21 so looks bad when my daughter goin to be 3 in sept lol i always get id for clubs and for alchol or cigs people always look at me when she shouts mummy

Rebecca - posted on 01/22/2011

I know when people say i thought you were 16, it is more like an accusation than a compliment. It's like they are just trying to defend themselves for being narrowminded. If it was meant as a compliment, it should not involve your kid(s)...

Sarah - posted on 01/22/2011

I agree. When I was pregnant with my first child my husband and I would always get dirty looks. People would always tell me that they can't believe I have a five year old. I just got asked if I was still in high school a few months ago and I about to be 27 on the 24th of this month. I know it should be a compliment but it is very annoying sometimes. I wish people would mind their own business. My children are well behaved unlike most of the brats that have parents that are older. I don't understand why they care. You just have to try and not let it bother you. Good Luck!

Michele - posted on 01/22/2011

Ok i have yet to read what everyone else has said, but it does not matter what you look like, it is extremely rude. its called Passing Judgment. and even if it was the case that you where a teen mother, What in the hell are you suppose to do "put the baby back"? because they don't agree???? Give me a break. I also agree with your best friend, you should ask them a personal Question back such as their age. Or you can even make it funner and say something along the lines of " I'm 24 years old, " Are you a Christian"? and if They say YES...WHY....say well any Christian knows They should NOT be Passing Judgment upon anyone else.
Granted I do agree that teens should not be having children, because I would rather see them Go and start planning for college and traveling the world and be the teen's they have the right to be. But that's not our place to say one way or another.......its only up to the parents of the teen to be saying something about it... NOT complete strangers.
but in your case, you need to dish it back. I am 31 years old, and I kid you not, I look 21. if I go into a bar ( VERY RARELY with friends or family or whatever is going on, I get that 3degree look, and am asked right off if I have an ID Then when they see it Its like. OMG i would have never guessed you where old enough to be in here I am also only five foot 2 inches lol so that adds to it all.
anyway just start letting people know flat out, they are crossing a line, if They have an Attitude about it when they ask you. Try not to let people bother you though, your better then that !!! I know how hard it can be though people can be very rude no matter what the situation is.

Rachael - posted on 01/22/2011

I am 29, and I STILL look like I am 16. When people ask me how old I am I ask them why they want to know. Once when I was nursing my son someone asked if that was my baby. without blinking I replied,"nope, he's my grandson." I thought that woman was going to pass out, but she walked away. When some one asked me how old I was and then commented something offhanded about "teen moms" I calmly told her that while I was 28 and had a planned pregnancy and birth, she should not be so quick to judge others as she doesn't know their stories. I know women who had babes at 15 that are amazing parents and 30-somethings that deserve a smack in the head sometimes. It is frustrating, but you just have to deal with it. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 01/22/2011

I know what you mean. I'm young too but i'm not too young for a baby. I was 20 when I got pregnant (Now 21). When I went to buy my pregnancy test the lady at the checkout line said to me "please tell me this ISN'T for YOU!" and I said "Yes it is" and she said "Oh my I hope you aren't cause you are way too young and you will ruin your life." I was soooo PISSED! Here I was so excited hoping for a yes and I had to deal with that. I didn't know how to respond so I just flashed my left ring finger and said "umm.. I'm MARRIED!" But it's ok cause 20 minutes later I got my yes :) and now my son is almost 8 months old and he definitely did not ruin my life. He's the best thing that has ever happened to it! :)

Tah - posted on 01/22/2011

well those nurses just proved they dont check charts or armbands, gives us all bad names...

Rebecca - posted on 01/22/2011

This happens to me also. I am 25, and My husband and I were married almost 2 years when our son was born. We found out i was preg. on our first anniversary. First, when we got married, I felt bad because everyone assumed there was a pregnancy involved. Now, people will ask how old our son is, then say, "Oh well yall have only been married a year or so right?" People are so RUDE!! The nurses at the hospital where I delivered ignored my husband completely, and asked me if I planned to finish high school and which high school I attended. I quickly answered them that I had been out of school for almost a decade! I get weird looks from older people, and I have even had someone shake their head at me while I was in the grocery store with my son and my 9 year old niece!! It really gets exhausting putting up with people and their rudeness, expecially when I wasn't raised to be that way. And Mary, where are you from? I live in the 3states area (TX, LA and AR) and people don't usually ask. They just directly assume and make it a point to show their discust and how much they disaprove.

Brianne - posted on 01/22/2011

I just ignore them. Plus I think the wedding ring does help in my case. And in my town there are a ton of "teenage" moms so I don't get as many weird looks as I used to.... even though I am in my 20's some people do still treat me like I am too young to be a mom. Anyways you should wear a fake wedding ring... but I wouldn't get one that looks too fake. At Walmart they sell gold wedding bands for $25.

Jill - posted on 01/22/2011

I'm 21 *gasp!* I get this alot. My fav comeback is when seniors ask you or tell you your too young to be a mommy ask them when THEY had their first child. I kno my grammy had her first baby at 19 just like me. Its funny how its become a stereotype about young mothers even when way back than it was normal. I just laugh and tell everyone I'm kicking it old school and that my career takes second to my family :)

Erin - posted on 01/22/2011

I'm 25 and when people ask my how old my son is they always look at me in shock (he is 7) When they see me with all 3 children. My son, 7 My daughter 10 days and my step son, 2 they look at my like I am some ghetto welfare mom. I just stare at them until they look away or sometimes even say hi but don't let it stress you ignorance is everywhere unfortunately

Heather - posted on 01/21/2011

I'm 29 and have a 14 month old daughter, I worked in customer service while I was pregnant with her (I'm now a stay at home mom) but I could not believe how bold some people were once I started showing! Several asked me if I was going to be able to finish school once the baby came - they honestly thought I was still in high school! There were even those that noticed my wedding ring and scolded me telling me that I should not have rushed into having children - which really upset me since we actually TTC for close to 6 years! However my husband is only 5 months older than me but has the opposite problem I don't think he's been carded when buying alcohol EVER! - he's had people assume he is our daughter's grandfather and my father. I've learned (after nearly 10 years of marriage) that it's not worth explaining to every stranger on the street. Just let them assume and don't worry about what they think!

Nickie - posted on 01/21/2011

tell them to get a life and walk away or your friend saying works as well..but looking young is a good thing or i always though it was and even if you were 14 years old what say do they have neways or to judge ! i wish i look young for my age ;p

Van - posted on 01/21/2011

I get looks when I'm walking around with my son. I don't really wear a ring and I guess I look younger. I'm 26. I think it's just as rude to just keep staring. I mean, they have no idea your age or what is going on in your life. Even when I walk with my husband.

Maria - posted on 01/21/2011

I have 2 daughters and I have 2 nieces. When I would go out with ALL of them, people would look at me like I was crazy to have so many kids. I especially loved it when I was pregnant with my youngest and I would go out, people would literally shake their heads when they saw me. Especially since I look so young. Sometimes, I would do it on purpose and wear pigtails! LOL
You just have to laugh it off. If you feel you should give them a taste of their own medicine, by all means go ahead! I'd love to see a video of you getting back at them! LOL

Cydnie - posted on 01/21/2011

I get the same thing happening to me. I've always looked young for my age. I had twins and nothing has changed. I am now 22 and I still look like a teenager. People are like YOU had twins! Wow! You're so skinny! You don't even look like you're old enough to be married with children. It gets irritating, but these aren't people I'll have to see anymore after that merely awkward situation. I mean you can say something, but I just choose to ignore them all. I like that I still look young even though I've had kids. My girls are 1, so I feel like I'm in pretty good shape. I know it gets irritating, but not everyone call deal with such a hot mom! You look good, and if those people can't handle it then you can let them know that your business has nothing to do with them.

Kristina - posted on 01/21/2011

well i suppose its better than looking too old and fat to have had a kid >< but in all seriousness dont let the glares or comments of others get you down, because really its no ones business. Be proud that you are young and fit and just laugh it off.

Emma - posted on 01/21/2011

oh i dont take any notice! i will be 28 at end of month and i had my eldest daughter who will be 4 in april when i was 24 and i have twin girls who are 1 and i was 26 when i had them and i get it all the time oh they cant be your children you look far too young!! i just laugh it off as some people are just like that! just think when your 40 you will still look young and beautiful! lol!

Kat - posted on 01/21/2011

I don't really understand how you take it as them being rude... I have people ask me how old I am (20 almost 21), my husband is (20 almost 21), and my son(almost 15 months)... and the majority of them aren't rude about it at all.... honestly I take it as a complement when they say I look too young to be a mom because I'd rather them think too young then too old... also, most seem to try to start a conversation with me so they can come look at my son..



Maybe you should take another look... maybe these people really aren't being rude and maybe you're taking it the wrong way by automatically assuming everyone is passing judgement on you just because you look young and have a child..?

Aaron - posted on 01/21/2011

I get the same problem. I have no Idea how to respond and one lady from Church told me she thought I was a teenage mom. think well that is so nice. do people not pay attention to just how rude they are being. I had another lady at church come up to me and my Husband (at that time) and start talking to us about how tough it was for her to be a teenage parent, so I said something about being Married and she was so shocked and asked how old we were. I was 22 and he was 23 at that time about a year ago. Now I am so nervouse because My husband just left me last month and I have our 1 year old son plus I am expecting this summer! I can't wait to see what kind of looks I get now! not only do I look like a teenager but one who "didn't learn the first time" hahaha oh well. I have thought about wearing my wedding rings still but I can't it's a lie and I have nothing to be ashamed of. I was abandoned when I was 8 weeks pregnant nothing I can do to change that. people can just mind there own buisness. you would think that people would realize that our generation and younger then us are not looking "our age" kinda funny that everyone our age doesn't "look their age" now haha. don't worry about what they say and screw with their heads tell them that you decided to keep the baby this time around and the first one (when you were 12 or something) was given to adoption! I don't know, i know it sounds aweful but this is someone you will see most likely once in your life. what do they realy matter. Keep your head up and tell people to piss off!

Kayla - posted on 01/21/2011

Mary, I agree, it's very annoying. I have 3 kids, my oldest is 7, he looks older than 7, and I actually got asked if I was 17 the other day. I usually don't even give them an answer, why do they need one? I'll just say ''old enough to be your mother''. lol

Edna - posted on 01/21/2011

I;m quite a blunt person and find that I have to say something. like when people stare at me I respond with "Problem" or "yes". drives my husband mad but they soon get the point. the important thing is that it's none of thier buisness, and as long as you and your baby are happy thats all that matters, they obviously have nothing better to do with thier lives.

Elisha - posted on 01/21/2011

I get the same thing constantly!!! Its very aggrivating. I am 25 and have a 3 year old son and 6 month old daughter. I don't think I look that young either but I too am told I look 14. I am frequently out with my kids grandmother and people stop her and tell her how cute her kids are, and assume I am hers also!!! I personally have no problem getting rude right back and setting them straight, juat rude enough to make them feel stupid though. and as far as the dirty looks and people assuming things, just ignore them. They know nothing about u, so let them assume what they want, other than the annoyance of people's ignorance it really has no affect on your life. Its really none of their business anyways!

Danielle - posted on 01/20/2011

Hah! Here's a story for you. I turned 29 this last august. In November I took my 2 and 5 year olds to Arizona because all 3 of us had roles in my best friends wedding. While we were out with her mom we stopped at a store so she could return an item. We had decided that instead of going through the trouble of taking both the kids in I would stay outside in the car with them and she would leave the air on. When she got inside she over heard the lady who entered the store behind her talking to the manager of the store. The lady told the manager the she wanted to report Mrs. Schilling because she left her "children" in the car. She walked over to the two and said excuse me I want to respond to that accusation. Did you see the young women sitting in the front seat of the car? The other lady responded that she did and Mrs. Schilling then proceeded to tell her that I was 29 and the 2 young children in the back seat were mine. LOL When she came back and told me the story of almost being reported to CPS for leaving her kids in the car I laughed. I told her she should have thanked the woman for her complement. Not only did she think I was a lot younger than what I was but she also thought Mrs. Schilling wasn't old enough to be grandma. My advice is to just take it in stride and take it as a complement.

Sammie - posted on 01/20/2011

So I read the first page of this post, and in all honesty, it irritated me. Firstly, what does being "skinny" have to do with anything? Does that mean us "average size" mums shouldn't have any issue being mistaken for a non-mum because we "look like" we've had kids? And secondly, how many of you have stopped to think perhpas you are giving someone "the look" first?! What is this look anyway? How do you know what a person thinks from how they are looking at you? I think there are a lot of paranoid mums here.

At the end of the day, if you are raising your children, they have food in their tummies and a roof over their head, whether you are 15 or 25 or 45, or regardless of whether you are partnered or not, then THAT'S what matters! I'm 22, I have a 20 month old and am due to have my second baby in 2 weeks. The only time I've ever been offended was when a nurse asked me in hospital during this pregnancy if both my children had the same father. I responded with "of course they do, why? Do your children have different fathers?". Not everyone is presumptuous, or intending to be insulting, perhaps its the way you choose to receive what they've said.

If someone asked me how old I was, I'd tell them and then carry on or if I didn't want to tell them say "Old enough to have been taught not to ask someone their age." then smile and walk off.

Jannelle - posted on 01/20/2011

These days a lot of people look "too young to have children". I don't understand why people jump into other peoples business like that. When my best friend was a baby her much older sister was holding her and some woman had the nerve to just walk up to her and slap her across the face because she thought she was a teenage mom. Besides, it doesn't matter if you're 16 or 26 some people are going to assume you're lying anyway. Just laugh it off and walk away is my advice.

Stephenie - posted on 01/20/2011

i feel your pain! just after i had my first son, some lady actually came up to me in a walmart and proceeded to tell me all about Rose of Durham, a charity for unwed teenage mothers... which would have been very helpful had i been a teenage unwed mother - i was neither!! RUDE

Amanda - posted on 01/20/2011

It seams to be a common thing. I am 26 even tho i am heavey set i dont ware makeup just cause it breaks me out and i cary my 2 year old into a gas station buy a energy drink and maybe a scratch off or even a pack of smokes for the husband if he asks and they look at me like i am crazy then ask to see my id one lady even had the said you don't look like you are 26 maybe 16 or 17 at most as nice as it makes me feel now it irked me at the time.Oh well if people give me looks i just give them back.

Teejay - posted on 01/20/2011

Ask them straight back! i think that is a great idea. And you are completly right. When I was a child I remember being taught to never ask someone there age because its rude!. Just remember never take it to heart. The message of this story is that you must be a good looking mama! So just feel positive when someone else trys to assume or judge because they are only jelous.

Dorothy - posted on 01/20/2011

Amazing what goes through peoples heads. Dont they THINK??? I wish i HAD kids when I was 16 and didnt wait till I was 26. Not your point I know but still....I think fair is fair, if Im asked a question about my age or job or whatever, Id respond in kind and feel free to ask the same to them. Tit for Tat. Whenever I go to the gym I never ask blunt questions like these to strangers. I feel that if they wanted me to know something, theyd tell me right? Perhaps you should start wearing a sign -EFF off with your age questions. And what if you WERE 16??? or 14? What would it matter to them? Its not THEIR life. Its yours. Yes there is freedom of speech, but more importantly there is respect for other peoples feelings.

Iris - posted on 01/20/2011

Well all I have to say is be happy you look young :D when people ask your age tell them holding your head up high!
I am a young mother and I get asked this question a lot not in a good way most the time but I am proud :)
I work hard, I am super mom and my age will never ever bother me not even when I am a young grandmother ♥

So who cares.. I mean really... does it matter? ♥

Kim - posted on 01/20/2011

I have to say I have never had anyone ask my age outright. Just the evil looks, I am 23 and have a 4 and 2 year old. Looks wise, I get carded for lottery tickets. I have come to the point where I just give them the dirty look back and make sure I have one of my children refer to me as mommy right at that moment. If I am walking with my husband or a friend I make sure to mention that I think I want another one in an overly loud voice. It doesn't make it feel better but at least I have a little fun with it.

Amber - posted on 01/20/2011

its ok hun people do that to me also.. i am 27 and had to go home and bring my id back to the gas station to buy a pack of smokes.. thats when i was smoking.. my husband just laughs at me..

Brenda - posted on 01/20/2011

i so know what u mean people are rude i was 21 when i was pregnant with my daughter and everybody kept treating me like i was a teen mom or something and i would look straight at them and tell them to mind their own business they dont know me

Marsha - posted on 01/20/2011

I have the SAME problem only mine started b4 I had my daughter.. I'm a hairstylist and have been for 6 yrs now, I'm 25 and when a client would sit in my chair they'd give me this disapproving look and ask how old I was .. and say I look too young to be cutting hair. Well considering u graduate highschool at 18 and it only takes 10months to go to hair school I could be 18 still and be a hairstylist!!

And I am married and ppl kept telling me when i was going to be married iwas too young to be married ... i married at 24.. meanwhile most ppl way back when were married by 16-20 and had their kids anywhere around that time as well!

So I started asking ppl their age.... theyd usually change the subject... maybe u should ask them how old they were when they had their first child lol

Some people are very rude and they just dont realise it... I use to get comments about how thin i was too while i was at work... "do u eat? god your skinny"

I usually asked them if they ate yet today lol would they like it if i said ur really fat? noooooo..

or i use to get " wow you're really pale" like is that a compliment? would they like it if i said " wow u look like beef jerky?" no didnt think so....

Oh the things ppl say.... its frustrating but u can really only handle it two ways...

smile and tell them politely how old u are and maybe even slip in a dont i look DAMN GOOD!!! lol

Or be a rude bugger back... maybe if someone asks u your age .. ask them how many grandchildren they have .. especially if they dont look like they have grandchildren..

sorry i got over excited about this post.. have fun.. and dont take it to heart u have GREAT GENES and ur going to look fabulous at 40,50 and 70

ASHLEY - posted on 01/20/2011

I have the same problem I just ignore them. Im 22 and my husband is 27 and Ive even been mistaken for his daughter we are only 4 1/2 years apart! I get dirty looks sometimes too but I just ignore them too. I have 2 kids and custody of my 13 yr old sister... one time while me and the hubby were checking her into school they asked me if I needed a pass to my next class... worst part is she was still in elementary school at the time! I have had students at my sisters middle school whisper "Is that 8th grader pregnant?" as they walked by while I was at the school.



I know I look young but I dont believe that young but I get mistaken for a middle school aged kid or younger all the time. I sometimes wonder if people are exagerating to be even more rude.

Lisa - posted on 01/20/2011

I've gotten that a lot with people asking me if I'm excited about going back to school or something like that and commenting on how cute my brothers are... it bothers me but then again, its almost a compliment. Just think... when everyone else looks around 40-50... You'll look like your in your 30-40's. Sounds like a deal to me!

Mimi - posted on 01/20/2011

I have the same problem, I'm almost 29 but look 19. Just tell them it;s too bad you arent as lucky as I am to look so much younger than what you are. It pisses them off even more but makes me feel so good.

Tarah - posted on 01/20/2011

I have had the same problem i ask people there age and then they turn around and walk off. But i dont care who you are noone likes to be asked how old they are. So just ask them and they will leave you alone!

Amanda - posted on 01/20/2011

I have been asked my age at least 3 times a week for years. I am 26 with 3 children and 1 step-daughter that is 10 but she is 5'2 so I get crazy looks often. What I hate the most Is when I am at there school helping out. I have been offered nanny positions asking if I want a new job b/c there is no way that is my own child. It is no ones business. I have actually started telling people. "I have had some work done, don't I look great?" Just to mess with them. Probably not right but so worth the new expression on there face lol.