Ah, the age-old desire to appear youthful! It’s a familiar tune in our society where asking a woman her age is often considered taboo. Now that I’m in my thirties, birthdays feel less like carefree celebrations and more like a mix of joy and a bit of melancholy—like we’re celebrating to stave off the tears, right?
Yes, I look young. I mean, I get carded for kombucha, and I’ve even been mistaken for one of the middle school students at my job more than once. It’s amusing how people often exclaim, “Oh! I thought you were in high school!” or “You must be the babysitter!” To ease their minds and my own, I usually introduce myself with, “Hi, I’m Mia. I might look younger than I am—just wanted to clear that up.”
When my son was born at 26, I was technically not a teenager, but let’s be honest, by today’s standards, I was still pretty young—especially in fancy neighborhoods like Park Slope, Brooklyn, where a 30-year-old mom might as well be a toddler.
Honestly, looking young has its perks. If I keep this up, maybe when I’m 60, I’ll still look 45. Sounds like a win to me! And you know what? I don’t mind if people think I’m my son’s babysitter, especially during those moments when he’s having a full-on meltdown, screaming “I want coconut!” like he’s auditioning for a horror movie.
But here’s the rub: I’d rather not be treated like a child. Motherhood is a serious job, and I want respect—especially in front of my kid.
A Lesson in Respect
Take this one time, for instance. I was running late dropping him off at school, and his summer camp teacher, whom I had just met, stepped into my personal bubble and said, quite sternly, “You will not be late again.” As if speaking slowly would somehow make me more responsible! It worked—sort of. I stammered out, “I-I-I will try my very best,” feeling utterly humiliated. The assistant teacher nearby was clearly cringing as she awkwardly laughed and backed away.
Then the teacher doubled down: “No. You will NOT try. You WILL NOT be late again.” I could hardly catch my breath, and I finally muttered, “You don’t have to do that.” And as I walked away, I burst into tears.
Oh, did I mention I live in Park Slope? If you know the area, you know that preschool tuition is as high as my rent, and I expected a bit more respect for that investment. It makes me wonder—if I were 41, like most of the other affluent parents, would she have spoken to me like that?
More Stories to Share
I have a whole arsenal of similar stories. Like the time an ER nurse gave me a lengthy lecture on car seat safety while I simply nodded, thinking, “I know why I’m here! My son hit his head!” Just because I look young doesn’t mean I need a parenting tutorial.
So here’s my advice: if you’re of a certain age, embrace it! Those wrinkles? They come with wisdom. Aging isn’t all bad; one of the best parts is that people are less likely to second-guess your decisions. It must be nice to have that kind of respect.
Resources for Parents
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out this helpful resource. And if you’re curious about the process of getting started, you can find some great info at Make A Mom. Also, the CDC offers excellent guidance on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Looking younger than your age can have its perks, but it can also lead to being treated like a child, especially in parenting situations. Respect is key when navigating motherhood, and embracing your age can help alleviate some of that judgment. With wisdom and experience, you can make confident choices without being second-guessed.