Mar 04 2008
Middle Aged!
Ungrateful Brats.
My son mentioned today that he had been talking to a “middle-aged” person – “You know about 35 or 40” he clarified.
I wish he hadn’t. I stopped in my tracks. I said “thanks mate, you little *%#@ – want to get your own dinner”?
He looked surprised. Then he reasoned “OK. So 84 is the average life span for an Australian woman (and 80 for a man)*, isn’t 40 ‘middle-aged’ – give or take a couple of years”?
I changed the subject (after muttering “I am SO going to blog this”).
Then over dinner I mentioned to my daughter “Oh, your brother put his foot in it earlier” and I recounted the story.
I was faced with a blank look. She didn’t understand why I was incredulous. “Well, if that isn’t middle-aged, what is”?
(Seriously, at 40 I’m not “middle-aged” am I? O.M.G.)
She persisted “Well, what do you consider ‘middle-aged’ “?
Best I could come up with was “At least 10 years older than I am at any point in the future”.
What do you classify as “middle aged”?**
* I haven’t checked the accuracy of that statement.
** I reserve the right to delete any comments that agree with my children 😉
15 Responses to “Middle Aged!”
35 or 40? Holy crap i have reached middle aged.
If he persists then perhaps you should ground him (or threaten to) until he is middle aged himself. After you explain what middle aged really is
ROFLOL. I’m with you Meg. At LEAST 10 years older than I am at any given time. Of course, kids are SUPPOSED to think their parents are old.
Lightening’s last blog post..My Life in 5 Years Time
I’m with you too………. although at this stage of the game, I’ll make it 15 years older than me lol
Bettina’s last blog post..Frienemies?
You seem to have “middle-aged” associated with “uncool,” which you are most definitely not.
You might try the time-honored parental jiu jitsu trick of admitting to being middle-aged, in the strictly numerical sense of the word, and then using that to launch in to the “Age ain’t nuthin’ but a number” speech, that there have been lots of people who have made great contributions in their later years, that you strive to be physically active, intellectually curious, and genuinely interested in other people.
Of course, if you don’t feel like doing that, you can always say “10 years older than I am is the definition of middle age” and make the kids get their own dinner.
Douglas’s last blog post..Flying Imams – Well In Excess Of $100,000 Each For Hurt Feelings
Heh. I’m going to have to go with your son here. While I’ve never considered 35 middle-aged, 40 to me… well, yeah, it’s kind of my perception of middle-aged. That said, bear in mind I agree with Douglas; middle-aged does not equal “uncool”.
*runs*
Burgo’s last blog post..The Charlatans “You Cross My Pathâ€. And dandelions.
Greg, Lightening, Bettina – thanks for your support.
Douglas – LOL 😀 true “you’re only as old as you feel” and all that. Making them get their own dinner, does sound like a plan though. Especially if my 15 year old doesn’t stop calling me “cute”! I must be shrinking in my old age….
Burgo – guess I’d better make that appointment for a perm and blue rinse… Now where do I go to block an IP…. 😉
35????? Middle aged????? Shit. Better start saving for that porche and hit the clubs then.
Wanna come?
Kelley’s last blog post..I am so a Domestic Goddess….
The answer was obvious to me before I looked at any of the other comments. It’s currently 10 years older than I am (and I’m a little bit older than you :)). Of course that may change but it’s not about to change any time soon.
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I agree, Meg, middle aged is always some (to be defined)years ahead of however old I am now.
My kids wouldn’t call 35-40 middle-aged, they think its ancient, especially applied to me.
Ian’s last blog post..The most versatile word in the English language
LOL. What I would give to be 35-40! My MIL lived till she was 104 and when she was 100 her daughter bought her a dress. She complained that it was an old lady dress and told her to return it to the store. A bewildered daughter asked, if 100 is not old what is?
jmb’s last blog post..St David’s Day Concert
Hey
Just go with the flow and remember that everyone you know is getting older at the same rate that you are!! Except your kids of course!!!
Think how boring…..or really scary it !!……would be……if those around got older quicker….or slower….than you! Weird!!
Shazan
Sharyn’s last blog post..How to start a profitable internet business – quickly and easily
At the risk of getting my comment deleted – I would say between 40 and 55. OVer that would surely enter old age.
Nicole Price’s last blog post..Budget Cruises
Kelley – absolutely, Great Ocean Road here we come… One Mid-life crisis booked 😉
Christine – always a pleasure to know someone older than me 😉
Ian – Ancient? 😮 It goes so quickly…
jmb – LMAO – oh that’s classic! Thanks for the chuckle
Sharyn – oh very true! You know what would be great? Being born old and getting younger as the years go by. “They” always say youth is wasted on the young…
Nicole – you’re in your twenties, aren’t you? Just you wait until you’re forty – then it will be sometime a lot more in the future 😉 My parents are 80 and 74 this year and I don’t consider them old! My grandma, maybe – she’s 100 this year and is finally showing signs of slowing down a little
Lord, is that what has been going on??? I am having a midlife crisis!!!!! Damn. I’m off to find some hot model who is looking for a sugar….mummy (?)
My kids think I am from the olden days. I still feel like a teenager… or at least in my early 20s What’s with that?
Good lord! I am about to turn 40……so if 35-40 is middle aged does that mean I will have passed middle age next year? I need some Chardy and a lie down.