Monday 25 July 2011

In which I feel more ancient than usual

I went to a 40th birthday night out. One of these nights that you don't really know anyone except the person who is 40 but I don't get out much and it's nice to because we all know I just sit at home and be mocked.

I wasn't the oldest person there (you may read my sidebar and think I'm 41, I was, once, I am now getting on for 45) but where I was sitting everyone was around the 40 age and they all had 4 and 5 year olds. That's lovely, I looked at people's photos and heard all the funny stories but my 19 year old uni costs and my 16 year olds drunk paper rounds aren't really fair to tell, in case they scare easy. Much better for them to think their children still are genii (I can't be arsed to google how to spell it, correct it by yourself) and will never give them a moments worry. I had my children earlier than most people, not quite documentary early but a good decade before the people at dinner. I did feel a bit out of step with the rest.

Indeed, it's a bit weird when your EBD and Hot Boy pop into the restaurant to wish the birthday gal a good one, and then persuaded some of them to tag along to experience the fun to be had jaegerbombing. I expect it's a bit unsettling for them to think of going out partaying with their child as they are still all in Disney mode. Indeed it's weird for me to see an unwrinked and thin version of myself.

The upside is the next morning, no 5 year old bouncing on the bed, fully revved up and waiting to be entertained. Just a hungover 19 year old who didn't surface till tea time.

Every cloud and all that.

13 comments:

Gigi said...

Yes, they are still in Disney mode (loved that line!) and even if you tried to tell them - they wouldn't believe it.

Troy said...

As someone in their mid-fifties with a 10 year old I am at the opposite end of the spectrum. Virtually all our friends are empty-nesters.

On the school run they probably think I'm Troy Junior's grandad!

I'm not sure which is better - having them early or having them late. Pros and cons I guess.

Nota Bene said...

I just can't understand why you didn't introduce them to the whole family...

Mac n' Janet said...

Had my only very young and we've been on our own since our early 40s, love having an adult "child".

martine said...

I am convinced the up sides of teenagers can frequently outweigh the anxieties
thanks for sharing
martine

Curry Queen said...

We're going to a 40th this Saturday. The birthday girl has a 9 yr old and a 3 yr old and my daughter babysits for them. I expect to feel proper Geriatric there too!

Muddling Along said...

Definitely a silver cloud (and undoubtedly your conversation is a whole lot more interesting, I love my kids but they can be very dull to discuss)

AGuidingLife said...

Did you mean that they think their kids are all dead clever like or mythical spirits? I'm a guessing you meant geniuses but I could have completely misread the context as I was rushing through to get to the bit with the gin in it :)

Looking for Blue Sky said...

I want to know what jaegerbombing is? Does not knowing mean I'm REALLY old?

Taz said...

It's the moaning that drives me nuts like I don't have any experience or basic recollection of what having a small child is like. Obviously having older children must mean our memories have tipped over into the realms of dementia. Or is that just the fact I've pickled myself? :D

LFBS - Jaegerbombs are a shot of jaegermeister with red bull. You put the full shot glass into a nip glass with red bull poured around it then you drink it all down in one go. It gets you VERY drunk ;)

libby said...

...waiting for grandchildren over here......I want to be able to experience the good bits of babies/young'uns and then hand them back to the parents......

Sandi said...

Ooh and here's me off to two 21st parties last Saturday and wore shoes that my daughter loves and wants (they are too small for her) I was glad to climb out of my shoes and into not so high boots and fish nets for the second party. All my daughers friends are turning 21 this year (along with my daugher) What a year! Oh to be turning 40 again instead of 'cough, cough' :)
x Sandi

Mrs Worthington said...

I am just like you. I listen to the way those with younger ones talk of their little ones and about the teen years as if they will still be the same biddable children. Oh how I larf ( inside so no one can tell) Bugger Jaegerbombs I prefer Chambles - champers & Red Bull or cava if you down grade a wee bit. Gets you very drunk too.