Age Difference

[buttons]

I am always at the butt of the jokes in our office when it comes to age difference in a relationship. I am 23 and my partner is 40, we have been together for 4 years (even though we are not on speaking terms at the moment!) Do you think this is too big an age difference, and if so what would be the maximum you would consider alright?

[buttons]

i know they only mean the jokes as fun, but it can be rather annoying at times!!

[Casey]

In my opinion, age gaps do not matter, as long as you are old enough and wise enough to understand your feelings. For example, a 15 or 16 year old, lets say, would be quite naive and might claim that they are in love with an older person, but may really just be smittened by the attention they are getting. You are 23, an adult who is mature enough to know what feels right, and if you are in love with your partner then I wouldn't worry yourself about what other people think. I know plenty of couples with age gaps of about 20 years who have never been happier. You may not be on speaking terms at the moment, but hey that's what comes with being in a relationship!! lol. Hope you work out your differences, and good luck to the both of you.

[paulz]

Buttons - casey beat me too it. As long as you are both happy, who cares what the rest of the world says. It's you & your partner's life, not your workmates. They're porb jealous, or see that their teasing gets a reaction, hence they carry on with it. Ignore them and enjoy your homelife. Hope you make up your difference of opinion soon.

[mucko]

their right buttons!! we're jealous! i'd LOVE a MILF!! he he x

[nedflanders]

milf ! more like a gilf ! Plus he must be easy to buy for at christmas and birthdays. Olay anti wrinkling cream with ceramide R from laboritoire garnier paris.

[buttons]

Mucko & Ned - you two better watch it cause i could make your life a misery!!! There is nothing wrong with the age difference!

[smudge]

Against my parents wishes, my sister was only 18 yrs old when she married her husband, aged 36 (yes 18yrs older than her)! They've been married 41 years, have four children, grandchildren & still going strong!

[smudge]

So there!

[buttons]

Mucko - I know that you dont have much in the way of standards, and that you would screw a lamp post if you though it would be pleasurable! Ned 17years does not constitute enough for the GILF statement!

[buttons]

Smudge - THANK YOU!!!

[andy hughes]

A friend of my wife married a man three years older than her father. Her Dad was so angry, he boycotted the wedding, and now, some fifteen years and three grandchildren later, they are all on good terms, but he cannot have that wedding day back, much as he wishes he could. Go with your heart, and ignore your colleagues, who conform to stereotypes, as colleagues do, just smile secretly to yourself, and they'll always be wondering what your secret is!

[brawburd]

My partner is 21 years older than me. I never thought I'd fall for someone so much older, although he's fitter and healthier than me! We've been together 12 years and the age difference is just not an issue for us. And every part of our relationship is as it should be. It's been an issue for other people, like my parents who are the same age as my partner, but overall folk have come round to the idea and don't think about it anymore. Buttons, do what's right for YOU!

[Tat]

age is totally irrelevant. poke all your work 'mates' in the eye! xx

[Betty Rubble]

Hi buttons - have you ever had any other serious relationships or is this your first?

[buttons]

Thanks everyone it's good to know there are some sensible people out there! Betty i have had other relationships but my partner now is the only person i can truly say ive ever loved. Dont get me wrong i'd ditch him in a second if brad pitt were to become available, but then again i'd be dismissed if kylie were free!!

[tartanwiz]

As long as both partners are sexually mature, then no age difference is too big in my opinion. It is up to individuals concerned to make decisions on love, not for outsiders to judge.

[nedflanders]

Just for record everyone! Mucko and I are only joking and do this to encourage office banter and camaradary(? where's spellmaster when you need him?). We do not mean to offend buttons and if she is happy with her geezer then we are happy too! p.s. She gives as good as she gets when it comes to pranks etc.

[buttons]

Too right i do Ned!! Although ive not though of one to pay you back with yet for yesterdays Tic'Tac incident!

[haha]

hey buttons I can relate 100%.... Im 25 and my fiance is 50. Luckily mot family & friends are cool with it, but a few arent. Those who make mean comments and show disgust have an illness: its called sticking their nose into peoples business when it doesnt concern them. Its a major control issue and you shouldnt let it bother you. I know it hurts sometimes, thats inevitable, trust me my sister has made the meanest remarks one can imagine!!! All I can say is its your life and if you live it in order to please others or avoid critisicm its no longer your life... it belongs to them.... Anywyas older men dating younger women is no new thing, its been happening for a long time! It might be socially unconventional but that doesnt make it wrong. Society doesnt usually have our best interest in mind, but you should. So if this man is good for you then blow everyone off. You can avoid situations by not answering their noisy questions, you dont have to justify your love to ANYONE!! I know, I lost a best friend over this and it just showed me, shes not really a true friend or she would respect my choice to live my life as I see fit. My man is amazing, and perfect for me. Age was an issue when we first met but now its only an issue for those around us. Im a bit nervous to get married bc of the reactions of the family but I know in time they will just get bored with the whole thing. Or maybe they will realize that even if hes a 100, if my man makes me happy that is what matters!!! Love, ya

[buttons]

Thanks for your answer haha - i love my other half more than life itself and it really gets to me that so many people are against us without getting to know us as a couple. My two brothers refuse to have anything to do with him, and when we do have to be in the same room at the same time they treat him like a lepar. The funny thing is ive got two older sisers and both of them are with older men (7&9 year age differences) yet my brothers are fine with them. I think its cause there is a bigger age gap between me and my boyf. At the end of the day it is my decision and im the one who has to suffer the consequences - the bad and the good. The two people who i thought would object are the ones who support us and that's mt parents (his parents are a different story!). Its good to see it's working fr several other people so why shouldn't it work for me!!