In the last couple of years I have started to feel older and older. And not because of my age or my physical condition. I’m going to be 29 this year. That’s not exactly old. But I’m afraid having children has made me feel old. I can’t blame them and it’s definitely all my fault, but it has definitely happened as a result of their birth.
I find myself looking at clothes when I go shopping and saying, “gosh, that looks a little trampy!” Or I hear a song on the radio by a 16-year-old boy (who shall remain nameless for fear of serious blogging backlash) and think, “do girls really like the way that sounds and do they really think he’s cute?” And then I’ll say something like, “in my day, JC Chasez was the bees knees and I couldn’t get enough of him or his *NSync bandmates!” (I’m not saying the 16-year-old nameless wonder isn’t the bees knees– I’m just saying I don’t really “get it” because I feel like I missed it.)
Oh my wow. I can’t believe I admitted, in writing, that this is the celebrity I was crushing on in 1999!
Heck, when I watch the Grammy awards, I only know a handful of the nominated songs and artists. I actually turn to the Grammy Awards to find out what I should be listening to.
I know that my music tastes haven’t changed and my personal style hasn’t really changed, but my awareness of what’s out there has changed. I’m more and more aware of what my children are exposed to and what bandwagons kids of their generation will jump on.
When I get in my car, I always turn it on contemporary Christian music, Country music, classic rock, or the music I listened to in college and grad school because that’s what I know and it’s just easier to listen to something I already know. This is when I’m not listening to a Disney CD in order to keep Hudson happy while he sings, “This old man, he played one, he played knick knack on my thumb.”
Just the other day, TC and I were driving the boys somewhere and one of my old favorites, “What’s Up?” by Four Non Blondes came on the radio. TC and I were belting it out and I was thinking, “Hudson is going to think we’re so cool because we know all the words.”
Wrong.
Hudson was actually shouting from the back seat, “No, no no sing! Stop!” He was shaking his head and covering his eyes. He was embarrassed. We’re old!
Do any of you other moms feel this way? Did time seem to stand still when you had kids? I promise I won’t be wearing “mom jeans” because I don’t know any better and failed to pay attention to current fashion trends. That’s where I draw the line!
Hey, y'all, I'm Erin. Thanks for stopping by! I'm a Believer, a boy mom and former event planner turned stay-at-home mom. I blog about our lives, my family, my faith, fun finds, and kitchen disasters. You can read more on my 'About' page 
I am going to my sister’s high school graduation today! Ugh, that makes me feel super old. All those kids look so…young! I try my best to stay current even as a mother of a young child, but some of the stuff out now is just not my taste. I suppose because it is meant for 15 year olds
I totally feel this way sometimes. It’s definitely because I became a mama. In my head, I still feel like it’s the year 2000 and I’m 18 without a care in the world, but then I remember that I have a toddler and I’ve been married almost 10 years. I also don’t know a lot of the songs that come on the radio and find myself thinking, “People really like that?”
When I go shopping, I try to find things that are appropriate, but sometimes I make mistakes…like when I bought this cute top w/ feathers/angel wings printed on it. I decided not to wear it on an outing and I guess it was a good thing b/c I saw little girls (age 16 or so) wearing tees like that. It promptly went into the Goodwill bag and I made a mental note of it.
You’re not the only one!! Especially about the music – I have NO IDEA who some of these popular artists are. Or I’ll hear a popular song, and I’ll think, “Oh MY, that’s vulgar!” And then I think back to one of the CD’s I had in high school that my mom found in my car and threw out the window because of the terrible lyrics! PS – Crushing on JC is not embarrassing. Mine was Jonathan Taylor Thomas!
You’re not old! Sure you have two kids and aren’t the same girl as you were 10 years ago. But, whenever I start feeling old (and I’m older than you!), I just think about how little I want to go back to my early 20s. Life is much better now.
I loved *NSync too….obsessively! Heck, I still love Justin!! I even have the *NSync board game-ha! I feel old when it comes to fashion. I look at new trends…like the feather hair extensions…and think they look ridiculous!! I probably would have had them in my college years:)
I’m the exact same age as you, and I sometimes feel old when I notice that college kids look so much younger than me now! But at the same time, it feels weird to be plenty old enough to have kid(s) and a husband!
I would have to say that yes… kids do make you feel this way. However… Age is just a number and sometimes just a state of mind. I have a 3 almost 4 year old(who is into that 16 year old wonder) and a 2 year old that could care less. When I listen to my NKOTB or Backstreet Boys CD’s, she begs for Baby Baby Oh… and my son just puts his fingers in his ears.
Now, just because I am getting a little older(I will be 35 in December), doesn’t mean that I can’t still have fun like I did when I was 13 (I was in love with my first Boyband… New Kids on the Block) or again when I was 24 (in love with the Backstreet Boys, however then… I was old enough to make my own money and drive myself to concerts! LOL!). AS a matter of fact… we are heading south to see NKOTBSB perform in concert 2 nights in a row!
Right now… because you are in the thick of being a mommy, it is easy to feel tired and worn out, but that does not mean that you are old… you are just a momma to two wee ones! This too shall pass… and you will feel young again! So… if N’sync ever get back together,(which I highly doubt…) you can go rock it like you are 18 again, and you will feel that way!
Love your blog!
I have teenage daughters (16 and 19) and they keep me updated with all the current music, so now I know who some of the hottest bands are right now. It’s great that we get to share that now. You will get to share that one of these days too! And I think that Hudson just has good taste in music!
I am cracking up because you sound just like me. I turned 30 last week and I feel old. I only have one kid right now but I think that having kids just changes you. My husband is a youth pastor and we find less and less that we can relate to the kids. We understand why youth pastors over 35 are few and far between. I don’t get their music, their clothes, their hair or the way they talk. However, I think what really keyed me in to the fact that I was old was that we went to the beach last week and I realized that I only have one piece swimsuits. And frankly I don’t care. I’ve turned into my mother and I’m okay with that.
It’s cool, I was crushed on JC back in ’99 too
I TOTALLY agree with Emily, I NEVER wanna go back to 20s. I’m loving life now!! 29 is SO not old, ill be 35 this year & am about to have my 2nd child.
. I’m sure ill feel old once she gets here!!
I’m finally tired of listening to all the “POP” music. Aidan will eventually learn “bad” things & I don’t need the radio helping things along.
No I don’t think you’re old. I’m only a couple of years older and I feel the same way about everything you just said! I was a total NSync fan and I just bought 4 BSB cd’s in preparation for the NKOTBSB concert next month. I’m sure my kids will think I’m crazy someday with my music choices!
YES! I’m 32 and totally feel the same way. After the birth of my first daughter I felt like I aged a few years. But since the birth of my second daughter (they are 18 months apart) I immediatly felt that I aged 10-15 years! And it’s hard! And I feel that the clothes are just ridiculous these days. I love wearing dresses during the summer heat. Is is just me or are they all SO short. My general rule of thumb is giving every dress the “bend over test.” I bend over a million times a day. So I’m having a hard time finding dresses that don’t reveal my back side.
This actually happens to me, too! And I’m only 25 and I don’t even have kids yet. I guess it’s just part of getting older – you have more important things to worry about than who the big celebrity crush is or what the cool songs are…
You aren’t old at all! That’s just what happens as you grow up
As a far more experienced 35-year-old (note the sarcasm), I am the same way. While I was never a huge fan of N’SYNC (I was far too mature to like a boy band when they joined the party), I did meet JC back in the Mickey Mouse Club days and I still have the picture – LOL!!! 
I’m 32 and don’t have kids yet, but I struggle with feeling old too! There are certain stores where I feel like I can’t shop anymore. Should I really be in Forever 21 when I’m over 30? And I feel really out of it technologically. I just can’t seem to keep up with new social media and smart phones and other techie gadgets. I think it’s tricky to balance being up to date with certain things but also acting your age and “maturing with dignity” as my mom says
I’m experiencing a lot of the same things, and I don’t have kids! The trampy clothes and the music, especially. When I hang out with my teenage niece and nephew is when it becomes absolutely clear – I am NOT cool anymore, and everybody knows it! LOL
I am 29 also, and I totally think the kids are making me (act) old! I was more of a Justin girl, but I won’t criticize your taste in JC
. Although, if I’m being honest, I was really waaaaay more into Carson Daly while I watched TRL! I think sensible parenting limits what I play for them in the car, and I dread the day that I have to deal with a fascination in the latest Disney pop star (UGH!). My husband apparently has the “cool taste” in music, and every time I turn something on I hear a 3 year old and a 4 year old shout, “No Mom! This isn’t cool music!”
I did buy them an Imagination Movers CD for the car. The beats are pretty good and they’re learning things. Sometimes I’m so sick of whatever is on the radio I listen to them when I’m driving alone in my car…
Oh my goodness YES!! I was just tellingm y husband that the other day!!! I just turned 28 and we just had our first child in May. I feel OLD!! I mean when did I become 28??? I actually called hubby at work yesterday and as he picked up the phone I greeted him with a ” When did I become 28 years old?” I can remember being in Junior High School lookig at someone my age and thinking they were an adult with responsibilities. When did I become that 28 year old ADULT? Don’t get me wrong I love being a wife and Mama more than anything in the world. It’s just surprising to me that I’m all grown up! I hear you on the whole music thing. I always listen to Christian music, country or hits of the 80′s and 90′s! Your post has completely inspired me to blog about his today. I hope you don’t mind if I reference you. From one “old” 28 year old to another I hear ya girl!!
I am much older than you and honestly I do not feel nearly as old as I am. I think that comes from having three young boys myself and being a middle school teacher. I always joke that teaching middle school is like finding the fountain of youth. Being around those kids every day keeps me young and up on the latest music and trends. Age is a state of mind.
I’m 25 with no kids and I feel the same why. Dresses are way to short, most music sucks right now, and I feel like a grandma haha! Teaching elementary school has turned me into a hag.
I’m not a mom, but I do teach 4th grade. This past year especially I have felt completely out of the loop with things. We made a government song up using Katy Perry’s “Firework”. Thankfully I knew that song, but I had no idea who Ke$ha was and I kept calling her “Keesha”. I got many laughs and stares from that one! I also feel older when it comes to dressing for school. I always make sure I shop at stores like Ann Taylor Loft or H&M because I never want to dress similar to the kids. I will be 28 in just a few months and I’m determined to keep up with the kids likes/dislikes next year! Your kids (or my students) will always think we’re not cool until they get to high school and want something. I’ve definitely learned that with my sister being in high school now!
ps. I just found out about 2 days ago Justin Beiber and Selena Gomez were dating. My husband knew before me. I really need to start watching Extra or E! more often!
I don’t have any babies yet but I have had those same feelings as well. I’ll think a little teenage girl was looking trampy and then I remember the days when I was rolling the tops of my Soffe shorts over to make them shorter and choreographing dance routines to “Tearin’ Up My Heart” with my girlfriends.
Hilarious! I feel the same exact way sometimes. We have two boys and I am extra sensitive about what fashion trends I wear because I never want them to embarrass them with my clothing choices. It’s a tough balance between being a “cool” mom and being an “appropriate” mom : ) Give me NSync over the nameless 16 year old any day though…no question.
So funny, even at 25 I feel the same way sometimes! The clothing is where I notice it the most. All of the teenagers out here wear the strangest clothes, and Nick and I are constantly commenting on it in public. We just don’t get it at all!
I also feel the same way if I ever watch anything on MTV. I just don’t understand the teen culture anymore, and that’s something I never thought I’d say. When did I become an adult?
I laughed when I read this post. I tease my husband telling him I’m going to buy some ‘momma-long-butt-jeans’. I’m only 24, but have a 7 month old, and I think that having a baby changes so much. All of the sudden I’m reexamining everything in my closet, trying to make sure I look ‘momma-appropriate’. Great post!
I’m not even a mom and I feel that way! I have no idea what is happening to our youth? Do young girls really find shows like 16 & pregnant entertaining? The other day, a friend of mine’s soon to be step-daughter was sining Rude Boy by Rhianna…she’s 7!!! I was horrified & definitely felt old.
As for NSYNC…I was a Justin fan
I think all of us feel old at some point. I’ll be 26 at the end of this year and I feel SO old. It makes me feel even older to think you are 28 with two kids, and I’m not even going to finished with my education until I’m 28, let alone have already started a family.
I think it’s just a matter of perspective and the situation you are in. You will look back on your life now in 15 years and think, man I am SO old compared to then. It’s just a feeling I guess we will always have once we reach our 20s and start to become adults.
I listen to the same genre of music as you – and, sadly, it’s been that way even before I had kids. I have always said that I was born a few decades too late, in my taste for music. But, I agree with the point of this post – I am feeling older too (I’m 32), and I think it’s due to becoming a parent. I feel like I have graduated indefinitely from stores like Express, to Ann Taylor Loft.
I’m 31 and my favorite use-her-all-the-time-when-she’s-home babysitter is 19. She goes to Texas A&M, which is where I went. So I feel like I can relate to her college stories. I don’t think of myself as being that much older than her. I think I have as much energy as she does. I mean, in my head, I’m her SLIGHTLY older sister.
But the other day she was over and somehow we talked about 9/11. Don’t know what started that conversation. And she said, “I remember that like it was yesterday. Sitting in my 5th grade class…”
I cut her off with, “You were in the FIFTH GRADE when 9/11 happened??!!” That was my “Wow, I am a lot older than I think I am” moment of truth.
The ONLY way that I know anything about music or tv shows, etc. that the teenagers these days are listening to is because I’m in youth ministry and try to listen to them and pretend that I know what they’re talking about until I can research it myself. Thank you LORD for Google phones! I watch Glee not just because I love their renditions of the songs, but because they help me to know what’s popular. I’ve also set my Pandora Radio at work to the Glee station so that I get a good mix of Glee songs, my songs, Broadway songs & the “new” stuff that’s out, too.
You are not the only one struggling with this…believe me! And I’m not even a mom for another 4 months…sheesh…
Agree completely. My student teacher this year had no idea who new kids on the block was and she was born in 1990! I’m almost 29 and she made me feel like a geezer.
there was this email circulating lately that said you know you’re old when…and all my generation things were on it!!! I’m almost 28…..
I feel the same way half the time, ha!
I sat next to two girls who were 16 at lunch yesterday and “overheard” their conversation. I felt like I might as well have a walker and Depends on! It definitely is the having kids thing that makes time stand still… But it’s also so nice to not care about those things anymore! I try to embrace it
I’ve been stalking your blog as we try and decide if we’re ready for baby #2. Thank you so much for your honesty!
Jess
This is hysterical! I am so with you. I will think, “I am a mom, I CANNOT wear that!” I’m just a 32 year old, old woman.
I totally get you! I feel like I am old and I don’t even have any babies yet! My husband loves to tease me when I say I can’t believe I used to wear this! Or I am so tired at 10 pm on a Saturday night. Its what happens!
Between being a new mom and a former teacher of middle schoolers, I feel so old! I have no idea what music is “cool” because I listen to my ipod full of 80′s music.
I had a ridiculous crush on JC when I was a teen. Brian from BSB too, I loved him!
Love this post… had to comment! If you are old….. then I am OLDER, so that is not good. The mom jeans are making a come back he he….. Children do make you feel old- I picked my car bc the back windows had SUN SHADES- OKAY ENOUGH SAID……… I am old!
BUT………..I refuse to give up my style, my LOVE of country music ( Emma Bays loves when I sing to her) and going out and having some cocktails with my friends…. We will ALWAYS HAVE “LADIES NIGHT” and some nights do get crazy.. he he!!!!!
FYI- LUKE PERRY was my LOVE!!!!!!!!!!
Hope all is well- the B-day looked so fun- sorry we missed it! You did a great job, as always!!!
Take Care!
I am with you. I am 28 and only felt old after I had my own little one. Yesterday I was sitting around thinking how old I felt.. but I was only 27…. a few moments passed and I thought… crud I am 28! Don’t worry, we aren’t really old…. we just feel that way currently.
I still get giddy when the Atlanta radio stations do a “throw back” weekend and “Bye Bye Bye” and “No Scrubs” is played on repeat! Now a days it’s the hotdog dance and the neverland pirate band, oh to be young again!
xo
Ha! This completely made my day. I turned 30 in December, had my second child in March and feel so old some days. Since I work full-time outside of the home, everything revolves around my children and husband in the evenings. I haven’t watched a new t.v. program since my son was born during the summer of 2008. I have no clue who the latest music artist are, what the latest songs are or even the t.v. line up but I can tell you what the newest preschool Disney shows are. To be honest that is okay, this is a season in my life that is going too fast. Before I know it my kids will be past this stage and I will wonder where it went.
HAHA! JC was totally my favorite too!! I seriously thought he was the hottest guy out there
I will always have a soft spot for all of the boybands of the 90′s…and NKOTB too! Who cares if it makes us old….those were the days for sure! CUTE post!!! Always nice to take a little trip down pop music memory lane 
XOXO
I’m 32…and feel SUPER old most of the time. And a total prude at that! Ha. But…Four Non Blondes? Ha….You just took me back!! I had to go pull up the video on youtube to jam! Good times.
Old…ha! Girl, I’m 33 & don’t have kiddos yet & I feel old all of the time! I tell my hubs I’m an old soul! I do read People, etc.
so I know who some of the up & comers are, but I often find myself looking at some of the things these people are wearing & just staring! I mean, really!? Is it necessary to have that or this hanging out?! OR, am I jealous of their 40-something body that looks like it’s 18 or am I turning into a prude?! He, he! And as for today’s music, I too have no clue. Give me classic rock, a little country or some good ol’ southern beach music & I’m a happy girl! I truly think I’ve just matured, I’m comfortable in my own skin (even if I think there should be a little less of it 
) & know who I am…and I couldn’t agree more with some of the other ladies that I wouldn’t go back to my 20′s (except for the occasional girls night out or weekend away). Life is waaay too good now! Oh, and Ralph Macchio was my crush for a while until I moved onto Luke Perry–can you imagine my cringe when I saw RM on DWTS!?!?! Ha!
I’m the same age as you but I don’t have kids. No, we’re not old. Although the thought not only did I graduate high school 10 years ago but the little girl I use to babysit is now going off to college sure does make me feel old!
You’re not old. I think there is just a certain point when we don’t necessarily have time to seek out the new stuff on the radio like we used to in high school and college. I am doing my very best to resist against this phenomenon. I kinda have help with my youngest sister and brother being 14. They keep me in the know.
I feel the same way. I just turned 29 in april and often feel the same way
Oh my gosh girl, you just described me to the T!! I am sitting here laughing, because it is soooo true!!