- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Parenting after 35
stever
member
In honor of getting older: a getting to know you questionaire
stever
member
I just turned 37. I spend my days feeding, changing and entertaining a one year old.
When I was 27 I temped all over San Francisco, learned German in Germany and learned how to cook on a crappy electric range in a studio apartment I shared with DH.
When I was 17 I got my first car, lost my virginity and graduated from high school.
When I was 7 I lived in the mountains, had a dog called Jake and wished my parents would get divorced.
What were YOU doing 10, 20, 30 years ago?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: In honor of getting older: a getting to know you questionaire
Great idea!
I'm 36, 37 in December. Right now, I spend my days doing what little work comes across my desk, looking for a job, planning DD's 2nd birthday party, and hanging out with her in the evenings. On the weekends, I pretty much do kid or family related activities.
When I was 26, I graduated from law school, spent the summer studying for the bar, got and furnished my first apartment as a "grown-up," and spent a decent amount of time out on the town with my friends and going to concerts.
When I was 16, I was in high school, on the drill team and in drama, still taking weekly piano lessons, still in my Senior Girl Scout Troop -- although there was no more camping unless it was on the beach at Campland -- and spent my time prepping for the SATs, doing my homework, going to the mall and raising some money for my GS troop's trip to New York and DC.
When I was 6, I loved going to school, reading, my Girl Scout Troop (Brownies), and my ballet and tap classes with the girl who is still my BFF today.
Awesome idea.
At 41, I work full time being a psychologist and supervising 8 people at a rural community mental health center. I am also a full time mommy and Tim and I have a very full social calendar.
At 31, I had been married five years to Tim. I had been licensed for two years and had just become the supervisor of the office that I work in now.
At 21, I had just completed my BA in Psychology and started my MA in Psychology. I had started dating Tim and had moved back home with my parents because the house I was living in during undergraduate school had belonged to my grandparents and it had been sold.
At 11, I was in 6th grade. I took violin lessons, sang in the church folk group, and was on the YMCA swim team. I was very geeky and awkward.
And since I can, at 1, I was the center of my parents' universe.
I am 38, I spend my days feeding, changing and entertaining a 16 month old and twin 2 month olds. If it's a nice day, I take all 3 to the park for a nice looooong stroll. When my DH gets home from work, on a few rare occasions, I get out and do some food shopping.
When I was 28, I was living with DH (my BF then) in a 700 sq ft house with another roomate, cramped like sardines and wondering where in the world my life was going. Little did I know that the POS job that I had started 3 yrs earlier would end up being the wonderfully successful career that I LOVE doing now.
When I was 18, I worked part time, was graduating from HS and applied to all sorts of Art schools all around the country, got accepted to almost all those Art schools including Parsons, but decided to stay local because of my then BF (mistake!). I was madly, deeply in love with my BF (later to be my fiancee) who decided to end our HS love a few years later by cheating on me with my best friend. (bastards!)
When I was 8, I lived only a city over from where I live now. Was a majorette and was parading around the local cities all over S. FL during all the local holidays and local events. I also did tap and jazz and played with all my Barbies.
I'm 40. I spend my days taking care of my funny handful of a 14-month-old while working in a faltering family business. If it's a good day, my DH gets home at 7:25 pm after a 12 hour day and I get to spend a few hours with him, letting our rented condo go to pot because we're both too tired to clean. But 10 years ago I never thought I'd find love, get married or have my precious baby boy. So the day-to-day suckiness is bearable.
When I was 30, I was single and working for Prentice Hall as a desktop/layout editor. That May, I went on a dream vacation (2 weeks) to Australia with a college friend (who recently told me to F off, see my blog). That Summer one of my two BFFs got married. Then my cousin did. Then I became clinically depressed and went into therapy. I adopted my dog, Casey, that August. That September my first grandparent, my beloved grandfather, Aaron, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at age 83. It was a year of ups and downs for me.
When I was 20, I was in college at Hofstra University. I liked school. I had a group of friends. I do remember going to several awesome rock concerts that year: Eric Clapton, Rush (more than once) and we had a family vacation to Disney World for my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. We stayed at the Grand Floridian. It was pretty awesome.
When I was 10, I had a slumber party for my birthday. That year (I was actually still 9) was my first plane ride?to Florida to visit my paternal grandparents who had moved to Delray Beach. I turned 10 in Florida, actually. It was the first Passover Seder. School sucked. I was bullied (see my blog) and hated school. But I had a few nice friends, who I recently got in touch with via Facebook.
When I was 0 (LOL), I was the firstborn, much adored baby girl of a SAHM who formerly taught 3rd grade (and hated it) and a former Chemical Engineer who got fired when I was 6 months old and had just bought a house (which I am moving back into next Winter). My parents survived and my dad went into sales. I'm told I was an easy baby.
Bronx Zoo: Summer 2013
To read my blog, click on the giraffe pic below!
I'm 37. I am a single mom to a 14 month old. I spend my days working at the Zoo, my evenings with my little man, and my nights doing online classes or playing World of Warcraft.
At 27 I was 2 years into a relationship with a man I was completely in love with and we had just moved in together. We had the conversation about him not wanting kids and shortly thereafter he had a vasectomy even though I wasn't happy about it. (we broke up 6 years later)
At 17... I was a senior in high school... going to day school, night school, and working part time.
At 7, I was in second grade at Fairhaven Elementary in Klamath Falls, OR. I broke my two front permanent teeth and had to get them capped. lol. My mom must have flipped out, I know I would if Liam did that, lol.
At 43, I am a SAHM and am completely in head-over-heels in love with my little boy and my wonderful husband. We have a nice home in a beautiful area and live is so good... for now. Just hubby's job in-security is making us a little nervous, though.
At 33, I'm a bit fuzzy on my dates, since I moved a lot and switched jobs often. But I was for sure working as a television news producer (Think Holly Hunter in Broadcast News). Pretty sure that was in Denver. I think I'd just met my now-husband by then, too.
At 23, I was working at a TV station near my hometown in Iowa. Crazy post-college days. Lots of partying and alcohol abuse and an on-again off-again boyfriend/fuuck buddy who is still a friend today. He and hubby are in the same fantasy football league--yikes.
At 13, I was in 8th or 9th grade or so? I was gawky, tall, skinny and absolutely the biggest nerd ever.
And since I can go there, too--At age 3, I was a handful. Lots of tantrums. Living up to my redheaded reputation.
At 39, I live in San Francisco, work as a director in a large health care organization, love being a mama to our wonderful 14-month old daughter and being married to a great guy. In my spare time, I enjoy training for and running marathons.
At 29, I lived in London, living with the American guy who brought me to San Francisco a few years later (who is not my husband), went out rave clubbing every weekend until the morning hours and slept entire Sundays after that. I worked in management consulting and had no idea I'd move to San Francisco the next year. I was also firm on never wanting children.
At 19, I was studying mathematics in Vienna (Austria). I planned to become a professor for abstract mathematics at the University of Vienna. I was dating my high school boyfriend (who is not my husband) and we planned to get married after finishing university.
At 9, I was in elementary school in Baden, the small town close to Vienna where I grew up. I didn't even speak a word of English at that time. I loved horseback riding and planned to be an actress when I grew up.
My Blog
Wow I picked a really good night to join your board!
I turned 36 this summer and I spend my time trying to be a good wife, juggling a demanding finance job, feeding, changing and entertaining my infant son who's at an on site day care, trying to keep up with friends and family and grow spiritually.
When I was 26 I bought my first house and first brand new car on my own. I considered it to be one of the happiest times in my life. I loved my life, friesn and living in Florida (Glad I got the ME time in when I could).
When I was 16 I was going to high school, working part time at a dental office, rebelling for the first time and plotting on how I could be declared an emancipated minor. (I was successful in doing so at 17)
When I was 6 a started first grade. That 's when I started laying a foundation that would come back to haunt me -- I was really smart but hated doing homework. Today I am still the biggest procrastinator.
I am 36, I spend my days feeding, cleaning, chasing, bathing, and taxiing a 4 year old & 2 month old
When I was 26, I was working during the day, going to school @ night and spending my weekends with DH. I lived in a nice 1 bedroom apt, that was all mine, and had a decent job.
When I was 16, I was a junior in HS, a Varsity song leader. Got my 1st part time job @ baskin robbins/31 flavors.
When I was 6 I was in parochial school, lived in an apartment with my mom, had to get rid of my cats, had a lot of fun.
I am 39 married and a SAHM. I love being a mom and cannot even imagine my life without her! It has been a difficult adjustment staying at home. I have worked most of my life and still miss the routine work brings! I am happy where I am now!
At 29 I was a general manager for Bruegger's Bagels and running my own store. I lived in a small town and used to walk to work everday. I loved living on my own and was very independent! I was married when I was 23 and that only lasted a year. I thought I would throw that in!
At 19 I was in college and living with my parents. I never went away to college and always felt like I missed out on those years. I was also diagnosed with melanoma. Thank God everything was ok and I quickly recovered. I decided at that time life was worth living to its fullest and you never know when a curve can be thrown!
At 9 I was in elementary school. I loved being in school plays and played the violin.
Wow this is a great thread!!
At 38, I work FT for a non-profit organization's journal's advertising dept while my sweet baby doll plays happily 5 miles away. My life is hers now and once we free up some debt, I'm outta here and with her.
At 28, I had just moved away from my then 8yo nephew and brother- the hardest thing I had to do in my life up to that point (I lived with them for four years and basically became my nephew's momma- we're still very close to this day). I was dating my now husband for several months and enjoying my first place all to myself.
At 18, I was at Columbia College Chicago trying to focus on journalism but dropping it to focus on fiction writing. This is when I started to let go of letting my crappy childhood dictate my life.
At 8, life was good- damn good. I was in 3rd grade, I had lots of friends, I was a huge tomboy who dreamt of being the first professional soccer player for the Chicago Sting (ha!)... and it all ended the following year when my parents split but explained nothing to me.
click the pic (blog)
This is fun and interesting. I do feel a little boring.
I'm 40. I work full-time as an accounting director. I have been with the same company for 18 years and married to my high school sweetheart since I was 18. My evenings and weekends are spent with my girls. I am blessed that my sitter is my neighbor across the street so I go home and spend every lunch with my LO.
When I was 30, things were pretty much the same. My girls were 10, 4 and 2. I was a girl scout leader and enjoyed it so much.
When I was 20, I had just had my first beautiful daughter and was working on my accounting degree.
When I was 10, Live was good and simple, I lived in IL and dreamed of being a professional baseball player.
I'm a sometimes poster here, but I'll play.
I'm 37 and happily expecting my 2nd baby. I work FT as a business analyst (sort of a liaison btwn technology and business). Evening, weekends, and any other free time are spent entertaining, laughing at, and playing with my 1 yo DD. DH, DD, and I live in the suburbs with our Catahoula Leopard Dog.
At 27, I was living in Philadelphia and enjoying life in the city - restaurants, bars, and regular runs near the Art Museum.
At 17, I was a sr. in high school in Upstate NY and working as a cashier for Wegman's grocery store.
At 7, I was loving life, playing outside every day, with lots of woods nearby. We got our first family dog when I was 7!
Great idea, love getting to know everyone a little more!
I'm 42 and spend my days mountain biking, hiking, snowshoeing and occasionally snowboarding along with owning and operating a small business that pays the bills while taking care of a very sweet, active 13 month old along with 2 yellow labs and 3 cats. I feel like I've achieved a perfect balance between work and motherhood, and I feel like I have finally grown up.
At 32, DH and I had just left Los Angeles and moved to the mountains...Tahoe is truly the most beautiful place on earth! I was studying for the Bar Exam and trying to figure out how the hell to pay off my $86,000.00 in law school loans. I was still very immature.
At 22, I was living in Canada and working at first job after graduating University while trying to figure out what warm, sunny state to move to...Florida or California. I still had a ton of growing up to do.
At 12, I was a tomboy with ADHD and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.
At 2, I was making my parents' life a living hell for having dared to have a second child, which is part of the reason DH and I are one and done!
I'm 38, I'm an attorney. I work 3 days a week in a litigation position I don't love but is tolerable (and I am very lucky to find part time work in my profession). The rest of my week I spend with my beautiful and very active 12 month old daughter, my hubby and our two cats in sunny Southern California. Except for $$ being tight, life is pretty good right now.
At 28, I was just graduating law school and in a relationship with a very selfish guy, who thank god, I did not marry! My marriage clock was ticking big time and I too, was at a loss for how in the heck I was going to pay off over $100K in student loans. Still making payments on those loans, which is part of why I am still in the profession
I was living in Silicon Valley and realized I really missed being near the ocean.
At 18, I was living on my own (moved out at 17) working retail and trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life! I had no idea at the time and was taking various classes at community college to try and figure it out. Eventually I got my paralegal degree and that started me on the path to being a lawyer. I was living in the Seattle area where I grew up and was very immature.
At 8, I was in 4th grade, I think... living with my dad for the first time on Whidbey Island (my parents split when I was 2) and really liking being with him, but not liking my then stepmonster. Had some therapy later to get over that one.
It's really fun to read about everyone else!
What an interesting thread! When I started trying to remember what had happened for each of these years it was interesting to me that so many of the MAJOR events in my life happened the year after each of these.
Makes me wonder what is next year!
I am 37 and a WAHM to our first DS (we are hoping for one more LO- but thrilled with L). I design geocoins and an occasional pendant or award medallion while trying to be an attentive Mommy to a beautiful, smart and active nine month old. Married to an amazing man that I never even dreamed I would deserve and overall pretty damn happy with life.
At 27 I was married to my ex, struggling with depression and infertility. Working 60+ hours a week trying to be the GM of two big-box retail stores that were in process of being closed down. 27 was the year before I finally decided that I was in charge of my life, and any changes would have to be my responsibility. It was my last year of complacency.
At 17 I was an emancipated minor, living alone in an apartment a few blocks from my high school. Struggling to come to terms with a miscarriage, a cheating military husband, working full time, going to high school, doing community theater and just enjoying my first taste of freedom! 17 was the year before I up and moved to Vegas on a whim!
At 7 I was a carefree happy kid! 7 was the year before my family moved from eastern to western Washington and the year before my innocence and childhood died.
I'm 38..work part-time as a librarian. Live with my baby girl, husband, 2 dogs, 2 cats and a bird in suburbia. Enjoy wine, reading, spending Saturday night watching movies with my husband...oh how things have changed in the last decade. I'm feeling good about life, even though I suffered the loss of my beloved Dad this year, so 38 hasn't been the happiest of years.
At 28 - Recently had moved to Michigan where I was working as a Events Coordinator for a bookstore, clubbing, traveling, long-distance relationship with my now husband, although we did break up for a few months...until I realized, or we both realized, we couldn't stay apart. Spent my vacations by going to England to visit family and going to Paris and Seattle.
At 18 - Living in Maryland, right outside of Washington D.C. Spent Senior year of HS in a new school, after moving from Germany. I a trip to Spain with my BF, who still lived in Germany, after our high school graduation. Started college this year...drinking too much and having too much fun.
At 8 - Living in Ipswich, England. Hanging out with my three best friends all named Samantha and really into Adam Ant and Bucks Fizz. Took a yearly family trip to Great Yarmouth, visiting the grandparents in England and Ireland...being surrounded by extended family is something I really missed after we moved two years later to America..although we did move back to Europe for my teenage years!
I just turned 37.. & this things only seem to be getting better with age.. stay at home (not originally by choice) to the three best little boys in the whole wide world, with a loveable but loud dog & a very shy cat. My life is all about chaos right now - but I love it!
At 27.. I was dating & living with my now husband. Working my arse off at a large software company designing Web sites & working out & having so much fun!
At 17... I was in my senior year of high school. Having the time of my life, playing volleyball & hanging out with friends. Hating my home life.
At 7... I was playing with my older brother or I should say he was probably torturing me in some way ; ) Running around free in our neighborhood & knowing when it was time to come home for dinner. So funny how life changes.
Me too! Thank you for coming up with this, I love this post!
Right there with you!!
I'm 40, about to turn 41. I do behavioral science research at a university, currently employed half time. But constantly writing grant proposals, too, because I'm on soft money, so it's more like 100+% time for 50% pay. MWF, I get to spend 3 hours in the afternoon with my awesome almost 2 year old DS after he finishes his nap at "squee-school." Earlier this year, I completed a vocal performance degree at a local state college, and am singing in a couple of professional choirs, section leader at church, and trying to pick up gigs here and there. I live with DH, DS, Smokey the dog, and hoping for a second child.
At 30, almost 31, I bought a condo, was dating my now DH, was playing ice hockey on a women's travel team 9 months out of the year, and had just decided that even though I had a Ph.D. and all through grad school I'd planned to become a professor, I preferred the research-only gig and stopped reading the job postings for tenure track positions. I still had my awesome Carlos the dog, and then BF now DH had just gotten Smokey the dog. I had just come back from my third trip to Europe in 5 years.
At 20, almost 21, I was in my senior year of college. Was sort of lonely because most of my closest friend were the year ahead of me at school, and I broke up with my 2.5 year boyfriend at the beginning of the school year. Actually, I was just entering a very fun at the time, cringe-worthy now, time of dating around for the first time in my life. But at the same time, I'd finally found my groove in research and was applying to grad schools.
At 10, almost 11, I was in 6th grade. My beloved trio of 3 of us girlfriends had become 2+1, and I was the 1. We're now FB friends, so it's OK, right? Anyway, I was taking weekly piano lessons, playing basketball and softball, and like several others above, dreaming of becoming a professional athlete (baseball). Or a broadway star. Or a private detective, somewhere between Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Agatha Christie, and Charlie's Angels. I now had a sister, whom we adopted when I was almost 7.
At 0 almost 1, I was being cared for by my SAHM who hated being a SAHM, had never babysat and was an only child, and wasn't getting a lot of support, it turns out, from my dad, who as far as I knew, hung the moon until he died when I was 23. Emotional support in that he adored me, yes, but apparently he didn't change a single of my diapers. I think my mom still resents *me* for all of this.
At 39, I am a Mom, a wife, a sister, and a daughter. I work for my parents running their Surf Shop in a small beach town. I am happy with what my life is now. Small group of friends. Time with family. Life is good. I smile every day because of my daughter.
When I was 29, I was fooling around with my now DH. We were each other's booty call. I was roomates with my sister in the house that she owned. My life was all about going out and hanging with friends. God only knows how much I spent that year at bars and restaurants.
When I was 19, I was in College, but not taking it seriously. I wish I could go back and smack some sense into my 19 year old self. I was still with my HS sweetheart. We were together from my freshman year of HS until my sophomore year of College. I wish I would have dated more then. He sure did.
When I was 9, I don't remember much. Well, anything, really. I know where I lived. I know life was happy, but I do not remember most of my childhood. Weird, I know. My parents were awesome - very loving and supportive. I went to a Catholic grade school and had lots of friends. I just don't remember any real details.
All of you are so interesting. I feel very vanilla compared to you all.
Bea - Parsons? Wow! You must be talented!
Kimisue - I just want to hug the seven year old you.
I love this thread!
At 42 I am a stay at home mom in Petaluma and a recently retired game designer, just back from Montreal, very much in love with my daughter and my French common-law husband, waiting impatiently for my furniture to arrive. I am the Answer (I will never tire of saying that.)
At 32 I was in San Francisco as Sega's first party test manager in the US, considering a company/career switch to design since I knew that was as far as I would make it at Sega. I was also a model for Stormy Leather and had just had an awful broken engagement, prompting some very irresponsible behavior.
At 22 I was a philosophy and logic dropout from the University of Colorado, living in Boulder, working at McGuckins and then a bookstore, spending most of my time on my mountain bike, in my rock shoes, or on a snowboard. I was embroiled in personal life drama all the dang time.
At 12 I was a tortured little girl, already stacked like a porn star, diagnosed autistic but no one could figure out whether to put me with the gifted kids or the special needs classes. The family moved to Florida this year, which DID NOT HELP. To this day I refuse to set foot in Florida because my time there was so awful. Yes, I know it's irrational.
At 2 my mom had just had my little sister, and I was displeased. Also, according to my mom, I was reading comics.
I'm 39 and will be turning 40 next month. Now I'm a mom to Rachel and my border collie/aussie mix Murphy, and a wife. I'm a project manager/business analyst for a financial services company.
When I was 29, I was single, living in Denver and Sales Manager for the same financial services company that I work for today. I went to Cozumel with some of my girlfriends and was in a bowling league.
When I was 19, I was a student at the University of Colorado in Boulder living on the hill across from a fraternity house. I was a party girl and probably should have gone to class more often.
When I was 9, I lived in Virginia with my family. I had Dalmatian/English springer spaniel mix named shadow, a bird. I broke my arm that year. I would go to my grandmother's cottage in Michigan for a week in the summer and would swim all the time and go water skiiing.
Fun, fun post - but man am I boring!
I am 40 and am a SAHM to DS #1 (in college) and #2 (Senior in HS) and DD (in diapers). I love swimming and learning about and taking photos and wishing I was better at both.
When I was 30, I was re-entering the workforce and trying like mad to get out of a disasterously abusive marriage. It took a while and even then, he wouldn't sign the d*mn papers for 2 years.
When I was 20, I had moved across the country by myself in my little black Fiero and then got married. As a newlywed, I was filled with all these hopes and dreams (le sigh... stupid, stupid girl!). 3 months later I was pregnant with DS#1. He was due on our 1st anniversary.
When I was 10 - I was living with both parents (later they divorced) completely oblivious to the trouble they were having. They rarely fought in front of us. I loved my bobtailed white cat, Sugar, more than just about anything else. We lived in the country on 5 acres, next to my dad's identical twin and my cousins on their 5 acres. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
10 years before that - I was a twinkle in my daddy's eye!
37~ Teaching first grade in Detroit, wife and mother, and constantly striving to be better, smarter, and healthier.
At 27, I was just stretching my legs as a relatively "green" teacher, dating DH, and not thinking about having kids. I was living in the house I purchased on my own (in 1999), and loving the fact that I'd done it by myself (I hear ya, Lux Diva).
At 17, I was beginning my senior year of high school, where I was a cheerleader (though you'd never be able to tell it now) and otherwise nerd, believing that one day I would change the world
At 7, I was happily enjoying life, living with my mom and sister (parents had divorced on year prior), loving school and getting on my (14 y.o.) sister's nerves.
Love this thread!
I am 41. I spend my days in sales and my nights and weekends with the sweetest baby boy. I have a great husband and two wonderful stepdaughters.
When I was 31, I was dating Tom, who I later married. We lived in Redondo Beach, CA and really enjoyed each other's company. I worked hard and completely loved my job until this psycho-double-life-living freak became my boss. I left 6 months later.
When I was 21, I was in college. I am not sure I even attended half of my classes at that point. I was so into social aspect and not at all concerned with academics. I am actually really ashamed that I didn't apply myself at all. Somehow, I graduated. I still have dreams once a week or so that I am headed to go take a final exam and have to ask someone for directions to the class as I've never been there.
I can't remember when I was 11. I just recall being awkward and not very confident (who at 11 is)?
Me too.
I am 37, a proud momma to a beautiful healthy baby girl (who is almost 1), and I spend my days working full time in a job that is too stressful, wishing that we would win the lottery so I could be a SAHM- which has always been my dream. My DH is awesome and we are getting ready for a full house in the spring!! Lucky enough to live right around the corner from my BFF again about 45 minutes away from where we grew up.
When I was 27, I was living in Rochester, MN with a boyfriend that I thought I was going to marry. I was teaching special ed, loved the kids I worked with, even the 45 minute commute was not too bad, because the drive was absolutley gorgeous. Then I was in a horrible car accident and had to be hospitalized for a month at the Mayo Clinic. Was told I would never walk again, had a tramautic brain injury, as well as many other injuries. I moved back to NJ, boyfriend broke up with me while I was recovering. Which ended up being a blessing in disguise. (but one of the roughest years of my life nonetheless)
When I was 17 I was a freshman in college in NJ and living it up in the co-ed dorms! I loved being away from home and never really looked back after that.
When I was 7 I lived in NJ in a great little community that was safe and so much fun to explore. My BFF lived right around the corner and my parents were still married. I had no idea they would ever get divorced.
I'll play!
I am 45. I am married and have 3 grown kids, a 16 yo, and Princess B. I work full time as a nurse in the PICU.
At 35 I was divorced from my first husband and just starting to date my current husband. I was a single mom of 4 (12, 11, 9, and 6), was in school for nursing pre-reqs, and working full time as a 911 dispatcher.
At 25 I was pregnant with my third child and a SAHM of 2 DDs (2 and 1). Not sure how I did it, to be honest!
At 15 I was a junior in high school and in the marching band and choir. I was just beginning to be a real handful and was shuttled between my mom and dad quite frequently.
At 5 I was at the center of a custody battle complete with my mom stealing me from my dad. I remember when she came and got me but had no clue to what was going on. Dad never bothered to come after me.
I am 39 years old - mother to a just-turned-one-year-old, and wife to an amazing man that is better than I ever thought I deserved. I work full time and struggle with balancing being the best mom/wife/daughter/sister/friend/employee I can be. I live in the greater Tampa Bay area.
When I was 29, I was living in the Fort Lauderdale area and had been at my (current) job 7 years. I was living on my own for just over a year (had always had roomates before) and I was in a relationship for 2.5 years with someone 12 years my senior, who also worked at the same company. That relationship would come to an end in the coming months, but we still remain friends to this day.
When I was 19, I was desparately trying to hold on to a long-distance relationship with my first love. He lived on the East coast of Florida - I lived on the West Coast. I didn't last much longer (although we ended up reconnecting 3 years later and were together another 3 years). I was working as a pre-school teacher and loved working with all the kids - it was just so natural for me. I was living at home with my parents and younger brother. I didn't realize until a couple years later that my dad was an alcoholic (after he was fired and went into rehab). My parents couldn't afford college and I was working to save up money so I could go to school for nursing (which I did, and I've never used the degree/license!). I lived in Cape Coral, Florida (Fort Myers area - SW Florida).
When I was 9 - hmmm, what grade is that? 4th? Let's go with that - I was living at home with my 2 brothers, 2 sisters, parents and dog Snowball. My best friends all lived on the same block and we played outside ALL the time - just had to be home by the time the streetlights came on! I was terribly shy and still struggle with that sometimes. I was a very good student and a very good daughter - my parents never had to worry about me. Our family struggled financially, but I always had everything I needed (a home, clothes, food, toys and love!). We took family trips to the library and loved picking out books and having my mom read to us. We camped a lot for vacations. I lived in Naperville, Illinois (suburb of Chicago).
What a cool thread!!
I am 39 years old (well, I will be in a week so I'll go with that) and I am a full time working mom to my 2.5 year old daughter and 1 month old son. I am lucky enough to work from home full time but my job in the Tax IT dept of a Big 4 accounting firm is somewhat stressful and not one that is really fulfilling to me; it is a job, not a career or avocation, but it pays extremely well, I'm good at it, and the telecommuting is such a huge perk I can't give it up. I've been married for 4 years to a wonderful, wonderful man who is totally different than the type of man I thought I'd end up with, and I could not be happier! We live in the Dallas area in the dream house we built 2 years ago.
When I was 29 I left my job at a different Big 4 firm (now defunct) and moved from Chicago to San Francisco to start at the company I work for now as an IT/Tax consultant. I didn't know anyone in SF but wanted warmer weather and thought it would be nice to live closer to my sister in LA - too bad I didn't own a car and didn't have enough money to fly to see her very often! I still hadn't dated anyone seriously and since I didn't know anyone in SF I spent a lot of time on my own exploring the city - well, on the weekends as my new job sent me to Detroit every week! I was starting to believe I would never get married but I was getting okay with it; being on my own so far from friends and family helped me feel stronger and more independent and I really started to get comfortable in my own skin and to come into myown.
When I was 19 I was a sophomore in college at Northwestern University in the Chicago area and having a great time! I loved college; I loved being in the Chicago area and having access to the big city and I really enjoyed my freedom and independence. I partied some but fortunately always with good friends so I managed not to get into much trouble. I didn't have very much self-esteem about my appearance since I was overweight and not too skilled in areas of fashion and style and I was way too obsessed with the fact that I did not have a boyfriend. I actually thought that in college I would meet more mature boys who would get to know the real me and appreciate me for the person inside and I was really bothered that it hadn't happened yet (ah, the naivete of youth!). I had some really good friends, though, including one guy that I ultimately fell in love with and thought was my soul mate and the man I'd eventually marry; unfortunately, he never felt the same although it took me 6 years to finally accept that, which contributed directly to the lack of a serious relationship during that time period.
When I was 9 we had just moved to the house where my parents still live today and I was starting to make some friends in the neighborhood, including the girl who lived in the house behind ours who is still one of my best friends today. I was a happy kid who gave my parents a normal amount of trouble. I was also a teacher's pet and nerd-in-training who preferred reading and watching TV to sports. I played with my Barbie dolls and was starting to read teen romance novels, which eventually led to adult romance novels, all of which I think distorted my view of relationships for a long time. But back then I was just a happy, innocent kid who liked to read about happy endings.
Hmmm....
I"m 37, married for 6 years to the man I was engage to for 8 years off and on before getting hitched. We have 10 month. I am a SAHM and currently live for DS naps so i can actually get things accomplished around the house. Seriously though, i love the dickens out of my Punkadoodle, he just wears me out.
At 27.... lets see that would be the year 2000.... I was performing in regional theater doing various musicals and had considered eloping with Dh in secret and getting married again later on in public, but decided not to because at the time DH was living several states away.
17....I also lost my virginity like Stever... and cried the whole time. One of the stupidest things I've ever done... not having sex, but having it then with that person. A person working security at the retail place i worked that now doesn't exist anywhere.
Age 7....That would be.....1980....2/3rd grade......ummm...wow....I got nothing....2nd-had my favorite teacher of all time I think....3rd grade got in trouble for playing games with the boys on the playground because i was wearing a skirt. The arguments about that took up practically the entire class period from recess until we went home that day.
At 37, I am the haggard working mother of one cute little 3 1/2 month old. I love him so much that the idea of having another (even though I am a proud and happy only child myself) sounds like a good idea.
At 27, I had been dating my current husband for about two years, commuting 100 miles to see him on weekends. I was softening a bit on the idea of kids, but I still wasn't even sure I liked to visit them, let alone give birth to one and raise it.
At 17, I was working at a movie theater and starting my first year of college. I never wanted to get married or have kids. I hated everyone who thought the movie theater was their baby sitter.
At 7, I finally entered public school. I had been going to private montessori schools from the time I was 2, so this was a big transition year for me. I had outgrown baby dolls and was firmly entrenched in the Barbie doll love. I also had my first celebrity crush, Rick Springfield, aka Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital.