I'm two years older than my boyfriend, but to us, we don't really notice, or care, about the age difference. Of all my previous boyfriends, who were older than me, I've ended up heartbroken and hurt. With my current boyfriend, I'm happier than I've ever been. However, my family constantly makes fun of me for this. Today I went to my uncle's house to celebrate my mother's bday, my bday, my aunt's bday, and my uncle's bday, (we all have bdays in september), and my cousins, and my little sister all made comments like "So do you enjoy robbing the craddle?", and "How are you and your little kid boyfriend?" When I was with my ex, who treated me like crap and constantly made me cry, my family never said anything about it. But now that I'm happy with someone, they are making fun of me. I don't understand why they can't be happy for me that I've found someone that I truly want to share a future with, and possibly marry someday. I left my uncle's house early today, left without saying goodbye to anyone because I was almost in tears at that point. I don't know what to do about it, should I confront them? Or should I just ignore them like it doesn't bother me?
confront them and explain to them how he makes you happy. hopefully your family will understand and stop. besides, age is nothin' but a number.
i think they are just kidding, or jealous. either way just insult them back, call them fat or old, or confront them a bit. just be confident in your own decisions, as long as your happy, you dont need them to approve.
2 years isn't that big a deal.. they must be joking around with you... are all the couples in your family the exact same age? you want me to come with you to the next family dinner? you can tell them i'm your cougar lesbian lover and we're going to vermont to get married... that'll shut them up when you go back with your now boyfriend. good luck with all this either way.
Boogabaah, I think if I did that my dad would have another heart attack, but thank you for the offer.
I think its absolute bull about what they say... Im the same age as your sister, and she was with that dillion kiid that was exactly your age I hate what they say about us, and they need to stop... But whatever happens... I wont stop loving you
Yeah, they are oblivious to these things. I agree, they need to stop. I've already decided I'm not going to the next family function. And I won't stop loving you either.
Boogabaah: you can tell them i'm your cougar lesbian lover and we're going to vermont to get married... That sounds hilarious. Especially if explained over dinner. With the all important line "we met when she got out of prison... no, no, it was nothing serious, the little kid will be fine someday..."
I think that your family is probably happy for you and only intends to give you a a little ribbing. They're probably just happy that you're out of the abusive situation and don't really know how to address that appropriately. Anyway, I would firmly but not accusatorily tell them how you feel about it.
Just don't be so sensitive, who gives a fuck. I mean, they could say a lot worse am I right? I know this isn't directly applied to your family, because I doubt they are bullies, BUT 'If you ignore them, they will stop.' Sound familiar?
I believe- and I am saying this with the utmost respect- that it wouldn't bother you so much if you didn't feel weird about what you are doing. Unless they are actually malicious in their intent (do they actually want you to break up with him?), then I think they are just trying to be funny. Perhaps they don't know what else to say? It's a weird thing, seeing people in your family go off and have boyfriends and girlfriends and stuff, and some family members feel threatened by this new person in your life or even protective of you. They may not know how to handle the situation, so they keep making the same tired joke over and over again. I think you should try not to be so sensitive to it, maybe laugh along with them- roll your eyes and say "oh yeah, two years is such a huge gap, he's practically a toddler." Does it bother your boyfriend that they joke about his age? Is he one of those guys that is really sensitive about it, in turn making you yourself sensitive about it? If so, you shouldn't take his problems onto yourself. If he loves you, he will accept your family and it's quirks. No one is making an attack on his personal character, and even if you feel they are attacking yours, it doesn't seem like anything other than a joke. If you've thought this all through, and it still bugs you, then talk to them about it. They might be shocked to hear that it brought you to tears, because hoenstly, it doesn't sound so terrible. I don't mean to sound insensitive to you, though. You react the way you do for a reason, and that's not wrong. It may be indicative of a deeper issue that you might want to explore, though.
