Older Moms with Babies-Why?

[Anonymous]

Yes, grandmothers always talk to me as well! And to one of the PPs, yes, it probably is not related to the age but rather the kind of epople living here. But unlike the PP who was my age, I don't want to move. I'd rather stick it out and live for all the nice people I meet around the area. I just always wondered about that, and I used to take it extremely personally. Now I know that I can expect the feeling of being "invisible" with certain people.

Btw, again, I am not the OP, just wanted to clarify that because I wouldn't want to be associated with the whole grandmother comment.

I don't think it's my kids that may cause this, at least I would hope not. I am very conscious of other kids around us and do my best to make sure my kids don't act like brats.

[Anonymous]

I'm a late 30s mom, live in Georgetown, take my kids to park in G'town all the time -- don't worry young mom, most of the moms do not talk to me either (when there are even other moms there -- many times it is just me and the nannies). The Dads, nannies and grandmas do talk to me though so I suspect it's not me sending off an unfriendly vibe. But the moms don't know me from playgroup or whatever, and they always seem to know at least one other mom there if not several -- so they are usually otherwise occupied. I always seem to be extremely underdressed for the playground as well, as do my kids.

[Anonymous]

Are too!
Am not!
Are too!
Am not!
Are too -- MOM!!!


Who needs the snark thread when we have this one? Awesome post. Thanks for the concise summary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are too!
Am not!
Are too!
Am not!
Are too -- MOM!!!


This is about as mature as all the other posts.

[Anonymous]

So what I've learned from DCUMs is that the Georgetown park is filled with cliques of mean older mommies and there are also loose dogs running around licking and/or tearing the limbs off of toddlers. That sounds like a dreadful place.

[Anonymous]

You know its odd, I had my first at 36 and second at 38, I'm only 4 years older than the OP but I put myself in the category of older moms not younger moms. Most of my friends and neighbors are in their early 40s with young kids and infants. Frankly, I seem older than them at times. Perhaps I am not aging well.

[Anonymous]

PP posters, I really never engage someone in a conversation at a park. I'm one of the people who smiles politely and gives a short answer. I could care less about age. I just hate chit chat, small talk and really just want to play with my kid. When I was in my 20s, I did strike up conversations with strangers all the time and was very interested in new people. Now my energies are simply focused elsewhere. I have plenty of friends, don't need more and I'mn ot looking for new adventures.

The other difference is that I work so when I am with my kid at the park, this is my time to play with her not socialize with another adult. If I was home all day and didn't have any other adult interaction it would be different. Chances are some of the older moms may be like me, they aren't avoiding you because you are young they simply have outgrown their bubbly extroverted natures or want quality time with their kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP posters, I really never engage someone in a conversation at a park. I'm one of the people who smiles politely and gives a short answer. I could care less about age. I just hate chit chat, small talk and really just want to play with my kid. When I was in my 20s, I did strike up conversations with strangers all the time and was very interested in new people. Now my energies are simply focused elsewhere. I have plenty of friends, don't need more and I'mn ot looking for new adventures.

The other difference is that I work so when I am with my kid at the park, this is my time to play with her not socialize with another adult. If I was home all day and didn't have any other adult interaction it would be different. Chances are some of the older moms may be like me, they aren't avoiding you because you are young they simply have outgrown their bubbly extroverted natures or want quality time with their kid.

Ugh-you sound boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP posters, I really never engage someone in a conversation at a park. I'm one of the people who smiles politely and gives a short answer. I could care less about age. I just hate chit chat, small talk and really just want to play with my kid. When I was in my 20s, I did strike up conversations with strangers all the time and was very interested in new people. Now my energies are simply focused elsewhere. I have plenty of friends, don't need more and I'mn ot looking for new adventures.

The other difference is that I work so when I am with my kid at the park, this is my time to play with her not socialize with another adult. If I was home all day and didn't have any other adult interaction it would be different. Chances are some of the older moms may be like me, they aren't avoiding you because you are young they simply have outgrown their bubbly extroverted natures or want quality time with their kid.

Ugh-you sound boring.

I'm not the one who posted this but why is it "boring" to actually want to play with and interact with your kid at the park?! This is why I go too. Seeing Moms engrossed in conversations with other Moms is sad to me. Just like it's sad when I see parents on their cell phones, reading the paper, playing basketball and shooing junior away, or otherwise focused on themselves at a place that is supposed to be focused on the kids. I don't go to the park to find new friends either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP posters, I really never engage someone in a conversation at a park. I'm one of the people who smiles politely and gives a short answer. I could care less about age. I just hate chit chat, small talk and really just want to play with my kid. When I was in my 20s, I did strike up conversations with strangers all the time and was very interested in new people. Now my energies are simply focused elsewhere. I have plenty of friends, don't need more and I'mn ot looking for new adventures.

The other difference is that I work so when I am with my kid at the park, this is my time to play with her not socialize with another adult. If I was home all day and didn't have any other adult interaction it would be different. Chances are some of the older moms may be like me, they aren't avoiding you because you are young they simply have outgrown their bubbly extroverted natures or want quality time with their kid.

I think it sends a nice message to your children if you are friendly to other people, especially towards other moms and kids. And especially if you're not around all day with your child.

Also, since when do people "outgrow" "bubbly extroverted natures?" And how does saying hi and chatting with other people stop you from having quality time with your child?

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I was trying to find the right words to express exactly that. But I was afraid I was going to get flamed again. I am not bubbly or extremely extroverted, but I do enjoy an occational exchange with people who I see on a regular basis. And I still spend quality time with my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP posters, I really never engage someone in a conversation at a park. I'm one of the people who smiles politely and gives a short answer. I could care less about age. I just hate chit chat, small talk and really just want to play with my kid. When I was in my 20s, I did strike up conversations with strangers all the time and was very interested in new people. Now my energies are simply focused elsewhere. I have plenty of friends, don't need more and I'mn ot looking for new adventures.

The other difference is that I work so when I am with my kid at the park, this is my time to play with her not socialize with another adult. If I was home all day and didn't have any other adult interaction it would be different. Chances are some of the older moms may be like me, they aren't avoiding you because you are young they simply have outgrown their bubbly extroverted natures or want quality time with their kid.

I think it sends a nice message to your children if you are friendly to other people, especially towards other moms and kids. And especially if you're not around all day with your child.

Also, since when do people "outgrow" "bubbly extroverted natures?" And how does saying hi and chatting with other people stop you from having quality time with your child?

But she is friendly to other people - she smiles and responds. She just doesn't want to get into a whole conversation. What's wrong with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP posters, I really never engage someone in a conversation at a park. I'm one of the people who smiles politely and gives a short answer. I could care less about age. I just hate chit chat, small talk and really just want to play with my kid. When I was in my 20s, I did strike up conversations with strangers all the time and was very interested in new people. Now my energies are simply focused elsewhere. I have plenty of friends, don't need more and I'mn ot looking for new adventures.

The other difference is that I work so when I am with my kid at the park, this is my time to play with her not socialize with another adult. If I was home all day and didn't have any other adult interaction it would be different. Chances are some of the older moms may be like me, they aren't avoiding you because you are young they simply have outgrown their bubbly extroverted natures or want quality time with their kid.

I think it sends a nice message to your children if you are friendly to other people, especially towards other moms and kids. And especially if you're not around all day with your child.

Also, since when do people "outgrow" "bubbly extroverted natures?" And how does saying hi and chatting with other people stop you from having quality time with your child?

This comment just REALLY makes her sound OLD. Actually not even sure if OLD is the right term b/c there are some really bubbly old people. Just someone who is getting old and really acting it.

Chances are some of the older moms may be like me, they aren't avoiding you because you are young they simply have outgrown their bubbly extroverted natures or want quality time with their kid.

But she is friendly to other people - she smiles and responds. She just doesn't want to get into a whole conversation. What's wrong with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And how does saying hi and chatting with other people stop you from having quality time with your child?

Chances are, if you're chatting with other people, you're not chatting with your child. I'm perfectly happy to chat with people under many circumstances, but like PP, I have limited time at the park with my children, and when I'm there I want to focus on them. I understand that if your circumstances are different, you may feel differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP posters, I really never engage someone in a conversation at a park. I'm one of the people who smiles politely and gives a short answer. I could care less about age. I just hate chit chat, small talk and really just want to play with my kid. When I was in my 20s, I did strike up conversations with strangers all the time and was very interested in new people. Now my energies are simply focused elsewhere. I have plenty of friends, don't need more and I'mn ot looking for new adventures.

The other difference is that I work so when I am with my kid at the park, this is my time to play with her not socialize with another adult. If I was home all day and didn't have any other adult interaction it would be different. Chances are some of the older moms may be like me, they aren't avoiding you because you are young they simply have outgrown their bubbly extroverted natures or want quality time with their kid.

Ugh-you sound boring.

I'm not the one who posted this but why is it "boring" to actually want to play with and interact with your kid at the park?! This is why I go too. Seeing Moms engrossed in conversations with other Moms is sad to me. Just like it's sad when I see parents on their cell phones, reading the paper, playing basketball and shooing junior away, or otherwise focused on themselves at a place that is supposed to be focused on the kids. I don't go to the park to find new friends either.

Because it's good for children to see you engage with the world at large and be exclusively focused on them? It seems strange to disconnect yourself from everyone else in a public place.

As for boring, I have never met an interesting person who actually said, "I have plenty of friends, don't need more and I'mn ot looking for new adventures."