When was the best time of your life?

I hated school and wasn't very happy at home a lot of the time so my best days have been since I married and had my own family. We have had good times and bad times but always in it together, although not without arguments!

Finally, my husband and I are on our own again for the first time in 41 years so, for me, I definitely feel - the best is yet to come I hope we have a long time left to enjoy being together - there are so many people around us who are being left alone either through death or desertion by one or other partner.

Well it certainly wasn't my school days. I had a very loving parents but school wasn't great if you struggled with spelling and reading.

I married in my teens and my early married life was fantastic. Even the power cuts and stikes of the time washed over our heads.The pubs kept open with log fires and candles and we didn't reaally mind the dark. Doing what you wanted when you wanted and having money for the first time......It had to be earnt off course but weekends and holidays were great!

I had DS at 22 and did find it stressful being a SAHM but enjoyed it more when I plucked up the courage to meet up with other young mums and I did enjoy DD and DS2 more. For me the only dark cloud at the time was the constant worry about money, DH under constant treat of unemployment and high interest rates and mortgage repayments. We didn't lose our home but I do remember lack of money was a worry and I did cleaning jobs and out work to keep us afloat.

I love being a mum so much that in my 30s we had 3 more DC and I loved every minute of being their mum. I'm still 'enjoying' their teenage years. I was still awake at 4 am when the taxi dropped DS3 off after a night out. I don't normally stay awake!

Being a GM is fantastic.

I had a fantastic time in the 60s with a boy I adored. I had the best job in the world in the 70s and today I'm beginning to find myself again having begun to gain confidence again after a serious illness. In spite of various problems I now try and seek out and make the most of opportunities that come my way. It's led to meeting some very interesting people and some challenging experiences which I hope will continue for the foreseeable future. I just wish I had more time to explore things further.

That's perfect FlicketyB Love it.

When my DS died aged 46 somebody described her as in the 'prime of her life'.
My DD, aged 17, turned to me and said 'For auntie, any time of her life was the prime of her life.

I hope that applies to me as well.

I never look back. Yes, I loved being a full-time mum, but I wouldn't want to do it again I agree with those who say that the best times are ahead. I may not know what the future will hold, but I intend to enjoy every minute of it

This is it DH and I are fortunate to be "comfortable" financially. We are both retired, and get up when we like and do what we like. Including one or two weekends away a year. All this with the added bonus of our adorable DGS's.
One small down side 21 yr old son is still at home, he attends college but I worry about his job prospects

Rewrite this , it doesn"t scan , from leaving my teens - shy ! every stage and I mean every stage , has been fulfilling and exciting . Long may it continue big time

From leaving my teens , shy every stage , and I mean every stage has been fulfilling and exciting . Long may it continue. [wink big time]

My 30s! Without a shadow of doubt...I was told I looked OK, I felt great, no big health probs..kids were past the dependent stage..only thing..I had 3 really interesting part-time jobs, as I say 2 kids, an active social life, a great supportive hubbie & to top it all a lover!...no wonder I sometimes feel burned out..but what hey! Amazing memories!!

To be fair, I don't think any of us were wishing we were back there! It's just a fact of life that some periods of one's life are happier than others and I don't think there's any harm in reminiscing!

vampire with you all the way, look forward not back, you can't change the past.

The best time is now. I may be ill and a prisoner in my home. I'm much poorer financially than I was but I am happy for the first time in my life. I have a wonderful husband, grown up children, young step children and grandchildren. I don't get shouted at or abused. I have peace of mind. I feel safe.

But I'm hoping that tomorrow will be my best time too. In fact better than today's best time. Then the next day to be even better and so on.

My life started 5 years ago. It's just got better and better and I see no reason why that shouldn't continue.

But I'm not thinking about tomorrow really because if you worry about tomorrow you miss the joys of today. (Sorry that sounds twee but you know what I mean )

To say that any particular time was best for me would be to deny all the other excellent times. I don't want to think about the times which have been bad so often reflect on all the good things in my life. I don't really do nostalgia so I think I will choose now as DH and I are 3 years into retirement, have moved to a lovely part of the country and are very happy.

Just remember - nostalgia is not what it used to be!

So difficult..each phase different.

I had a fabulous early childhood; shared home with adoring parents & extended family so plenty of people to play with. Age 6 had a magical boat journey to live in Tanganyika now Tanzania which, for a child, was an exciting place and full of wonder. I enjoyed a few years in boarding school before parents returned to England in the early 60s. I had a great time in South London as a teen during the second half of the 60's, met my OH in '66 and we had fun during 6th form /college & married in '71. Babies in the mid 70s & four years at home was good too! 80's were really rubbish..stressful time, lost both parents, working full time+parenting and relationship cracked. But back on an even keel by my 40th birthday and career was on the up, did a masters degree and marriage mended. Last 20 years have been good to us: new home, good job I loved, kids graduated & in work, settled with partners and four beautiful grandkids. Now? Another new home, semi retirement close to our kids and we have a good circle of friends we regularly socialise with.
Apart from a chunk in the 80s it's been a lovely life..hope it stays that way but I know nothing is ever guaranteed.

Oh, those were the days, eh, Humbertbear? (Sigh)

I've enjoyed all the very different stages of my life but I loved being a teenager in the 60s in London. We went to lots of clubs and the world seemed full of hope and promise. My mother didn't know anything that we got up to - some of the clubs and the people in them were pretty dodgy and my children say I was wild. I met my husband in 67 and we wore bells, beads and kaftans and went to free concerts in Hyde Park. We were part of a large circle of friends and there was an all night party every Saturday evening. We rented our first flat while I was in the 6th form! I don't know how I ever passed my A levels. Then we moved to a flat in a large house and as other rooms became available our friends moved in so it became a commune.

The best time of my life was definitely the ten years or so between late teenage to late twenties. I had met my first husband, who was the love of my life at that time, and actually learned how to live! I studied for new qualifications, went out and had a good time, made new friends and felt as though I had blossomed.
The later years, motherhood and domestication generally (although still working!) were challenging and fulfilling, but I still look on that decade as my best in terms of life experience.

I was an RAF child and although I didn't realise it at the time, I was having the time of my life. Our postings were in the middle east and not without conflict and danger but children revel in excitement and change. I have plenty to tell the DGCs about those times.

My most wonderful experience was obviously the births of my children, but after DD2 was born I was very depressed so I can't say that was the happiest time of my life. I had a lovely time when I was 15 to 17 and then I made the mistake of tying myself down with my husband.
I suppose the present would be the best time of my life, if my daughter had not continued to make it as miserable as she can.

The best is yet to come.........I hope so

I had a great time in the 60s, just spreading my wings and finding out about the world. Then when my children were small, life was lovely. But I think now, with young grandchildren, is a wonderful time. I am free to do what I want with each day and I've never been more content.

Early twenties with little children, we had very little money, but loved being a mum at that stage.

I agree with ninnynanny, the best time was when my children were small and my mum was alive. I didn't realise it at the time. I love being a nanny to DGS and hope to be a better nanny than I was a mother

I had a lot of fun in my late 20s in Kenya. Great job, good social life, wonderful climate, fantastic holidays.