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(489 Posts)
CariGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 14-Feb-14 16:51:26

How do you feel about getting older? Whether it's a pet peeve or, equally, something you like, let us know (in no more than two sentences) and you could appear in a brand new novel.

Pan Macmillan publishers want to get a snapshot of real women’s feelings about ageing. A selection of these will be included in the new book The Time of our Lives by Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller Maeve Haran.

You might remember Maeve as the author of 90’s smash hit Having It All, a novel that sparked huge debate about whether women could work and have a family, and much more besides. As well as being a brilliant read, her new book is about four friends in their early sixties, and the new issues they face, twenty years older than the protagonists of Having it All.

Everyone who posts a comment will be entered into a draw to win one of 20 exclusive early reading copies of The Time of Their Lives, and everyone whose comments are used will be entered into a draw to win a luxury forest cabin break for four people – details HERE.

We also have an exclusive extract from the book which you can read here.

kittylester Tue 18-Feb-14 11:05:42

To quote someone 'It's not the things you do that make you old, it's the things you don't do!' smile

dawnlane Tue 18-Feb-14 08:26:59

To sit back and watch your kids experience life, to offer your wisdom and to be smug thinking 'I survived all this'! brew

daddyo Tue 18-Feb-14 08:21:22

Im quite happy, as it means retirement, travel, grandchildren (hopefully) and lazy days in the garden with a glass of pinot noir

sallyc06 Tue 18-Feb-14 08:10:25

I am 58 now and don't mind getting older at all, what I do mind is having to work until 67, according to the government. I have worked all my life, I should be able to take it easy now.

kellyedwards Mon 17-Feb-14 22:56:57

I used to worry about getting older but now I'm embracing it....after all we can't do anything about it!

MrsNoah Mon 17-Feb-14 22:40:56

My son's getting older make me realise I'm getting older. I keep saying to them that I haven't decided what to do when I grow up. This is my philosophy - I want to be the 'old but interesting' woman that gets on the bus and is a little different to everyone else. I fully intend to grow old disgracefully.

NelAllan Mon 17-Feb-14 22:37:27

I'm not worried about getting older. I'm excited by what joys the future holds.

Jenna Mon 17-Feb-14 22:34:16

As I age I better understand why my parents treated me and my children as they did, and I wish they were still here so I could say "I get it now". I've explained this to my children as they became parents. They smiled indulgently at my foolishness, but I know they too will have the same reaction. We are a family of individuals, we all make different footprints but we follow the same trail in the sands of time.

sadiewoohoo Mon 17-Feb-14 22:08:33

I actually worry about it. I worry about being really lonely and not having enough money for heating etc.

chrismse1 Mon 17-Feb-14 21:30:10

More positives than negatives here. No more working and the relization that actually no-one really cares what I wear or say smile

sassygirl25 Mon 17-Feb-14 21:11:44

I feel fine about getting older, always new and exciting things to look forward to on the path to advanced age!!! LOL

maxwell Mon 17-Feb-14 20:59:03

As long as I can keep my mind active I can stay active.

luckybean Mon 17-Feb-14 20:58:54

I have just become a granny for the first time! Now I have a big incentive to get fit and healthy and hopefully stop the wheels of time spinning so fast and maybe even find the reverse gear.

Buddy2010 Mon 17-Feb-14 20:22:36

Much better to be older than to never have had the chance. Relationships are easier and little things that may have bothered me before are now unimportant. Life is not a dress rehearsal enjoy !

shaddai88 Mon 17-Feb-14 18:27:00

Hurray!!! I feel GREEEAT like, Tiger , I will have lots of fun...One step near to getting my Freedom pass to travel around and hopefully the youngster will offer the priority seats on the buses for me! I am alive, Thank God to enjoy another year despite the aches and pains.

HALA Mon 17-Feb-14 18:19:27

I don't like getting older, but I try to keep fit and have a positive mind.

Granna123 Mon 17-Feb-14 17:54:59

Being older brings the pleasure of grandchildren when you have the time, freedom and wisdom to enjoy them. Its in my interest to enjoy a close relationship with them knowing that they will probably pick the retirement home I end up in!

Wallygrom Mon 17-Feb-14 17:48:49

I have to admit to hate getting older - am just noticing those wrinkles and constant tired look on my face. And of course the aches and pains that are now more frequent rather than occasional. But on the upside, age has bought freedom, knowledge, change in attitude (e.g. no longer worried by what other people think!) and an increase in confidence and best of all - GRANDCHILDREN grin

Woodstock Mon 17-Feb-14 16:54:12

I hated hitting sixty as I thought it was just, well, OLD. Now I'm over the shock, I find delight in free prescriptions (sad, but true) and even greater delight in the simple pleasure of a cuddle from a lovely little baby granddaughter........

MamaCaz Mon 17-Feb-14 16:30:20

And no longer having to iron your clothes, as the creases help to disguise the wrinkled skin grin

willsandco Mon 17-Feb-14 16:25:29

Getting old is never having to say sorry! (Cos everyone makes allowances!)

MamaCaz Mon 17-Feb-14 15:56:20

So far, for me, the best possible thing about getting older has been becoming a grandma to two adorable little children.
My heart could burst with love when they cuddle me or just hold my hand as we go for a walk, and I feel like I am re-living all the best bits of parenthood but without the burden of responsibility!

grandmax3 Mon 17-Feb-14 15:46:08

well, we have found once you are over 50 you become invisible in shops, cafes, etc which is a con but on the plus side we have 3 young grandchildren who we look after quite a lot (sometimes too much) but most of the time we enjoy it.

MamaCaz Mon 17-Feb-14 15:43:24

With age I have come to realize that so many of the elderly people I met when I was younger were fantastic people who had lived and were still incredibly interesting lives. I bitterly regret the fact that I didn't appreciate that until it was too late to get to know them as real people, and it pains me to know that I too am now, in the eyes of the young, just another old person.

granniefinn Mon 17-Feb-14 15:21:12

I don't mind getting old you can say what ever you like people take it smile and say it's an age thing( your kids have to apologise for you it's pay back time ) don't think I will get away with it yet at 51 can always say it's the m word (smile)