I too found it hard when I had Andrew at 22. I was looked apon as being really young when infact I didn't feel that young to have a baby. A lot of my parents friends commented that I was really young and my mum had the best comeback to the all that really shut them up - well she was 3 years older than me when I had her.

When I got pregnant with Andrew I was working and at the time the water was making everyone pregnant. I ended up after having Andrew becoming friends with people 3 years older than me but as we had children the same age the age doesn't mean anything to us now (almost 5 years on).

My friend up here gets it all the time she was pregnant at 15 and had her boy at 16. She has so proved them wrong and most of her friends up here are a good 4-10 years older than her. And she doesn't seem to mind.

Older mums have the same troubles, all my friends are well past the newborn / toddler stage and aren't interested either.  I'm with little fatty in being very old.

I don't think its age so much, but more about what you are doing with your life. 

Its seems you either do the travel / career thing or have kiddies, and the two topics don't seem to interest the opposite parties.

Buzzybee me too! even though my parents love my girls to bits...they dont hold back from telling me how ive wasted my life having kids early,not finishing my degree blah blah......like you i think "il show you!" lol

big hugs to you! i couldve posted that too! im 24 and have a newborn and 21month old girls and i cant say enough how i know how you feel!!!!

i will struggle through and say no to help from my family and inlaws because i dont want them to think i cant handle it. but ive come to realise there are worse things in life than giving my toddler away for the day while i rest

i told DH im going to look into starting a sewing course or any group where i can get some me time and he would have to look after the girls. i think we can feel that way because along the way we've lost a sense of ourselves because we're so busy taking care of everything/one else.

big hugs Daizy!

caitlynsmygirl wrote: Ha Jo! I don't know that ive ever met (ok , well online ) anyone who enjoys their childs company more than you do, you show how well the balancing act between working and being a mum can work .

Aw thanks Kelly.  Wasn't trying to TJ for sympathy or compliments or anything, just highlighting that most of us do have insecurities which may seem unfounded to some but that makes them no less real.

I think you're doing a great job as a mum Christy.

Daizy wrote: Aww thanks. Im 22 (almost 23) I try to look together and sorted but sometimes it gets to be hard work trying to keep it up.

Wow, please don't take this the wrong way but you don't come across as being that young (especially remembering what I was like at 23).  As Susie said, at the meetup you seemed to be so together and in control and you certainly come across as being mature and a great mum to your girls.

As others have said I think most of us do have insecurities when in comes to parenting.  It's probably because it's such a special and important part of our lives and we want to be the best we can be.  My insecurity is because I'm a working mum people might think I'm not as good as a sahm and that I don't love my daughter as much as those that stay at home love their children.

Is there any chance someone could take the girls for one evening a week, even just an hour, so you can get out and do something for yourself.  Maybe check in with the community college and see if they have any photography course or something because you're obviously really talented with your camera and enjoy doing photography and it might be something to do once your baby making days are a distant memory.