Women start turning into their mums when they hit 33, says poll
Ellen ScottSaturday 16 Mar 2019 9:50 am
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Look, we love our mums. They're great.
But few of us want to be just like them.
Blame the rebellious teenager locked inside us, but loads of us are lumped with a horrifying fear of turning into perfect copies of our parents.
We don't want their lifestyles, their terrible sense of humour, their rubbish opinions.
And yet, despite our fiercest wishes, it happens. We start to notice we crinkle our nose when we laugh just like our dad. Suddenly our mum's point of view doesn't seem so unreasonable. We find ourselves bulk-buying discount toilet roll and inwardly cringe.
If this hasn't happened to you yet, brace yourself. It's coming.
According to a new poll, women start their transformation into their mother at the age of 33.
Anyone else panicking?
Men, meanwhile, say they start turning into their fathers at 34, so they get one more year of freedom from their deepest fear.
The poll of 2,000 people, by Harley Street, found that signs women were becoming their mums included watching the same TV shows as them, taking up the same hobbies, and using the same expressions. So please, do shake me if I start enjoying bird-watching or going to Italian lessons.
Men said they were more likely to become like their fathers after they became dads themselves. Makes sense.
The signs they noted included switching off lights in empty rooms, listening to Radio 2, putting on weight, and sharing political opinions.
Don't panic too much if you're the wrong side of 30, though. Your transformation at 33 isn't set in stone, and it's not the only time people have noticed themselves picking up their parents' habits.
The poll found that 52% of people started to behave like their mothers between 30 and 35, but 26% noticed the change at 35 to 40, 10% at 40 to 50, and 7% at over 50. You could be one of those unusual lucky people who manages not to look in the mirror and see their mum until middle age.
Or you could be part of the 5% who said they started behaving like their mum in their 20s. Oh dear.
The survey was commissioned by Dr Julian De Silva, a Harley Street plastic surgeon, so – shockingly enough – he suggests cosmetic surgery as a way to battle the sensation of feeling like a carbon copy of your mum and dad.
He said: 'We all turn into our parents at some point in our lives – and that is something to be celebrated. They are the most wonderful people in the world.
'Becoming parents is the main trigger and lifestyle factors are also important.
'Both sexes said the physical signs of middle age were also a key factor.
More: Families
Woman dating man 27 years older than her gets asked if he's her dad or sugar daddy
Six-year-old draws a picture of a tulip that looks more like a vagina
'It is an inevitable part of ageing but a process lots of people want to put off for as long as possible.
'It is one of the reasons why the average age of first-time cosmetic surgery is coming down for both sexes.
'For women, it is now 37 and for men it is 43. More people are trying to delay this onset of middle age to improve their appearance and levels of self-confidence.'
For some, surgery might be a solution, but remember that it's not the only option.
There's nothing wrong with being more like your ma and pa – it's only natural, giving they raised you. And if you are feeling an itch to go the opposite way, try doing so in your attitude and approach to life before you go for injectables.
It doesn't matter how line-free your face is, you'll still feel old when you catch yourself doing the crossword in your dressing gown on a Sunday morning.
MORE: I won't take the iPad off my toddler, it's a great parenting tool
MORE: What to know if you're dating someone with depression
MORE: People tell us the heartbreaking stories of why they broke up with their best friend
Woman gives birth to brother's baby to avoid adoption costs
I don't want to reproduce and I don't owe you an explanation
Couple who moved in together after one date are now having their third child
Mother-in-law wears full on bridal gown to son's wedding and no one is impressed
Home › Lifestyle › Families