While age really is nothing but a number, there are some key differences when it comes to maturity, experience, and general approach to life when you’re dating a younger guy. Before you date someone who was born after you, there are a few things you might want to be prepared for that may come up in your relationship. They’re not necessarily a big deal, but it’s always better to be prepared.
- He might be on a different page. You’re settled in your career, sure, but maybe your younger guy is just getting his feet wet and trying to find out what he wants to do with his life. Depending on the age difference, you might be on different pages because you’ve got different priorities. The same goes for your relationship wants and needs. Only you decide whether it’s possible to meet somewhere in the middle.
- He’s got less baggage. Yes, this might seem really appealing at first, but it can also prove to be a bit of an issue. He might not have as much relationship experience as you do, which could be weird and make you feel like he hasn’t learned enough about himself. He might not even know what he wants or where he’s going!
- He might not speak up. While every guy will be different, you might find that your younger guy doesn’t really talk about his feelings as much as you do. He might also be less emotionally mature, which could sometimes make you feel like you’re his parent, not his girlfriend. That’s the worst.
- He probably wants to get drunk every weekend. It’s fun to hang with his friends and check out the new clubs that open, but doing that every weekend can become exhausting. You might find that you want more sober or quieter one-on-one dates than he does, which can make you feel unsatisfied in your relationship. Having fun is great but you also want something deeper, like a meaningful conversation.
- He might not want to define the relationship. While you’re ready to commit to a relationship with him, he might be holding back when it comes to defining things. This can prove frustrating, but your age difference could be why he’s keen to keep things casual. He might just be having fun while you’re keen to have something real. Ugh.
- He might make you feel old. It’s not his fault, per se, but it does suck when he rolls his eyes because you don’t want to smoke cigarettes during a social event or go bungee jumping on a whim or dance until the early hours because you have to work in the morning. It’s not a cool feeling and it can really get to you.
- He might just be about the sex. What connection do you have with this guy? If there’s no depth there and it’s all about sex (even though it’s great sex, mind), this won’t last very long and it’s not a strong enough foundation for a real, committed relationship. It’s therefore important to think about what you want from this relationship before you jump into it headfirst.
- He probably doesn’t want to have kids. Maybe you don’t want kids either, but if you do and you’re dating a much younger man, this could end up being a disaster. If he’s keen on being childfree for a number of years but you can hear your biological clock drumming loudly, that’s a red flag that you’re with someone who’s not right for you.
- He might be a tad intimidated. Here’s the thing to remember: not every younger guy is going to make you feel like the wisest/smartest/most amazing woman in the room or praise all of your achievements. The guy you’re with might actually feel jealous or even intimidated by you, which can make the relationship stressful – and cause him to not be the support you need.
- He might not be able to handle the judgment. People can be mean about the age difference you guys share, but while you will be mature enough to deal with it and not let it get to you, he might be more vulnerable to the attacks. Make sure you can talk to each other about how you’re both feeling to ensure that he’s still keen on making the relationship work instead of sidelining it because of social pressure because you deserve to be with someone who chooses you over anyone else.
