Why?  
Both over the age of consent... *shrug*

true but both at different stages of life. one has been married and has a child the other has a lot of life experience for their age but still a lot of living to do. is it the relationship not doomed to failure no matter how happy they make each other in the here and now?

The here and now is all that counts 11of9...  They shouldn't go predicting problems that might never happen... and if they do, c'est la vie.

that seems to be the way from which they are approaching things but the feeling that heartbreak is inevitable is a worry.

Ashton whatsit and demi thingy seem to cope ok

age doesn't matter as long as you both want the same thing from life.

A worry is not enough of a reason for 'them' not to enjoy their time together... if 'they' let it cast a shadow over what they love about each other now, it makes it sort of inevitable.

again true, and indeed astute, but he was a little older at the start of their relationship. i dont think the problem in this situation is the age difference itself, its the fact that the younger chap is so very young. if they were both 2 or 3 years older it might not be such an issue.

If I understood any of that Mofo... it may be really useful advice

if its not to be it will fizzle out x ...

If it doesn't work out can I have him

2 or 3 years later would make such little difference to any outcome. Whereas, 2 or 3 years of anxiety now would make it much more 'doomed' than may really be the case.

Age seems to be a stickler these days-but hey if they are happy then live and let live i say

It's always 'you, you, you' isn't it?!  

*scarpers because the guv'nor's back*

i was gon mental  when my 14yr daughter got with a 26yr old .. they have been together 10yrs and have my gawjuss 15 mnt          (my)grandson  age is not a problem all the time..............

Yep, I think of me me me

thank you everyone, you've been a great help. to them! a great help to them. i'll be sure to pass the information and advice on when i next happen to speak to them.

Just make sure they know... live for the moment... it's a very simple life truth which often people don't understand until it's too late...

Hardly seems any difference at all.  Especially as they are both adults.  Would have been different if one was 14 and the other 24.

Nice one M.. If they are happy then things will take their own course.

My best mate's BF was 14 years younger than her. They lasted nearly 5 years(she already had a child). In the end he wanted to spread his wings and live a bit (he was 17 when they got together). She's still heartbroken 2 years on from the split but she understands why and has the attitude 'if it's meant to be - he'll come back and it will happen, no matter when that is'.

Starting a relationship on worry the OH will do a runner the minute a younger model flashes their headlamps isn't the best beginning. Enjoy it, dont expect too much, and see where it goes.

^^^ What Karma said

Youngsters are maturing a lot earlier these days from when i was younger. Life changes so quick, and if their parents are happy with it then who are we to judge? Like someone said-- Life is so short so live whilst you have the chance.

its not specifically a worry about him getting distracted by someone else, its more the worry about him changing over the next couple of years, as he inevitably will being 18 now, and not wanting the same things and / or becoming resentful.

but it is the here and now that truly matters and if the feelings in the here and now are real then whatever problems arise in the future can be dealt with together in the right way.

my hubby is 14 years older than me, and we work

Yay!

We only have your word for that...  

I would bear in mind that an 18 year old youth is still a boy really, perhaps wanting to boyish things, and almost certainly without many of the experiences which help to form us.
On the other hand I like to think true friendships and relationships have nothing to do with time or age or place or station.
Perhaps I would just suggest there is plenty of time. No need to rush. Just get to know each other steadily. There is no stop watch on the situation.
And there is no fixed pattern either of course. Everybody's different.

and mine is the voice of truth, angelic and harmonious with little twinkling bells

It is not about the folk in the relationship-- but those who judge. Shit--- this is deep for me this late yet true i hope.

My stooopid pooter, I typed out a reply and lost it. Anyway, I was gonna tell you a happy ending situation. A woman my mum used to work for got together with her 18 year old BF (which she kept trying to resist for fear of ridicule) when she was 45. She also had 2 teenagers at that point. 15 years on they're still together, happily married and living in the country somewhere with a couple of dogs. So it can happen.

Even the best suited couples who seem perfect on paper can split after a few months, it's about chemistry and whether you both want the same things. Not a conversation I'd have right now, but if things are still going great down the line then it's worth finding out what he wants for the future. You never know, you may decide it's not right for you.

Enjoy it girl, life's too short to let things pass you by!

met my OH when i was 21..he was 31. been together nearly 6 years and getting happier tbh.

we both wanted the same thing in life though. to settle down (even though we were both happily single when we met lol). i am younger but i had a kid...and never was into the 'normal' life of going out and getting drunk..even if i could do that. he on the other hand spent his teens and 20s doing that and got bored of it lol.

so far i've not felt like regaining my 'lost' youth..it doesn't feel lost, dont feel i ever had it but all may change oneday...who can tell....noone can that is the point. if i spent all day thinking it wont work because of this this and this....it WOULDN'T work at all.

I've only read the OP's post and not any replies, personally I feel any relationship is about compatability among other things, not age. Whether for this couple the compatability lasts who knows, for some it does and others it doesn't, but isn't that true of any relationship regardless of age

alright so its quite blatantly me that i'm talking about so i can drop the pretence now. i'm very lucky to have found someone that worships the ground i walk on, treats me like a princess, writes me poems, makes me feel adored and beautiful and holds nothing back. the fact that he is only 18 is an issue and one that cannot be ignored but it doesnt have to be a problem. i'm going to lap up the attention and enjoy it while it lasts! we may be making a mistake but it is with the best of intentions and the hope of having something really good. i'm a bloody lucky bugger!

Go for it...but be perpared for a bit of teasing!I know a 19 yr old guy who got together with a woman in her 30s with two kids closer in age to him!!They've just celbrated their silver wedding anniversary!!

Besides no-one would bat an eyelid at a 28yr old bloke and an 18yr old lass.

Lifes too short..we should be living it!

well luckily he looks a bit older than he actually is and even more fortunately i look younger than i am (i still regularly get id'd for booze, woohoo!) so the worst teasing is only likely to come from those that actually know the truth!!!

our age difference is the same as the difference between him and my daughter but in most ways he is very mature and isn't remotely phased by taking on me and my considerable baggage!

You lucky caaaahhh! Wishing you every happiness lovey! x

sounds fine , you shouldn't worry about it.   Looking at it from an 18 year lad's view ( which I can still remember .... just    it's probably huge kudos with his mates
Reminds me of saying we used to use ( apologies in advance if this offends anyone  
" single mum ..... twice the fun"