I'm 78 and therefore a bit of an expert on ageing. Can I just say that I don't believe it's useful to place expectations on yourself, because more often than not, those expectations won't be met. 

Fourteen is 64 years ago for me, but I remember being the uncool girl with no real friends. I was physically unattractive and hated myself, so I avoided classmates, assuming they hated me too. This opinion was reinforced when I attended a school dance and wasn’t asked to dance the whole night. Dancing alone wasn’t a thing then, so I just sat there wishing it was time for Dad to collect me. At recess and lunchtime, I’d take the book I was reading at the time and sit by myself, only coming out of my hidey hole to go to rehearsals for The Pirates of Penzance, because the one thing I was good at was singing. I never told my parents how I felt, because I knew they’d just tell me to toughen up.

@anonymous, I’m not denying that. What’s with this determination to paint men as bad people? My son grew up in a home with a mother, me, who made sure he understood the value of both sexes. He’s always been extremely respectful of women and became highly indignant at the age of six when I read him the Valentine’s card my husband had given me. The verse ended with the words ….. ‘because you’re mine.’ He said, ‘Mum, that’s horrible! People don’t own people!’

@paula.gartea, just recently, I got into a discussion with one of my carers about the differences in parenting from when I became a mother in 1977, and the modern day. This particular carer is a mother of four boys. She has a degree in psychology, but finds she enjoys working in the aged care sector more than the academic one. 

@mjte, I'm just an old lady who's been around the block more than a few times. I have a mindset that a decreasing number of people appear to share. That mindset requires me to need evidence to take seriously comments on social media and sites such as Mamamia.

@arac2007, I’m so sorry this happened to you. I hope in time things will improve with the new treatments becoming available for spinal cord injuries.❤️🌹

Collins did say, 'What a day!', but he mostly said,  'It's been a day!'

In my opinion, Lauren was one of the most real people ever on MAFS. She’s everything I wanted to be at her age, but didn’t have the confidence. Keep it up Lauren, you’re a gem!

I have an absolute thing about the cleanliness or otherwise of hair. I think Jack’s hair is dirty, not conditioned. I like to see hair shining, and Jack’s hair looks like a grease pit.

@jessiejay7, contrary to what appears to be popular opinion, it's my belief that most adopted children do 'luck out'. My sister and I certainly did with our wonderful adoptive parents, and our adopted son has a close relationship with my husband and I. He's 46 and has brought us immeasurable joy. And two gorgeous grandchildren. 

Just further evidence of the trend to live in a fantasy world rather than the real one. As King Lear said, 'That way madness lies.'

I first read this article yesterday and have been thinking about it ever since. The article seems to presuppose that women don't want to help their partner through emotional problems. It appears to suggest that men should have it all together before beginning a relationship, because any emotional needs they may have will be an unfair imposition on their female partner. 

Timothy didn’t say Jayden was ‘nothing’. When they were arguing about whether or not Jayden had the right to criticise Timothy and Lucinda’s relationship, given his youth, Timothy said, ‘You’ve GOT nothing!’ There’s a big difference.

Are we supposed to be impressed at this obscene display of wealth built on the backs of people who live in abject poverty? 

Things have been a bit tough for me the last few months and when a friend sent me this last week, I couldn't stop laughing. I had another fit of hysterics reading this article when I saw the extra details. 

@melbournewoman, since I wrote that, I've learned that Lucinda Light is not her real name, and she's a professional actor. That's her stage name. 

It was sooo much simpler when a hen's party consisted of dinner at Miranda RSL, followed by Eden Kane in concert. 

You’re probably going to hate me, but after watching Ms Light, I pressed the Pause button and told my husband that she’s one of the least authentic people I’ve ever come across. Having grown up on the NSW north coast where she lives, and returned there to live and work for ten years, I’ve met dozens like her. 

This is what happens when managers heap fulsome praise on an employee, even if justified, giving them a sense of security that’s unwarranted. It’s much more common in America, because of the culture of affirming everything everyone does.

@saggie, how dare you lecture me on domestic violence! I'm a survivor of a very violent relationship which saw me hospitalised! Only once, that's all it needed.