AM I WASTING TIME WITH YOUNGER MAN?

Dear Coleen

I’M A 45-year-old woman who got divorced seven years ago. Since then, the only men I seem to get involved with are quite a bit younger – all in their 30s.

I actually feel better than I ever have – I’m slim, fit and have a really healthy sex drive.

If I’m being honest, most men my own age that I meet are married or in serious relationships, so they’re unavailable.

At the moment, I’m seeing someone 33 and a real catch but my friends keep saying it can’t go anywhere because he’s so much younger and that it’ll end in tears.

I haven’t talked to my partner about where we go next – marriage or moving in together, but we just get along.

Am I stupid to be pursuing this at my age?

Coleen says

IF YOU’RE happy, then of course what you’re doing isn’t stupid.

These friends seem to be making you doubt your choices, but I think you have to be careful about what’s behind the advice.

Are they perhaps a bit jealous because you seem to be having fun and living a different type of life, while they’re bored with their own relationships and feel a bit stuck?

Of course, an age gap gives you things to think about if you’re considering a long-term future.

Try to imagine how your relationship would be when you’re 55 and he’s still only 43, and if you might want different things out of life.

If it’s getting serious with your boyfriend, then these are things to consider and talk about.

If it’s working for you at the moment and you’re having fun, then carry on.

If it gets to the point where you realise you want more commitment from someone, then see how he feels.

Then you can decide what you want to do from there.