Our daughters shun boozing and clubbing but we love having a wild time
YOUR twenties are the decade for partying, boozing and making mistakes, right?
Not any more, because under-25s have been branded generation sensible — and their parents are the ones more likely to be hitting the dancefloor.
Last year saw the end of the iconic 18-30s clubbing holidays, as wellness retreats in Instagram-friendly destinations have been evermore popular
Nearly 30 per cent of 24-year-olds in Britain abstain from alcohol, while 46 per cent admit finding it difficult to make friends. Soaring house prices, student debt and greater health awareness are all thought to be reasons for the sober behaviour.
But surely letting your hair down a bit is not all bad? Here, three mums tell how they are having more fun than their daughters.
' I drink everyone else under the table at pub'
FORMER bartender Jean Nye, 39, from Mitcham, Surrey, has been with her partner Dan, 38, for four months. She says:
“I had my first daughter when I was only 17, the second when I was 21. It was hard to go out when they were young but I didn’t mind because I had two gorgeous girls.
“Now, they are all grown-up it’s my time. I can party whenever I want. I don’t have any little ones to get up for in the morning so it doesn’t matter if I need a lie-in.
“I go out every weekend and sometimes through the week too. If there’s a birthday or another celebration, I’m always there. I go to my local pub’s karaoke night every Wednesday and drink everyone under the table.
“I love getting dressed up too. Reemah and her sister Simone, who is 18, always tell me to go for a more natural look, but I like to fake it . I like fake lashes, the full works. I wear that all the time, even if I’m not going out.
“My daughters might say the odd snidey comment about me going out, but I don’t think they mind. They just want me to be happy.”
REEMAH Hamoud, 21, a theme-park manager, lives in Sutton, South London, with her partner Rhys, 23, a plumber, and their seven-month-old daughter Maddison. She says:
“I’ve only been out twice since Maddison was born and even then I didn’t drink very much. Generally I just feel too tired for night outs. When I do get free time, my idea of a good time is girlie nights in with friends, having a takeaway or watching a film.
“I’m glad Mum’s having fun. I’d hate to think of her bored, fed up and lonely at home.”
'I do what I want wearing what I want until whatever time I like'
IT worker Kate Welling, 46, feels she lost a lot of her partying years after she had daughter Izzi Welling, 23, when she was 23. Kate, of St Albans, Herts, says:
“As soon as Izzi was old enough, about five years ago, I started working in London again, and I’ve gone wild. On the weekend, me and my friends will go for dinner and drinks if we’re being well behaved, but we usually have wine and cocktail parties or go bar-hopping and clubbing.
“I feel like I’m 21 again. There’s a 24-hour train line in St Albans, so I can get home no matter how late. I am single, I haven’t got time for a boyfriend. I’m too busy having fun.
“I’ve spent a lot of time tied down so I just love the independence. I like being able to do what I want, whenever I want, wearing whatever I want, until whatever time I like! My daughter is so unlike me, she has to wake up hangover-free with really nice hydrated skin… whereas, I’m just not like that, I don’t care!"
Her model and spa supervisor daughter Izzi says:
“My friends have always thought my mum is a bit nuts, but she’s very cool so they confide in her with things they wouldn’t go to their parents about.
“I’m much more sensible than Mum. At university, where I studied interior architecture, I was always the flatmate in charge of finding the properties and sorting bills, and I currently have two jobs as I’m saving to find a place of my own.
“Mum loves a big clubbing night, but I prefer a night in with a glass or two of wine and a good movie and snacks. I’m too tired for that clubbing malarkey!
“My mum works with my boyfriend Sunny, 23, at an IT company. They get on really well and often go out to bars after work together. But if I do go out, it’s always full-on and I won’t come through the door until about 8am. I haven’t done that for years though.
“Leaving uni, you’ve got debt. I’ve got to work hard now so that I can afford to have some fun when I’m older . I can’t wait to be 30. It’s then that you feel life is a bit more sorted out and everything is calmer.”
'I'm always dancing or getting a round in'
ART gallery manager Amanda Allen and her daughter Brooke Allen, 21, from St Albans, Herts, says they are “like best friend. But it’s Amanda who encourages Brooke to let loose on the weekends. Amanda, 45, who is also a part-time model and actress, says:
“I love a party and I’m always on the dance floor or getting everyone another round of shots. My daughter and I go out for drinks together a lot, but she’s much calmer than me and sometimes far too sensible.
“She is good fun, but she always wants to leave before I’m ready because she likes to get up early for the gym. Brooke is gorgeous and has a great figure but she doesn’t show it off. I often tell her to stick on something a little raunchier. ‘Wear what pulls,’ I say.
“When we go to bars together, I’ll chat the boys up for her – she wouldn’t dare to. I’m Brooke’s wing woman, even if she thinks it’s embarrassing and unacceptable.”
Brooke, who works in sales and marketing for a fencing contractor says:
"I go out with my friends occasionally on the weekend, but my mum is constantly out and about socialising. I work Monday to Friday and will be in bed by 9.30 but mum is always changing jobs and is a free spirit.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
“I hate it when we’re at a bar and I leave the table briefly and return to a crowd of boys who she’s trying to set me up with. She loves joking about.
"Sometimes when we’re out she wolf-whistles, and when everyone turns around to see who it was, she blames it on me.
“My mum is more like my best friend, it’s ridiculous. I love going out with her, but she’s definitely a lot wilder than me and my friends. They love her, too.”
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]