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Remember being a kid and wanting people to think you are older than you are?

"I'm 12. And a half."

Don't forget the half.

As adults, we reach a point when that changes.

Rounding up our age is no longer desirable.

So we lie.

For years I jokingly told my kids I was 29. Mostly jokingly. Well, sort of jokingly.

One day I finally came to the realization that saying I was 29 was essentially telling my kids that I got pregnant when I was 12.

Not exactly the morality message I want to send.

Just why DO we try to hide our true age? Why is it impolite to ask a woman her age? It's not like we've done something wrong.

"Oh gosh. I can't believe I aged 365 days this past year. PLEASE don't tell anyone!"

I mean, we don't have a choice. Everyone single person ages a day every single day of their lives. No matter what. So why does that suddenly become something to disguise?

And anyway, I realized I had it all wrong. Totally wrong! Why would I want to say I'm younger than I truly am?

Since turning back time is only possible in movies, ultimately don't we just want to look young for our (real) age?

To feel young for our age?

When I'm saying I'm 29 but am actually 39, people are just going to think,"Dang girl! You look like crap for 29!

Goal not accomplished.

So listen up ladies! When you lie about your age, don't subtract 10 years. ADD 10!

Then people will say,"Wow! You look incredible for 49! What's your secret??"

Or better yet, just tell the truth.

I'm 44. And a half.

Don't forget the half.

How old are YOU??

- Angela McKeown

Angela McKeown writes for Momopolize. Don't ask her about her kids, or she will Momopolize the conversation. Two of Angela's stories are featured in Life Well Blogged's best-selling book Parenting Gag Reels: Hilarious Writes and Wrongs, and her work was included in the ebook Bloggy Moms: Guide to a Better Blog as one of three examples of "fantastic authentic voice" blogs. She was also selected by Circle of Moms as one of three "Blogs To Watch" for in the 2012 Family Blogs by Moms contest, has been featured by Wordpress on its "Freshly Pressed" page and won a trip to New York based on a winning story in a "Housewife Heroes" contest.