I’m 40 and people are constantly confusing me with my teenage daughter’s sister

A 40-year-old mother is constantly mistaken for her teenage daughter’s sister.

Carly Johnson, from Stockport, Manchester, says friends call her the female Benjamin Button because every time she’s out with daughter Kia Douglas, 17, they amaze strangers who think they’re sisters or friends.

The mother of a child says the surprised restaurant staff have even been known to call colleagues to their tables and demand that they explain their 23-year age difference.

The travel agency says it takes the confusion as a compliment, but finds it uncomfortable when men ask her about her ‘hot friend’.

She claims friends call her Benjamin Button because she seems to be “aging backwards,” much like the character in the popular fantasy film.

Single for two years, Carly says she attracts men much younger than her, which she likes because she’s “young at heart” and loves to party – though she insists she’s “not a cradle thief.”

Her tweet wishing Kia a happy birthday in June went viral with over two million views from stunned users.

Carly said, “We get mistaken for sisters all the time. It happens everywhere. I take it as a compliment.

“We went out for Kia’s 17th birthday and I asked a waiter if he could take a picture when my daughter came back from the toilet and he was so confused.. He thought we were two friends out for dinner.

“On vacation, someone told Kia to tell her sister dinner was ready. She told her I was her mother and she brought the staff out to show them. They were so shocked.

“Kia doesn’t mind. She’s not ashamed. We are very close and we share clothes.

“I hope we go out together when she’s 18.” I don’t know if it’s cool to date your mom.

She says friends call her the female Benjamin Button because every time she’s out with daughter Kia Douglas, 17, (left), they confuse strangers who think they’re sisters or friends

She claims friends call her Benjimin Button because she seems to be “aging backwards,” just like the character in the popular fantasy film

She insists her secret to looking youthful is in her genes, as she remembers hospital staff telling her grandmother Betty Prendergast that she looked in her 70s despite being in her 90s

The travel agent says she takes the confusion as a compliment, but finds it uncomfortable when men ask her about her ‘hot friend’

“Sometimes I’ll post on my story and guys ask who my girlfriend is because she’s hot and then I’ll tell them she’s literally my daughter.” That’s a bit clumsy.’

She insists her secret to looking youthful is in her genes, as she remembers hospital staff telling her grandmother Betty Prendergast that she looked in her 70s despite being in her 90s.

Carly said, “People call me Benjamin Button and that I age backwards. I’ve always looked young for my age. When I was 21, I probably looked 16.

“I think my secret is good genes. My mom is 68 and she looks great and my grandmother was in her 90’s and fit as a fiddle. Hospital staff read her age and thought they were wrong.

Carly (left) hopes she can date her daughter when she turns 18, but she doesn’t know if it’s cool to date your mom

The mother of a child says surprised restaurant staff have even been known to call colleagues to their tables and demand that they explain their 23-year age difference

Single for two years, Carly says she attracts men much younger than her, which she likes because she’s “young at heart” and loves to party – though she insists she’s “not a cradle thief”

Carly posed at the age of 26 and showed that she hasn’t lost her youthful looks as she’s aged

Her tweet wishing Kia a happy birthday in June went viral with over two million views from stunned users

“I tend to date younger men. I’m not a crib thief, but since I look young, I seem to attract that. Guys seem to have a thing for an older woman.

“Even though I’m 40, I’m quite young at heart, so I think older men have a different mindset than I do. In my head I’m still 25.’

Carly’s tweet featuring a picture of her and Kia has been liked more than 1,600 times.

One said, ‘You’re both absolutely gorgeous! I hope I look as good as you when my son turns 17 in 15 years.”

A second added: ‘Which are the daughter? A third quipped, “Is this a magic show?”