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How old were you when your first grandchild was born?

(206 Posts)
Juno56 Mon 12-Aug-19 20:24:00

Hello, new member here. I joined because my first grandchild will be born in late November. I am 63 and hadn't thought I was particularly old to be a first time grandma. However, when I mentioned the baby to a (slightly older) acquaintance she said: "ooh that's very late; I was under 50. You might not see her grow up"!! I was so taken aback that I had no response. It set me wondering though, as young couples delay starting a family it inevitably means that grandparents are older than was the norm a few years ago. So if people don't mind sharing, how old were you when you became a grandparent?

Septimia Mon 12-Aug-19 20:31:43

59 - and I wasn't really ready then. No regrets, though.

My cousin was 39. I don't think I'd have wanted to be that young.

love0c Mon 12-Aug-19 20:33:11

What an unkind and untrue thing for this person to say! I was 60 and my husband 61 when our first grandchild was born. Both our sons went to university and therefore started with married life and children later than our generation did. All their friends have been late starters as they too went to university. I think it is more the norm now for parents to get grandchildren later. We plan on living till 110 at least!!!! So plenty of time to enjoy the grandchildren. You enjoy yours!!!

Willow500 Mon 12-Aug-19 20:34:02

43 when the first one arrived and 61 when the last one came 4 years ago. Big age difference in the cousins smile

Minniemoo Mon 12-Aug-19 20:38:53

I'd had my first daughter when I was very young. She was very much planned though. She was far more sensible than I was and had her first child at 27. I was 47. It did come as somewhat of a shock at the time!

I'd married again and had 2 more children who were still quite young at the time so it felt weird to be so 'young' and a Grandma!

The comment your acquaintance made was ridiculous and best just ignored.

SueDonim Mon 12-Aug-19 20:40:17

Fifty-five here, which felt a bit young, maybe because I still had my own 13yo dd at home!

BBbevan Mon 12-Aug-19 20:40:39

I was 61, very near to youJuno It has never crossed my mind that I was 'old' to be a grandma. I was just extremely happy to be so.

Hetty58 Mon 12-Aug-19 20:40:59

I was 51 for the first and 64 for the latest but there will be more. I think I appreciate and enjoy them more than I did my four children (I was so busy and stressed back then). The first one lived with me until he went to secondary school so was more like an 'extra' bonus child!

GrandmaKT Mon 12-Aug-19 20:41:19

I was 55. I'm now 60 and we have 3 GC (so far), but the vast majority of my friends aren't grandmas yet, so I think 63 if pretty much par for the course nowadays! Congratulations flowers

GagaJo Mon 12-Aug-19 20:44:21

52, which was a lot older than I'd hoped I'd be. Daughter didn't really want children and he was a miracle (categorically not an accident from my POV). I would have loved him to have come along while I was in my 40s.

MiniMoon Mon 12-Aug-19 20:47:04

I was 56. My daughter says that I'm a young Granny. I'm 68 now and the grandchildren are 12, 10, 9 and 6.
I don't think there will be any more.

FlexibleFriend Mon 12-Aug-19 20:47:50

64 and that's pretty much what I expected.

Grannybags Mon 12-Aug-19 20:50:42

59 when then first one arrived and 64 by the time her sister came into the world. Parents hadn't wanted a gap that big but you can't make these things happen!

I don't think there will be any more

cornergran Mon 12-Aug-19 20:54:03

Ignore the comments. Unreasonable and unkind. I was 57 when the first was born, 67 when the most recent arrived. I can enjoy them all and spent far more time with the youngest as a baby and toddler because I had more time. Just enjoy it all.

WOODMOUSE49 Mon 12-Aug-19 20:57:25

I was 54 but it all depends on how old we had our children. I had my daughter when I was 20.

She had her daughter when she was 35.

If she'd had her at same age me, I'd have been a gran at 40.

SalsaQueen Mon 12-Aug-19 20:57:56

I was 52 when our first grandchild (my son was almost 30 then), and 5 when her sister came along. Age doesn't mean a thing - enjoy the baby. It's great having grandchildren.

paddyann Mon 12-Aug-19 20:58:30

I was 49 ,I had my daugheter when I was 24 and a half and she had her sone at the same age ,he's 16 now 3 others from 12 -8 and anew baby expected end of this month .I had a 15 year old when GS was born and he has a 10 year old and the expected baby is his.My granny was late 60's when I was born and I was 18 when she died 47 years ago.She was an inspiration and a joy in my life and I remember her every day ,Just enjoy this GC and dont think about how long you may or may not be around ,make memories for her/him like my granny did for us .

LadyGracie Mon 12-Aug-19 20:59:11

I was 65 when blessed with my miracle granddaughter. smile There will unfortunately be no more!

MissAdventure Mon 12-Aug-19 21:00:36

I was 39.
We start young in these parts.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 12-Aug-19 21:02:53

I was 51, we have 6 GC with 2 more on the way.........

gillybob Mon 12-Aug-19 21:07:21

First granddaughter at 44 followed by another at 46 then a grandson at 48 (all my DS’s children) my DD’s one and only child (our lovely little surprise) DGD was born last year . I was 56 smile

fairisle Mon 12-Aug-19 21:11:52

I was 47 when my 1st GC was born,i`m now 55 and have 3 GC.I was 22 when my 1st child was born, i was way too young.

Pantglas1 Mon 12-Aug-19 21:14:43

I was 44 and wanted 5 years with DH to do as we pleased swanning around the world but my daughter had other ideas! I spent her pregnancy feeling a little cheated but of course I fell in love with DGD and have been besotted ever since!

M0nica Mon 12-Aug-19 21:15:47

I was 63 when my first grandchild was born. DDiL's mother was 72. 12 years later she is still hale and hearty and good for another decade, by which time DGD (and her younger brother will be in their 20s. My father lived into his 90s, still indpendent, if I do that, and so far so good, DGC will be in their 30s.

stella1949 Mon 12-Aug-19 21:17:12

54 when the first one was born, 62 when the last one arrived.