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How old were you when your first grandchild was born?

(207 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?

mumofmadboys Tue 13-Aug-19 15:05:41

61 and still waiting!

Pineapplerock Tue 13-Aug-19 15:03:03

I was 39,I had my second daughter when I was 20 and she had my gd when she was 19 and last year I was made a great gran at the age of 58?

jenni123 Tue 13-Aug-19 15:00:28

41 for the 1st one, she now has a son of her own, and 65 for the last one.

susieq3 Tue 13-Aug-19 14:49:26

69 when the first one was born and 71 when the second one was born. Hope I live long enough to see them married.

Hm999 Tue 13-Aug-19 14:37:36

I was 64. I think DGD's other grannie was 48 when her 1st DGC was born. My sister was 59.

Nannyfrance Tue 13-Aug-19 14:28:47

I was 37 and my DGD was often mistaken for my daughter which was nice but because I was still in full time employment I couldn’t spend enough quality time with her. At the age of 31 she has recently become a mother herself which makes me a Great grandmother at the age of 68.

Rosina Tue 13-Aug-19 14:15:01

Fifty one for the first, and sixty six for the last. Ignore silly comments Juno - that lady is clearly not as lively and young minded as you!

Polly4t42 Tue 13-Aug-19 14:14:45

I was 63 when my grandson was born and at 65 I’m now awaiting his little sister in September. Age is just a number you will have gained a wealth of knowledge experience and patience. Your grandchild will not compare ages all they will know is that you love them and have time for them. I have arthritis so walk with a stick but because I walk slower we have time to study the flowers, stop to watch bob the builder on the nearby construction site and walk at his speed.Enjoy them and don’t worry?

Peewitt52 Tue 13-Aug-19 14:08:03

I’M 67 and still waiting........

GreenGran78 Tue 13-Aug-19 14:06:36

Jacksl, if you are talking about the 15 year-old mum, I agree to a certain extent. However when her mother had a baby at 15 she she coped really well, with family support. She had a very close bond with her daughter, moved into her own place at 18 and became a fantastic mum. Once her child was old enough she 'went back to school' and ended up with a degree.
She was disappointed that her daughter didn't learn from her mistakes, but the child had had such a good relationship with her mum that I honestly don't think that she saw being a teenage mum as a problem, and has also made a great job of bringing her child up.
While I admit that having children at a very young age isn't ideal, by any means, it also means that you are young enough to go out and enjoy life when the child becomes independent.
I have always said that there are far worse things that can happen in life than having a baby. That was my mantra when I became pregnant with my 5th child at the age of 38, just as my husband was advised to give up work on health grounds! We survived!

Caro57 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:58:20

I was 59, my parents were 66 and 67 - both saw my children (their grandchildren) graduate and get careers - just enjoy all the time you have

keffie Tue 13-Aug-19 13:56:38

I was 47 and my husband 51 when our first Grandchild was born

knickas63 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:27:01

I was 48. I have 5 now and I suspect at least another 3 to come.
MDM was 44. MIL 42

Jacks1 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:24:29

So very young!! I'm sure she will have support but it's a shame she hasn't had the chance to have her life first.

Helmsley444 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:24:19

I was 46 a few weeks later i was 47.
I had my both my ds at 24 and 27.
I didnt think i was that young having mine.
My younger ds has no children and ive 3 dgs now from my oldest son.
There 10, 5 and 2.
Im having them 3 times a week as its now the summer holidays
Im delighted to have them, !although its never easy with 3 boys.
And i have a lot of health probelms.
When a child comes in my view it is always a blessing.
My dh and I always wanted a girl.
But i lost 2 at 5 mths of pregnancy.
I was told i couldnt carry girls.
I would love a dgd but dont think it will ever happen.

GreenGran78 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:20:29

I was 60 when my first GD arrived, 63 for my GS. Then my other DD surprised everyone by having an egg-donor baby at the age of 46, when I was 77. My youngest has been married for 11 years, and they keep saying that they will have children, but their busy lives are getting in the way, I think. I MAY become an even older Granny yet, at 80+ No great-grandchildren yet, though.

A friend of my daughter became a GM at the grand old age of 32, when her daughter followed her teenage example by becoming a mum at 15!

Jacks1 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:19:06

Anyone got advice for a painful gum. Had a tooth out a week ago?

Jacks1 Tue 13-Aug-19 13:16:55

Hi all, just joined this forum. Today. I turned 60 in july my first grandchild was born when I was 44.

sodapop Tue 13-Aug-19 13:11:37

That was an unpleasant comment Juno56 it seems families are waiting a while now before having their babies. It's such a personal thing and nothing to do with anyone else.
I was 43 when my first grandchild was born. They are all grown now and independent, I'm waiting for great grandchildren now. Enjoy your grandchild, such a lot to look forward to.

Mauriherb Tue 13-Aug-19 13:09:03

I was 67. We had all given up all hope so he is a blessing. I know I won't see him get past early 20s if I'm lucky, but I will make the most of him while I can .

Hazeld Tue 13-Aug-19 13:05:35

You beat me by a year MissAdventure, I was 40 when my first grandchild was born, 58 when last was born and 5 others in between. Not all by the same parent I hasten to add. smile

Janiepops Tue 13-Aug-19 13:02:52

I was 58. However I have a 21 year old son at home, (46 when I had him) who,if he follows his brothers patterns, won’t marry till mid 30’s, I expect grandchildren to arrive in my 80’s!!

Sar53 Tue 13-Aug-19 12:56:27

I was 55 when my first granddaughter was born, she is now 11, her sister, my youngest granddaughter is 19 months and I am 66. There are 3 more granddaughters , aged 10, 7 and 3. There will be no more.

4allweknow Tue 13-Aug-19 12:48:33

64 and I thought that was about the standard then. Did meet a 32 year old GM not that long ago. Had her daughter at 16 and her daughter had GS at 16. What a pickle they were in re housing, finances, the GM working full time so limited how much she could help out.

BabyLayla Tue 13-Aug-19 12:31:52

37 ( much to my own mothers disappointment) then a great grandparent at 57. I’ve had such fun with them all and am looking forward to a second great just after Christmas.
My own grandmothers were both much older, however in good health so I’d enjoy bike rides and swimming in the sea regularly with them.
Life has been hard/ exhausting at times as I was determined to help out as much as possible ( I had little support from my own mother as she didn’t live near) but worked full time until last year, it’s hard being at work when you had a bad night with a sleepless baby at any age.
The best thing about being retired is spending time with my grandchildren, I have 4 here today happily splashing in the paddling pool. This is the best summer holidays I’ve had in many years and I have a tan?? Just by watching them play outside.