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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?

Hildagard Tue 13-Aug-19 17:20:29

50 just had youngest 17 year gap three more in between, old hand at it now?

EthelJ Tue 13-Aug-19 17:27:54

I was 57 when my first was born and 61 when the last was born. I don't think it matters how old you are. Just enjoy them

HazelG Tue 13-Aug-19 17:38:22

I was 46 when I became a grandma and I am going to get my fifth grandchild at the end of November, eleven years later.

A friend of mine was 32 when she became a grandma for the first time and was a great granny by age 50.

Nvella Tue 13-Aug-19 17:41:09

I was 63 too.

SisterAct Tue 13-Aug-19 17:51:47

55 2 granddaughters and 3rd on way Love it

Photocrazy Tue 13-Aug-19 17:54:47

First child at 26, second child at 42. First grandchild at 55 but often mistaken for my second child's grandma!!?

jmsburnham Tue 13-Aug-19 18:01:10

I was 40 when my 1st granddaughter was born and I have loved every minute of being a very 'hands on' Grandma. I now have 5 aged 30, 29, 14, 13,and 8 years and have looked after all of them for one day a week until they went to school. My 1st Great Grandchild is due in October (I will be 70)but sadly they live at the other end of England so I will have to leave the 'hands on ' to my daughter!

mimismo Tue 13-Aug-19 18:02:32

I'm 62 and my son's 16. Tried very hard to have him. May not see my grandchildren but still enjoying being a mum!

Gangang Tue 13-Aug-19 18:07:17

I was 53 when the first grandchild was born and 61 when the last one was born.

Noreen3 Tue 13-Aug-19 18:15:23

I was 58,so older than some,I have just one granddaughter.I had my son at 23,but he was 35 before having a child.A lot of people have children later now,so there will be older grandparents,it doesn't really matter,and women in their 60s are younger now than previous generations.

Step4gran Tue 13-Aug-19 18:26:53

I was 28, but only because my partner is 11 years older and has a 31 year old daughter - there are only 7 years between myself and D x

Daddima Tue 13-Aug-19 18:27:02

I was 51, ( strangely enough) the age my mother was when she became a grandmother.

Magrithea Tue 13-Aug-19 18:53:44

I was 55 and a bit surprised but delighted! I remember calling my parents to tell them I was expecting DD and my Dad saying he was too young (just turned 60 at the time) but when I said the baby was due the following year he said he'd be old enough by then!!

Berther Tue 13-Aug-19 19:06:27

I was 41 when my first grandchild was born now 20 years later I have 12 grandchildren 6 girls and six boys ?

Breda Tue 13-Aug-19 19:12:18

45 and have loved every minute of the last 20 years!

Anniel Tue 13-Aug-19 19:26:40

I was only 51 when my first grandchild was born. His brother followed in 1987 and now I am a great grandmothe to little Hugo born last November. He is adorable.

Kim19 Tue 13-Aug-19 19:56:24

I was 74 and, somewhat shamefully, was not particularly enamoured at the prospect. I was 'told' by being asked 'how are you fixed for babysitting in November?' on Easter Sunday. I interpreted this as friends going away together and I would be babysitting for the pals' children. The ensuing silence plus amused eyeballing eventually caused the penny to drop. I'm not usually that slow on the uptake but.....hey! Once the fact seeped in and I began to view the prospect with a gentle excitement, I decided I was going to enjoy this experience to the best of my ability and I put into practice all the weight loss common sense tips I had successfully avoided over the years. I lost a lovely 4 stones and now find myself completely able to run around and play with them (2) with good energy and no breathlessness. Thank you GC. As for my initial doubts..... what an idiot. I love them with a ferocity beyond belief and every minute spent with them is pleasure unimaginable. Immeasurable joy and I am so grateful for my extra layer of life. Thought I was doing okay before but this is superlative. SO grateful.

gilld69 Tue 13-Aug-19 20:03:16

I was 38 very young but i was a mum at 17 . My eldest has 3 dc and my second is pregmant now im 50 and im feeling old x

rafichagran Tue 13-Aug-19 20:12:29

3 Grandchildren I was 47 55 and 61. I have step Grandchildren too but they were all born before my son met their Mother.

nahsma Tue 13-Aug-19 20:18:09

I was a month off 65 and retirement when the first arrived - I don't think it was arranged so that I'd be available for “grannying”, but I have been. Now there are three and they are lovely, and keep me fit.

Mumben Tue 13-Aug-19 20:28:35

I was 45 and 49 when my grandsons were born, my mum was just 38 when I had my first!

Witchypoo Tue 13-Aug-19 20:37:17

Stepnan at 32. Nan at64. So glad i had stepgranchildren wgen i was very young. Five in all. They are marrying and having children while my son is having his family in his forties.

Thingmajig Tue 13-Aug-19 21:09:23

I was 55 and had just taken early retirement ... perfect timing!

Cycorax Tue 13-Aug-19 21:14:53

I was 71 when the first arrived, 72 for the second. I doubt we will be around for their 21st birthdays.

Lizzalma Tue 13-Aug-19 21:35:47

I am 67 and they were or very very early and I loved them from the moment I saw their 3D scans and then born very shortly afterwards!! Age is totally irrelevant, it’s how you feel in your heart. My husband is 75 and he just loves them and they are now aged 1 and so full of life, that they make you want to keep ongoing and going and going!! And we do ,as we now help with childcare for 1.5 days a week, and really look forward to each day!!
Then collapse when they leave, but every movement of tiredness is so worth it