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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?

Treebee Tue 13-Aug-19 22:23:01

I was 52 when my first grandchild was born, DD1’s daughter. DD2 married and left home in the same year so my nest was empty and available.

glammagran Tue 13-Aug-19 22:27:10

I was 19, 22 and 38 when I had my 3. GM at 50 and now 3 more. Eldest had hers at 32, next at 33 and 35 and youngest had her first much younger lady year at 24.

Ionia Tue 13-Aug-19 22:30:03

I am 56 with first grandchild due in 5 weeks. I had my daughter at 24, but she is nearly 32. What I do consider and feel sad about is the fact that I'm still working full-time and I'd love to offer my daughter more support and time without work getting in the way.

Helmsley444 Wed 14-Aug-19 01:39:43

Ah poppy 11 so sorry to hear that.But things can change quite unexpectedly as he may surprise you yet at some time in the future

Aepgirl Wed 14-Aug-19 09:13:54

I was 67 and never even considered my age when my grandson was born.

Philippa60 Wed 14-Aug-19 09:19:25

I was just turned 50, which was quite young I think, compared to my friends. I was still working full-time then.
10 years later I have 3 GCs (10,7,5) and am thankfully working part-time and freelance to have much more time and less stress to enjoy them.
Hoping for more GCs some time from our son and DIL (who will be living in Australia by then) - so we'll be much older grandparents and with the additional complication of the distance, but I plan to be involved and connected to them - won't let age be an issue!
Enjoy yours - you are still young!

Bellanonna Wed 14-Aug-19 09:38:31

I was 71, possibly the oldest first-time gran on here. Two others followed. I make them all laugh (probably just by being myself ?). I do wish I had more energy though.

tanith Wed 14-Aug-19 10:41:16

That is the wonder of having GC young, I was only 38 and they’ve all grown up having trips, holidays, sleepovers at Nanny’s house.
Now they are having babies I’ve been renamed Granny as my daughters are now Nanny it’s wonderful that I still have the energy, I’m 71, and able to babysit and join them all on our annual typical British seaside caravan holiday.

DanniRae Wed 14-Aug-19 11:34:13

No Bellenonna I have seen a post from someone on here who was 73........and I was 70!

GrannyBeek Wed 14-Aug-19 14:03:23

65 when elder stepson had his first boy. He, younger stepson and my son all had little boys last year. Son and DiL expecting again in November when I will be 69. We’re all late starters! DD (only girl in her and the next generation) hasn’t got a bf so I’ll be well into my 70s if she presents me with any.

Juno56 Wed 14-Aug-19 14:17:44

I'm so glad I posted this thread. It is lovely to read of your differing experiences and good advice. Thank you for sharing. X

ILE35 Wed 14-Aug-19 14:31:10

I was 42 and never knew I was going to be a gran until weeks before my GD was born. At 45 now I'm her main carer. When out and about most folk assume she is mine as she happens to look so like me.

I don't mind being a young gran and enjoy being able to run around softplay/take her swimming etc and not be too out of puff.

I do wish I could enjoy her more as a granny though than as a "mum" however will do anything for her. She is my world! I'd def love more grandchildren. They are just so special!

ILE35 Wed 14-Aug-19 14:33:23

Another plus to being a young gran is my mum who is great gran still has energy too and loves her GGD as much as her own grandchildren. She often helps out with having her if I need a break myself.

MissAdventure Wed 14-Aug-19 15:00:43

There are down sides to being a young Nan.
I was always at work.

Bellanonna Wed 14-Aug-19 15:14:27

Thanks Danni, I’m glad to have some company!

sodapop Wed 14-Aug-19 15:19:24

Yes I was too MissA but we worked things out between us. My daughter was widowed so needed extra help for a while. I think the fact that I worked meant she didn't become too dependent.

MissAdventure Wed 14-Aug-19 15:23:02

smile
Lovely that she had her mum to help out.

narrowboatnan Wed 14-Aug-19 16:09:51

I was 48 and felt dismayed at the thought of being a grandparent so young! When my son told me that there was a baby on the way my initial response was “but I’m not old enough to be a gran!”

chezza1 Wed 14-Aug-19 21:50:45

I was 46. My OH was just 36.

Pome Wed 14-Aug-19 21:53:51

I have to admit to thinking that your friend's comment was totally uncalled for & rather unkind. I was 56 when my 1st grandchild was born
after years of thinking I was destined to not have any. Have many friends who can't be grandparents for lots of different reasons so my view is - I'm so grateful to uave them in my life , to enjoy each moment with them & forget about the future.

Joplin Wed 14-Aug-19 23:17:57

71 - my granddaughter is now nearly 9.

Conni7 Fri 16-Aug-19 17:33:46

76 - Am I the oldest?

DanniRae Sat 17-Aug-19 08:06:27

I think you are Conni7 - isn't it exciting? I was 70 when my daughter (45!!) told me she was pregnant and I just sat there saying "I can't believe it........I can't believe it" smile

harrigran Sat 17-Aug-19 08:58:25

I don't think you are the oldest Conni7, we have a Gran in her 90s who hasn't posted on this thread yet.

Tigertooth Sun 18-Aug-19 20:39:35

My mums first was at 65. She was over the moon with her longed for first grandchild - he was 21 in April and she kept saying “I never thought I’d See them grow up” she has 3 others now around the same age and all at uni and two younger ones of 9 and 11.
My children adore her, she’s always been a second mum, lives around the corner, at 87 she still collects youngest GC from school 3times a week and my children definitely prefer her cooking to mine so they are always popping in to see what grandma has baked. They have an amazing relationship - your friend is rude btw.