Under 50...

My nanna was in her 70's when I was born, as my mum was the youngest of her 7 children. She was the person I loved best in the whole world and I shared a bed with her until we moved from her house when I was 6.
I never thought about her age. What did it matter.
I have looked after some of my 8 DGC from the age of 50. I hope I'm as loving to them.

AnneMaria I became a nanna when I was 42 and have fab DGSs x 5 & 2 X DGDs all keep me young but after reading your comments I think I'll shuffle off in to the corner and Knit some Shreddies whilst wearing my levi's and ugg boots.Please don't sterotype us we are all unique in our own way,oh and by the way the years pass quickly so take care.

I'm 64 and sometimes play guitar in a rockband - I like mints and I'm wearing a cardie at the moment. I'm a whizz with a computer but hate driving. My joints ache sometimes but I can still disco dance when required and (as yet) take no medication. In short (which I am) I don't fit into any preconceived slot really -

a typical Gransnetter I'd say.

I don't think this is really to do with years but with attitude. Sometimes I am shocked when I realise how old I really am!! And you are probably right about the articles- not necessarily Gransnet but media generally. I like to look at what fashions are out there and adapt them to my personal taste. I tend not to read tips for over 50s- although I am over 60- because they dictate such terrible ideas and standards. And yes I probably do get it wrong sometimes, but I have been doing that all my life, why should I have to change and follow someone else just because I am older?

Reading your original post again, is in the media generally that you are posting about, not just Gransnet? It is not clear from the posts on this thread.

All of us GN posters do try VERY HARD to demonstrate to the whole world that we are not sitting in our arm chairs sucking our mint imperials with our toothless gums, knitting shapeless garments, and whinging about Young People Today.

There are many threads on the forum about we individually do, what organisations we support to make a difference, what we think about the attitude of journalists to anyone old enough to have their wisdom teeth.

If you mean the discussions on the forum, AnneMarie, those are initiated by ordinary members like you, not by any separate editors. Is that what you mean, or are you talking about the articles on the rest of the site? I don't see a great deal on the site about knitting or sucking mints (except when they are joking)

If there is something that you would like to see on the SITE then contact them at GNHQ and suggest it. If you want to talk with other Gransnetters about something on the FORUMS, then it is up to you.

Hmm?

Hmm...

Lots of comments and thoughts but when it comes to topics for grandparents I only seem able to read about make up and clothes for the over 50s, sex at 60, flexi working and the older woman - the list could go on. All of these are topics not necessarily to do with just age.

I knitted many years ago but the topic is often aimed at older people. My mother was well into her 50s when she became a grandmother for the first time and didn't knit.

But, the media portrayal of grandparents is still the much older person and I think that the image needs to change to include grandparents of all ages - which would be to the benefit of all. And, no before anyone says it I don't want to just include so called 'glamorous grans' or stop showing the sensible shoes wearing grey haired granny.

I want all grandparents to stand up and let them (whoever they are) know that all sorts of people are grandparents.

I think you have to choose which you read, if you find some don't seem to be you. With members aged from under 50 to over 80, there are bound to be posts of all kinds. Why not start a thread about something that you want to say, and find out who else replies? That is what everyone else does.

I may be an older granny now but I've been one since I was 51. Yes, I am less active now than I was then when I was still working and involved in local politics, school governance and so on. I don't think my outlook on life has changed in those 22 years and I have gained experience and skills that I didn't have back then. Every one of us, older and younger, has something to contribute to these forums. What we have in common (well, most of us) is that we have GC.

What was the "(oohh)" in aid of in your post?

So, you want this to be yet another place where we're not allowed to be old? (sorry to even mention the word)

"Any thoughts?" Oh yes! Not 'alf.

I think there is something for everyone here. I first became a grandmother when I was 48. I knitted then , when I was a teenager and I do now and there is always a packet of mints in the car. I love zumba, travelling, socialising, patchwork, and have many other interests. Nothing to do with age.

I had my son at 32 which was fine at the time but now I'm a bit older and worse in health, he tends to moan that I can't do certain physical things, although we have lots of laughs sat down. I did most physical things with my daughter as I had her at 23. Swings and roundabouts I guess.

A bit off topic, I know, but are there any of you who's children have had their children in their 30s and found it hard going.
My DD had her first baby at 36. She had had a very good job, the money and freedom to go and do whatever she wanted ( she didn't leave home until 29) I know that she found the lack of freedom very difficult to come to terms with.

I think that's quite narrow view of grandparents AnneMarie.

Try starting some threads on topics for younger grandparents and see what happens!

I am exactly the same KatyK!

I used to knit (for my baby daughter in the '70s when I was in my 20s) and I used to suck mints. Now I am a nan, I do neither

I don't think they are aimed at the older GP, lots of GPs are working, have younger children, and older parents to look after, I think you will find there are lots of posts from people who are in the younger age bracket. I had my 1st baby at 19, but wasn't a gran till I was 54. I worry about my DCs as they haven't had kids till they were in their 30s, so will be much older when they are GPs.

I felt strange at first because I am a lot older than many of you. However, I plodded on and feel a bit better these days. I think we can start threads to suit any age really. I don't think it matters.

That is true, Gillybob. There is no central thread-starting department which everyone else has to fall in line with. Threads are started because someone (anyone!) has something they want to say. Others then join in. If you start a thread, you will find that you get other posts.

I'm sorry but I don't agree with you AnneMaria. I am 52 and have been a member of GN since day one, over three years ago.

Through GN I have chatted to and met some lovely people. Some of a similar age to myself and some quite a bit older, but all very young at heart. I enjoy most of the topics and find that online discussions are very much like real life discussions with people popping in and out giving their opinion or offering helpful advice no matter what their age. Yes there are some issues that do not effect me (yet) and others in which I have little interest but we are all free to contribute to, or start a discussion whenever it suits us.

Go on try it. Start a discussion in a topic that interests you. I can bet you will be pleasantly suprised.

Yes, it's because most of us are older (than 50, anyway!).

There are some younger members though, so feel free to make your own contribution to any of the threads on here