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Best response to 5 year old calling me an old lady?

(103 Posts)
Nodj Sun 24-Sept-23 03:10:46

It’s true. I am a little old lady but I don’t feel like I’m a little old lady. However, my granddaughter who is 5, will often refer to me as an old lady. I’ve tried responding to her by saying I’m grateful to be old but that does not seem to be the most appropriate response for her. I was just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the best way to respond to the younger group who seem to enjoy calling us older women “ little old ladies.”

Marydoll Sun 24-Sept-23 15:59:45

I just laugh if my DGD says that. It is true and my walking stick makes me look older. They have no concept of age. My DGD thought I was tenty one!

PamelaJ1 Sun 24-Sept-23 16:28:48

My GS told me that he wouldn’t be able to play with me when he was 10.
I asked why and his reply was “you will be dead by then”.
I simply replied that I might be but I hoped not.
Then we carried on.
Actually I have it on video and replay it occasionally to have a giggle. I have already outlived his expectations!

Hithere Sun 24-Sept-23 16:51:32

Ignore it

She just stated a fact

HowVeryDareYou2 Sun 24-Sept-23 17:25:43

A child of 5 would think someone of 20 is old. Best to ignore it or agree with her, but remind her that your name is Gran/Grandma, or whatever you usually go by.

Millie22 Sun 24-Sept-23 17:54:02

My GD said to me a few weeks ago that I was a bit crinkly which I laughed at.

Whiff Sun 24-Sept-23 18:17:19

My late husband called my dad OB( old boy) from when we started going out and my dad loved it.

My mom always said older never old. So I go with that.

midgey Sun 24-Sept-23 18:49:54

My granddaughter told me my face was cracked!

annodomini Sun 24-Sept-23 19:42:50

None of my GC has ever referred to me as 'old' - at least, not to my face! If I speak of myself as 'old' I get the response: 'You're not old, Granny!'The are not small children any more - 15 - 31, and I am nearly 83 and, yes, I am undeniably old!

jenpax Sun 24-Sept-23 20:17:02

Chestnut

There is a game called Greedy Granny which I refuse to play!

Granny loves biscuits! So much so that she's fallen asleep with a whole tray of them on her lap – what a Greedy Granny! Your mission is to take a biscuit of each type from Granny's tray as carefully and quietly as you can. One wrong move will wake her and send her teeth flying!

Anyone played this and not been annoyed? I think it's horrible.

Quite agree and get very cross with age stereotypes.
I am in my 50’s and a grandmother! however I do not sit in a chair all day, have grey hair nor false teeth!
My eldest DGS was quite confused when younger that grannies were always portrayed as ancient, yet I wasnt 😁

V3ra Sun 24-Sept-23 20:44:54

I was told by a six year old DGD that I'd be able to skip round the garden like her when I'm older.

Two three year old boys, in the changing room after swimming, once told me, "Don't worry, you'll have a willy like us when you're older" 😳

Callistemon21 Sun 24-Sept-23 20:53:29

V3ra

^I was told by a six year old DGD that I'd be able to skip round the garden like her when I'm older.^

Two three year old boys, in the changing room after swimming, once told me, "Don't worry, you'll have a willy like us when you're older" 😳

😂😂😂

When I get my new knees I'll be able to skip (🤔) but I'm not sure about you growing a willy!!

NotSpaghetti Mon 25-Sept-23 08:57:28

The OP doesn't say the grandchild called her "old lady" - she actually said they will often refer to me as an old lady - this is quite different.

Lots of posters seem to think the child is using "old lady" as though that is a name (and not very polite!).

Candelle Mon 25-Sept-23 12:35:56

Luckygirl, similarly to yours, one of my granddaughters aged about eight or so looked at me very earnestly and told me that she would marry as soon as she was old enough. I asked why and she replied "I want you to be at my wedding and if I don't hurry up you won't be there" and looking a little sheepish, added "because you are old"!

Probably very true (but I hope it's not!).

Cornishgreenhouse Mon 25-Sept-23 12:37:14

I think it’s wonderful they can be so honest. I asked my eldest granddaughter how old she thought I was and she thought a while and said ‘very very old!’. Well in comparison to a 3 and a half year old I certainly am 😊

Beautyandthebeast Mon 25-Sept-23 12:56:17

Why should that bother you? I'm 70 so I'm an an old lady it's just the truth.

Lizzie44 Mon 25-Sept-23 12:57:01

Children often have no filter when it comes to "say what you see". A favourite story in our family is of my brother-in-law aged about 7 talking to a great aunt. She asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He said, "a pilot." She said, "How exciting and will you take me up in your plane?" He shook his head and said no. She said, "Oh dear, why not?" He said "because you will be dead by then...". Family history records that great aunt was able to laugh about it.

knspol Mon 25-Sept-23 13:23:58

I was living abroad when a little Mexican girl came up to me (around 4/5 yrs old) and started chatting to me calling me grandma. I think in her world every elderly woman was a grandma. I thought it was sweet.

Nansypansy Mon 25-Sept-23 13:36:10

My daughter told me that I’m not a LOL until I’m 80 ….. oh dear that’s the milestone I reach next year!

Oldnproud Mon 25-Sept-23 13:39:57

I am early sixties, but was only fifty when first dgc was born. I didn't feel old, and still don't, but when I picked up dgs (and all the following dgc) to look in the mirror, I looked ancient next to him, far older than I do when I look at myself in the mirror alone.

As for being old, when anything like that is said to me by the dgc ( never meant nastily), I just say that yes, I look old, but inside I still feel and think pretty much the same way as they do, and still like to do 'fun' things just like they do.

Nannashirlz Mon 25-Sept-23 13:52:17

Lol to a 5yr old you are and just because you don’t feel it doesn’t mean you don’t look it. I’d say nothing I’d just laugh it off. One of mine said one day school said we have to help old ladies like you nanna i said I’m not old and he said yes you are you daddy mum. It did give me a good laugh lol

DamaskRose Mon 25-Sept-23 14:00:52

I don’t see the problem, you are old! I’m old! Everybody can see that, it’s nothing to be ashamed of or looked on as an insult, I’m proud of it!

Norah Mon 25-Sept-23 14:00:53

Laugh it off, you're old. I'm old and I know it!

0ddOne Mon 25-Sept-23 14:25:27

My 12 year old GD often asks me what life was like when I was young, her favourite question being; which dinosaurs did I meet? It's all done in jest and I play up to it. We live in a family where sarcasm and insults are our love language, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'm known to be ancient and a witch (my broomstick is constantly in for repair because I'm such a bad flier!) and to be honest, neither description seems unfair... grin

Dearknees1 Mon 25-Sept-23 14:31:57

To a five year old anyone over about 25 is old. We frequently tell our granddaughters we’re old because we are compared to them. Can’t see the problem. Being old in years doesn’t have to mean you’re old in other ways but that’s a bit subtle for a five year old.

NannyC1 Mon 25-Sept-23 14:36:57

My Gd told me "this is how old nannas walk upstairs. My DD told her that's not nice to call Nanna old" I said sshh I'll use that to my advantage. The next week she wanted me to get in the floor and play a game. I said I couldn't cos I'm old and have trouble getting up. Got out of that and many other things I didn't feel like doing since. grin