What Age Did Your Parents Become GPs?

[Lilpastry]

I ask because my parents are 55 and 65 and DHs are both 58. We aren't planning kids for about 3 years or so (been together 8, but only married 1).

Anyway, we get lots of frustrated chat (particularly from DHs parents), about time passing and them being too old to be first time grandparents and what are we waiting for etc.

However, neither of us are even 30 yet! DH will be 32 and I'll be 30 when we start trying. All going to plan, my parents will be around 58 and 68 and his will be 61. I don't see the rush, and would say these are normal ages for GPs?

75

42 and 45

48/52. I was 27 when DD was born. Tell them they should have had you sooner if they wanted to be younger gps!

Mine would have been 50 and 48. DPs parents were 47 and 55. But none of my friends have kids yet and are waiting until they're over 30 so their parents will become grandparents nearer 60 and that's more the norm nowadays. You can't rush it just to please other people! You sound like you've planned it all well and all perfectly reasonable ages for yourselves and your parents.

Both my parents were 57 when my oldest, their first grand child, was born.

My mother in law was 70 when my oldest was born however she would've been in her early to mid fifties when her first grand child was born.

77 and 71. Happily 16 years later they are still around to enjoy their GDs.

We all have to make our own decisions but more time now takes time from later. I wish I had had a few more years with my grandfather.

They had their kids in their 30s? So why are they pressuring you to do different?

Both 61

I was 22 when I had my eldest. My parents were 52 and 48.

Mine were 54 and 56.

I was 25.

67 and 64 the first time ( for my sister), but for my eldest they were 76 and 73. For my youngest my mum was nearly 80! They still babysit when we visit / go to the pub!

49 and 54, DH’s parents were 62 I think.

57 and 58 for my parents. 47 and 49 for my ExH's.

My parents were quite involved with my children. We went on joint holidays, they looked after them for a week in the summer, etc.

My brother had his kids ten years later.
My dad got cancer a year later and they were never able to be involved with my brothers kids at anything like the same level.

It still upsets my brother today.

My parents were 58 and 59 when they became grandparents and ILs were a similar age. My parents were quite active grandparents and did lots of outdoor stuff with the GCs. They also did lots of creative stuff like baking and making things.

My ILs didn’t do so much active stuff with the GCs but not because of their age- just because they’re more sedentary/indoorsy people so going to see them would usually involve watching Disney movies and snuggling on the sofa or playing board games.

My grandparents were in their late 60s when I was born. My earliest memories of them were as quite elderly, sedentary people. They definitely weren’t running round in parks with us but that didn’t matter; they were lovely and we always had a nice time when we went to see them. We’d help Grandma get lunch ready or go in the garden with Grandad and look at what he was growing.

My DP were 50 and 53 when I had my first. I am now 61 and there is not even a sniff of a GC in the air! I am happy for my DDs to do what is right for them and would never dream of asking them about this.

@Octavia64, that’s so sad for your brother. Similar story here- my parents died in their mid 60s (having been extremely active and healthy up to that point). My kids were only 5 and 7 then but I am very grateful that they at least met their grandparents and had that time with them. My brother and his wife started their family a little later so their DS was still tiny when GPs died (he doesn’t remember them) and they then had a little girl just after my parents died so Dniece never met them at all. I think that makes my bro and SIL sad.

You're not put on this earth to produce grandchildren for your parents!
They need to lead their own lives and do what makes them happy rather than sit around waiting for you to reproduce!

46 and 48

60 and 62.

Mum 59, dad 63.

I'm 55

Dad was 63 and mum was 54.

And going to the original post, yes that's late.

Most of my friends we're grandparents in their 40s

It's odd to me that they are going on about this. What if you decided that you didn't want children for another 10 years, or that you didn't want them altogether

My mum was 39 when she first became a grandmother from my oldest sister, whereas my other sister was 42 before she even had her first baby.

IL were just 50 and MIL was furious - DH was 30 so they were ones starting young not us.

They came round and now I think they agree they had it best good health to enjoy doing things with young kids - and working though they'd never offer childcare or us take it anyone but a useful reason to give people - MIL can lament she couldn't do it to others while she never have wanted to do it. They enjoyed it way more than the thought though they were incredible inflexible and difficult in early years.

Dad was 62 - Mum was mid 50s - had last 3 years ago and find him too much to deal with due to ill health in 70s.

Quiet a few of IL friends have only just become GP in last few years late 60 to early 70 and they do struggle with energy - it does vary a lot though. One of DH cousins same area mid 50s has just become a grandparent.

Two of my kids have already said they don't want children and not to expect GC - I wouldn't anyway it's their lives.