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Original poster

What Age Did Your Parents Become GPs?

337 replies

Lilpastry · 10/11/2023 09:19

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?

OP posts:
Simd1 · 10/11/2023 22:10

All four GPS were between 59 and 64 when our first child was born.

lapochette · 10/11/2023 22:14

My parents 57 and 60

underneaththeash · 10/11/2023 22:15

Dm would have been 56 and DF 58 (but he died 3 years later), my mum re-married and DSF died a year ago. DM is now 73.
My dad was unwell when we had children anyway, so DM was more involved when my dad died.
OP - you have children when it suits you and not your parents.

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AngelinaFibres · 10/11/2023 22:16

My parents were mid fifties and working fulltime when I had my children. I retired at 55 and my grandson was born when I was 56. I look after him for 10 hours every Monday and on other days if I don't have other plans.

DangerousAlchemy · 10/11/2023 22:18

My Mum was 61 & my Dad was 60. My DH parents were both 55. However my Dad died when he was 72 and my Mum followed 4 years later when she was 77. I'm glad I had my kids when we were 28 so my parents had time with them when they were young 💗💗

BerryDelicious · 10/11/2023 22:19

60 and 65 for their first GC - and they were 68 and 73 for their youngest GC. They aren’t particularly hands on and I do think this is affected by age.

Nanny0gg · 10/11/2023 22:21

Lilpastry · 10/11/2023 09:19

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?

We were 55 and early 60s.

It was fine then. Feeling our ages now! Perfectly reasonable for you to wait till you're ready

Manthide · 10/11/2023 22:21

My parents were 48 and 49, I was 56 and dh 61, our dds are in their 30s and we are expecting gc number 2 (at 58 and 63).

Joeylove88 · 10/11/2023 22:25

My Dm was 56 when my DD was born shes 57 now but shes got lots of physical pain issues from being a carer for my stepdad for 18 years! My DP parents are 67 & 70 and they babysit all of their grandchildren on a weekly basis. Age doesnt necessarily mean more capable.

Haveyouseenthemuffinman · 10/11/2023 22:29

My dad was 59 and my mum 61. Dad declared himself too going to be a grandad, and it’s true he’s only really warmed to being a grandad in his late sixties (and has never been terribly engaged with them).

BestieBunch · 10/11/2023 22:30

My parents were 57 & 63 ( my died at 68), PIL’s were 38 & 39 (with SIL’s children) & are now 64 with a great grandchild x

Kattitude · 10/11/2023 22:31

My parents were both 49, hubbys were 63 and 70…. and they were old :(

I was 48 and hubs 52 when our eldest gs was born :) both of us young enough to take care of and play with him for more than a couple of hours at a time.

AnneElliott · 10/11/2023 22:37

65 and 62.

MrsMiddleMother · 10/11/2023 22:42

My parents first became grandparents at age 36 (mum) and 41 (dad)
And aged 53 and 58 to my children

MirandaWest · 10/11/2023 22:43

My parents were 55 and 54

user50and · 10/11/2023 22:43

61 & 58

purplehair1 · 10/11/2023 22:47

Blimey I’m 55 and I would be horrified to become a grandparent! (My kids are 19 and 23)

Kezb16091983 · 10/11/2023 23:08

I was 23with my first 25 with second and 36 with third. My mum and dad were 47 and 58 with my first, my mum played a massive role in helping to look after the first two. She would love to help more with the second but isn't in to great health, which h makes me sad for her as I know she'd love to have him more

namestuck · 10/11/2023 23:17

I read this as actual GPs!! (As in Doctors)
My DM was 50 with her first GC (My DBs) but she was 56 with my first. DHs Parents exactly 10yrs older than my DM.

PineapplePomPom · 10/11/2023 23:21

I was 50 and my husband was 62 (My son's GF gave birth to twin girls on DH birthday last year. Sadly, my DH passed away last month 😞 DH wanted a grandchild for a long time, I've never pressurised any of my 3 children to have children. It's bittersweet because although he got his wish, he's not here to see their milestones or celebrate his birthday with theirs.

notacooldad · 10/11/2023 23:24

Mum was 49 and dad 48 when my youngest sister had a baby.
I am 58 and no grandchildren on the radar for me!

Notamum12345577 · 10/11/2023 23:28

Lilpastry · 10/11/2023 09:19

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?

Parents 42 and 46. MIL was 37

tammie49 · 10/11/2023 23:32

Surely it's not up to them when YOU have children. Besides, some people are very active at 70 and others "old" by 60.

My mum was 56 but as such still working (still is and DS is 7) and also 2 hours away. My dad was 71 and died 3 months after his grandson was born.

My in-laws were 69 and 70, 4 hours away and now pretty frail.

Ultimately we've had minimal help from grandparents and when they are with the children they're not super active. I also have a stepdad who was 64 when my eldest was born. It is what it is ultimately. I'd love my mum to be 10 years younger, living more locally and available for a bit of ad hoc childcare but she's not and we're fine and my kids have a good relationship with her.

Fionaville · 10/11/2023 23:36

48 and 50. Mum was 21 when she had my sister and sister was 27 when she had her first. So I suppose hopeful GPs can't really complain if they didn't have their own children young.

DramaAlpaca · 10/11/2023 23:36

Mine were 57 & 59, DH's almost a decade older.

DH and I are older than mine were now, but there's no sign of us becoming grandparents. Which is fine by me as I don't feel quite old enough yet to have grandchildren. I'm sure it'll be lovely when/if it happens.

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