Older women are the bedrock of society

[fiveyo]

I had an unpleasant experience in Tesco today. My 5yo had a total meltdown and my 2yo sort of joined in (he was fine but he didn’t want to be left out). 2yo was in the trolly crying performatively and my 5yo was thrashing around on the floor screaming that he didn’t want to walk. Whilst I was waiting for him to emerge from his funk, a couple of lovely older women approached him and tried to talk sense into him. One actually managed to coax him over to the door (which was where I was waiting for him, he could see me the whole time).

I got lots of sympathetic looks from younger women and one who asked me if I was ok (which made me want to burst into tears). These older women had a different vibe though and they were wonderful, calm and generous either their time.

i got served a real on FB this evening from Jimmy Carr’s stand up show and someone asked him about menopause. He went on to say how he thought that older women are the bedrock of society (he expanded on that but I can’t remember what he said) and it ring so true with my experience today. Thanks to the older women in Tescos today, and the younger ones who looked at me kindly while I was dealing with 2 screaming children 🙏

Glad you had a lovely experience op but I can't say I've had the same.

I had twins and a double buggy side by side, not massive and was told off by an older lady in wh Smiths because I was in the way. I was browsing in the aisle and all she had to do was step aside and I made room for her. She told me that I shouldn't be in here with that!

What a lively post and totally agree.

it was our village church fete today. It struck me that most of the helpers were ladies in their 70’s. Indomitable women that have done this for decades.

I do wonder if it will stop though. So many families came and enjoyed the fete but gave no help or support. Then sat in the pub drinking wine watching all the older volunteers lug chairs and tables up the hill.

That’s such a shame! It’s funny because I want thinking about the age of the people in the supermarket particularly until I got served the Jimmy car clip, it was that which made me think about heir ages. I suppose people can be arseholes at any age though.

I also wonder how the changing role of working age women will affect (if at all) the contribution of those women as they become older? I know a lot of women of my mum’s generation had a much more defined ‘child rearing’ role than women tend to now. How does that impact what women feel able to offer in retirement?

Absolutely

Honestly I don’t get the moaning, I’ve always loved older people, so easy to talk to, so friendly. They are always the cheeriest bunch. I don’t get the invisibility thing either, I feel like they are the most visible bunch as they all seem to know each other and talk to people.

Not sure why Jimmy Carr thinks that feminism has overlooked the older woman though. That's way off the mark.

❤️

I think older women are battle scarred, empathetic and wise enough to be the quiet humble warriors facilitating the good things in life like people have mentioned: family, motherhood, education, safety, community, church etc.

Big up to the older women definitely. 🙌🏻

When I was 19 I went to visit my boyfriend in his University city and he broke up with me. I was sat at Leeds train station in tears waiting for my train home and an older lady came up to me and asked if I was ok.

I told her my boyfriend had just dumped me and she immediately said "I knew it would be because of a man" and gave me a huge hug and said I was going to be ok.

She was absolutely right and I still think of her kindness 20 years later.

I try and carry a set of stickers with me - flat sheets. They have been very useful in distracting children from their outbursts in supermarkets and on public transport! Cheap, easy to carry and always useful. X