WIBU to tell my 62 year old dad there's no point in him doing A-Levels!?

[redsector]

My dad has apparently been inspired by his grandchildren! to do a couple of A-Levels. He's a brainy old folk and has recently been told of a discount in tutoring (what my dc used as family friend) so would like to give it a go. Surely it's a waste of time/ effort/ money, etc!? Or do I just roll with it?

Not sure if the OP was genuinely expecting a little light age-bashing to pass the time?

Seemed to be genuinely shocked that others didn't see her father as she does. And hopefully challenging the idea of the over 60s as useless washed up old coots.

Strange that she views her father as simultaneously brainy yet unsuited to learning. Perhaps he should be focused on appropriately old fogey activities?

Anyhow, it's sparked off a wealth of inspiring stories of older people who continue to be both the people of value they are, and people with a future worth thinking about.

So that's good :)

I wish your dad every success - he sounds fabulous! Knowledge is precious for its own sake, not just for what job you get at the end of it.
He could do a degree when he's finished his A levels - if he's retired he will never have to pay the fees back ...

YABU OP. I met an Asian man on the postgrad campus of our university. I asked him what he was studying, he replied that he wasn't studying anything, but was here to accompany his grandmother who was doing her Phd!

I think the op is one of those half empty people really negative even if dad doesnt pass his exams (he probably will) it doesnt matter life is about challanging yourself you cant just roll over she says to scared to take up driving again

The ballet one has reminded me.... I was in a community centre a couple of months back and in the room next door there was a 1:1 ballet lesson going on. I was transfixed by the student's beautiful carriage, flexibility, grace, and the integrity with which she danced. Later I got chatting to the teacher and he told me she's his favourite student and is 76! I thought she was about 50. Somehow all her life experience just added to the beauty of her dancing.

Is this the same poster who thought her DD was too old to learn diving at 16?

Come on, OP there must be something you would like to learn? Just go and do it and find out how much fun there is to be had from learning some thing new as an adult.

My Dad started learning German at 72, he did GCSE and then A level

I want to learn guitar, piano and computer programming.

Presumably your children could have failed their A Levels too - did you tell them not to bother either?

How can you be to old to learn to drive at 16?

Dive, MrsJayy.

Oh right

Bloody hell OP. You may have disappeared off this thread but please read and inwardly digest what others have said.

I'm not far off your Dad's age and my DCs would be so so so encouraging if I did a couple of A levels. They would be over the moon. I left school at 15 with barely anything to my name and they are saying I should do this because I've achieved a lot in my life but have little formal education. I had a change of career at 50 something and became very successful at it. Stop writing off older people, it's patronising.

You should be so proud of your Dad. You are never too old to learn. Do you imagine we just curl up, get boring, be uninterested, not want to learn anything at this sort of age? Quite the opposite OP. More likely us older ones have the time, money and opportunity to do something like this and to not encourage him is just plain mean.

Good on your Dad, I am in total admiration and so should you be.

Wow. So according to you he's 65, over the hill and what the fuck is the point now eh?

I hope he isn't put off by your negativity.

Good luck to him. I hope he gets Grade A passes and then spends the inheritance on University fees!

Oh Shit He isn't even 65! He's 62 so even more ridiculous!

Another one looking to do a PhD when I retire! Already did a degree at 30 and masters at 42...

Ooh physics and maths! I'm excited for him and jealous as I currently can't study! That's what I want to study too.

Of course he is not too old. My OH, who left school with just an Art O lwvel did an open University Course at 62.

Still fuming at "brainy old folk". Such a hideous thing to say!

He's incidentally younger than both US Presidential candidates.........

How is old offensive? Young isn't? And Young is linked to immature, etc.

It's offensive because he's not old! 62 is not old

Most of Britain's senior judges including the President of the Supreme Court, the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls are older than your Dad.
Mind you they are "brainy old folk"

I see the OP has dropped in full of wide eyed innocence about how offensive her comments are.

Context. It isn't an insult per se, same as young. If you're using his age as a reason for not learning something new then it's possibly quite offensive.

"How is old offensive? Young isn't? And Young is linked to immature, etc."

Bollocks

MAybe OP should try a course in English, she might make more sense.