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?

Its an insult saying somebody is to young or old for.... is insulting simple really

My mum got a first class law degree at 65. Forgot it all immediately but the confidence boost transformed her. You should be proud of your dad.

OP
You are very fearful and negative, but you've taken on board the comments on both threads with grace.
What would you like to do? What ambitions do you have and what's stopping you?

If you are judging a person's right to do something on a factor other than their ability then that can be discriminatory. Wrong age, wrong ethnicity, wrong sex...

Is that all you have to say, op? How is old offensive?

You're not doing yourself any favours

Your poor family, surrounded by so much negativity

Your post is so depressing OP. So you've discouraged your daughter into taking up diving because she's too old and your dad from studying because he's too old. Is there an age limit in your mind for learning? Should everyone over 20 just sit and wait to die? You must be a joy to be around. Maybe take some time to reflect why you are so negative about people wanting to get up and achieve something in their lives.

I almost laughed at the 'brainy old folk' comment. It's a bit patronising to be honest.

I'm sure you will roll with it (didn't somebody say you were on board now?) OP. This has been a great and positive thread on the whole, so I'm glad you started it.

Ballet story link. Sorry, I'm not a fan of the Telegraph, personally, but that's the best link

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/14/britains-oldest-ballerina-71-passes-her-grade-6-exam/

Sorry, didn't mean for such an annoying reply.

I think it's amazing what many people have achieved on both threads and it's definitely very inspiring!

There is a couple of things I'd love to do, but feel too old, so that's probably why I'm so negative about everyone else doing stuff (I shouldn't be, of course) these threads really have made me realise that the age is never really an issue.

My eighty year old aunt is learning Italian. She gets homework from her classes and sits down to do it at the last minute like a bold girl!

That's a better update

What would you like to do, and why do you feel too old? You can't be, if your dad's only 62

Ywdbu let him learn whatever he wants,because he wants too.

Not RTFT but what an inspirational man OP's dad seems.

There's nothing wrong with being old and while I disagree with the op about 62 being old, I don't think it's offensive for her to think that. I also strongly disagree with posters who say being old is just a 'state of mind.' It's a life stage like any other and it's very real.

What I think is all kinds of wrong is believing old people are incapable of learning and shouldn't take any risks.

I'm 60 in a couple of weeks. I don't consider that old but I don't care if other people do. I'm conscious that old age isn't that far off and I have friends of a similar age who are already dead or in poor health so I'm determined to get the most out of the next decade or two. I'm in the middle of a Masters and want to write a book when I retire.

It sounds like you need a plan op. What is it you'd like to do?

Good for him!

OP I'm 48 and just got a Masters degree last year
DH same age just learned to swim
I'm currently learning to play the piano and plan to do a GCSE and A'level in Maths

You can't be that old if you think 62 is ^very* old. It's not, you can d A'level at 90! It's just to make you feel good about yourself and keep the brain ticking. I felt fabulous wearing my graduation gown in January.

red don't be held back by age, honestly... just don't. Good on you for accepting your first thoughts on it were wrong.

You can tell that the more mature posters who have posted on here aren't held back and nor should they or you be.

(Just watched the olympic triathlon and would love to do that but agree that I'm far too old for that so going for it doesn't work for everything!)

It does the opposite of holding me back: It spurs me on because I haven't got time to waste like I did when I was young.

I'd love to do so many things! I'd absolutely love to learn Spanish/play the guitar (maybe even the drums!) I'd love to take up a martial art, etc.

Maybe I'll give it a go then and surprise myself.

OP you CAN do all those things. You can do them alongside your dad and share your stories. You could have such fun with it. Why don't you surprise your dad?

good on you OP for taking the comments onboard. And good luck to your dad!

And go for it with Spanish/drumming/whatever!

Go for it, nothing is a barrier except you! Just do it 😉

Yes I agree floisme, it is a life stage, distinct from others, as all life stages are. But it's not a limiting time of life where all you can do is wait for your death. It's not a life stage where you must retire from all activities and 'make room' for worthier (younger) people.

Being 60 is not a death sentence.

It makes sense that the OP has such rigid and negative views of what's appropriate for others, if she is judging herself against those rules and regulations.

Life is miserable if you force yourself and others to obey some kind of rigid and linear plan, where people are banned from stepping out of line.

What happens if someone dares to be an actual human and step out of line? I assume you believe people get judged, humiliated, and drummed out of town?

It's good you are challenging yourself a bit on this. Try doing something against your rules and boxes... You might find you enjoy it.

You can learn to do anything you want, redsector!

If you have a 16-year-old DD and a 62-year-old dad I'm guessing you're mid-30s? That's nothing. I'm early 40s & love learning new stuff. My exMIL went back to college at 70.

Pick something and do it! Good luck!