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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

398 replies

redsector · 19/08/2016 23:36

My dad has apparently been inspired by his grandchildren! Grin 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?

OP posts:
TheNewSchmoo · 21/08/2016 21:19

How mean, let him do what he wants. It is nothing to do with you. Maybe he wants a sense of accomplishment.

RowenaDahl · 21/08/2016 21:23

Bloody good for him!

I wish my Dad had that sort of energy and interest when he was 62.

Daydream007 · 21/08/2016 21:26

Let him do it. Using his brain can prevent dementia. Encourage him!

CasanovaFrankenstein · 21/08/2016 21:35

He should def do it! Good to exercise your brain at any age. Hope he enjoys it.

Momer · 21/08/2016 21:38

I took O level Citizenship and AS Citizenship + Govenemnt & Politics in my late 50s early 60s. Straight As in all three thank you very much.

Bitchin · 21/08/2016 22:04

Your dad sounds awesome. Will it just be him and a tutor? It might be worth encouraging him to go to evening classes or college, the social side of which is great for support and learning. I teach A level Biology and my group contact each other about assignments, it really helped them achieve great grades....I have just gained my masters as 40, I loved going off to Uni once a week and chatting ideas with a whole range of people of different ages and backgrounds. Your dads experience of life will be great in giving the others around him a different perspective. Good luck to him!

Idliketobeabutterfly · 21/08/2016 22:06

Roll with it. The post is a bit mean and tbh he sounds amazing.

Alexcor · 21/08/2016 22:18

Oh dear!!! I am 58 with a sixteen year old daughter....all these comments make me feel old!!! I am not decrepit, senile or putting teeth in a cup at night! Your dad is brilliant and good luck to him. Maybe he could come to gym 3 times a week like me or play badminton twice a week.

MelR0yl89 · 21/08/2016 22:28

Its his money at the end of the day. My grandad was an amazing mathematician. Until about 2 years before he died he was always doing some sort of university degree to keep him going. It was amazing as could go to him for any help with my homework/coursework if got stuck. A very inspirational man and even though my son never got to meet him I will always tell him of his grandad who never gave up even in his late 80's. Was amazing going through all his paperwork when clearing things up

Wafflenose · 21/08/2016 22:28

He sounds brilliant! I would like to do A Level English in later life, actually. Just for fun.

I am a woodwind teacher, and recently gave a few lessons to a 94 year old clarinet beginner. He's now 95 and cracking on with it by himself for the time being. I promise it's true! He didn't tell me his age, but I had a quick Google and found out he's a WWII hero and local celebrity!!

ginger1976 · 21/08/2016 22:41

Assums he is on his own? If so maybe a good way for him to meet new people. And they say using the brain can delay dementia (not that he would have got it but in case he was!). Plus good he is showing an interest in life, keeping himself busy.

BertrandRussell · 21/08/2016 22:46

You know, the "he's a brainy old folk" was bad, but all this oh well done him good to keep busy meet new people stuff makes me want to scream. How patronising can you get???

lurkerspeaks · 21/08/2016 23:00

We're trying to encourage my Dad to finally do the geology degree he has always wanted.... it would get him out of the house, introduce him to new people and interest him (and stop him obsessing over how the neighbours park their cars).

Win win for everyone!

polyhymnia · 21/08/2016 23:10

Brilliant idea. Really exciting. How can it ever be a waste to expand your mind and knowledge?
Good for him.
62 isn't old and even if it were it would still be a great idea. I certainly got one of my A levels when not much younger - and followed up with a MA and a PhD.
Tbh your attitude sounds rather patronising and insulting and I can't really see how it's your business to stop him anyway!

Gruach · 21/08/2016 23:13

Let him do it.

... showing an interest in life ...

I. Despair.

LBOCS2 · 21/08/2016 23:39

OP, I hope that if you take nothing else away from these threads, it's the stories other posters have told you about learning and development after school leaving and it encourages you to take up any and all of the things you sort of fancy turning your hand to.

My DM had a friend who was a consultant anaesthetist, and when she retired she went back to uni to do a BA in music in her 70s. She got a first. She loved being able to ring up to book events and ask whether she got a bigger discount for being an OAP or a student!

I'm currently looking at being a SAHM for the next 4/5 years, and I find myself intellectually stagnating somewhat. So I'm applying to do an MBA from next year. I've never felt like I was 'finished' learning and now I have the opportunity to do some more. I'm not sure if it will help me in my career - I rather suspect not really - but I'm very much looking forward to it.

cheval · 21/08/2016 23:45

All power to him. Why not do it?

user1471522291 · 21/08/2016 23:51

My dad's just graduated with a 2.1 honours degree at the age of 68...good for your dad I say!

mumeeee · 21/08/2016 23:57

YABVU. He is 62 and definitely not old. It’s not a waste of time for him to do A levels.
In fact I would say it's a good thing that he wants to use his brain.

Original poster
redsector · 22/08/2016 00:02

Bert, how many more times are you going to keep coming back to add more comments?

Thanks so much to the poster who felt the need to take the piss out of my grammar... I haven't taken the piss out of anyone here, let alone people who I don't know. My grammar won't get better, unfortunately, no matter how much education I get so please piss off as you seriously don't understand any kind of diagnosis I have.

OP posts:
Lollyp333 · 22/08/2016 00:14

Don't be such a cow! He's not that old and it's great that he wants to learn and do something with his time. Mind your own business!

nursepearl · 22/08/2016 04:19

I think its lovely that he's inspired by his grandchildren! I can imagine my own dad doing something like that. Its great his mind is still active and he will meet new people, maybe make a few friends. Good on him I say! I bet the younger students could learn from him too.

Bubbinsmakesthree · 22/08/2016 04:36

62 is YOUNG! The next president of the United States will be at least 6 years older than him when s/he takes office!

He's young enough to be planning to still be doing another round of A-levels inspired by the GREAT grandchildren!

Y were BVVU but you've realised that Smile

toopeoply · 22/08/2016 07:09

This thread is inspirational. I'm all fired up to learn something new today.

superjan99 · 22/08/2016 07:56

There were two people in their 80's in my degree course years ago.

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