To ask over 50s to check in to show we are not a separate breed of Mumsnetters

[LaureBerthaud]

COVID has really brought out the ageism on Mumsnet! Over 50s are not an homogeneous group sucking on our Werther's Originals longing for the social centre to re-open so we can resume whist drives and coach trips to outlet stores with a nice cafe attached!

I'm mum to DC who's taking their GCSEs next year and I will have to continue working to support them through uni and because I enjoy working AND I have a mortgage!

So stop trying to lock us down - the economy needs us as taxpayers and consumers!

I am 57, exercise regulary, youngest is 16 so GCSES next year. We still have a motgage and i work in school sector, DH can work from home but i can't, i would go mad if i had to stay in at home with him all winter.

62. Have been having regular sex for 46 years and still am, and I wouldn't like to count the number of different partners over that time. I have a DH who is capable of being very unreasonable, I am known to drink too much from time to time.

Still work and have worked all my life, no health issues, supported my own mum for the last 10 years of her life and now support my PIL. Excellent IT skills and volunteer for the ambulance service.

I'm 51. Work full time as a curriculum leader in a core subject in a secondary school. Mum of two young adults. Peloton every morning. Strength train.

Started my own business in my 40s, which was extremely successful and I’m now in my 50s. Business has been massively impacted by Covid, but I’m still the reason many of my clients, including the younger ones, can continue to work. If I hide away, many of them will be royally screwed. I’m fitter than most people half my age, because of my job.

Sorry, I mean MANY people half my age.

56 and youngest is still a teenager. Work full time and just finished a hefty postgraduate qualification. Supporting myself and adult kids through difficult family circumstances. Not ready for the knackers yard quite yet.
Doing loads of new things and meeting loads of new people.
Hate the level of casual ageism on MN and in life.

I suspect there are probably more "older mums" (I am mid-50s with teen), than Mums in their 20s/early 30s. We just lurk in different places on the boards.

I’m 52 I have children who are adults.
I also have foster children who aren’t.
I’m an award winning film and TV producer.

I’m 54 and I completed the Virtual London Marathon last Sunday. I have 3 kids, the youngest is 20 and at uni. I have 3 part time jobs- all very different, and all interesting. One is with one of the emergency services.

56 with a DS at Uni. Go to the gym 3 x per week ( at least i did until I deemed it unsafe today as they are not social distancing in there). Fitter than all of my friends of the same age and some who are much younger. Run a walking group with DH (59) and regularly knock out 30 miles + on the bike. Not ready to be shielded yet!

51 here! (tho' tempted not to count 2020)
Mortgage that'll run another 18 years so no Werther's on the horizon quite yet...

55 yr old with a full time job and a small business. My youngest is 17, another at University and lots of mortgage left.
I intend to stay in my main job as long as possible, can't imagine I'll escape work until I'm at least 70. It's a changing world out there and I know people in their mid 30's only taking a mortgage out now so I think it's how the future will be.

I’m 51 and honestly I shudder at the thought of having young children or teenagers at this age! I’m peri menopausal and it’s caused a lot of issues. I’m glad I only have me to take care of (both my DC are around 30). I work part time because I can afford that and I have no desire to work full time anymore. I like to knit! Or read, preferably with a cat on my lap! I dress for comfort not fashion. I probably fit a lot of “old person” stereotypes.

I have no desire to go out there and “prove” I can still do it all. I don’t want to do it all. I like my slower pace of life now. Why do we have to “keep up” with younger women so as not to be discriminated against? It feels like a lot of people are saying “oh I’m over 50 but I’m not old” which is then still perpetrating the idea that old = useless.

V good points, Meruem.

I know plenty of young people who actually do v little, both physically and mentally, but are still granted the 'youth bonus' .

I'm 60 with a great sex life.

I turned 50 recently, and shared my pain with MN (after being hospitalised with bloody piles of all things on my birthday!)
I have 2 DCs still at school, one attempting uni during the apocalypse ! and two who have left home.
I worked until May (hcp) without ppe, then gave up before I had a breakdown.
I'm just about still here, and I HATE Werther's poxy originals

Just turned 50. Still have 2 teens in sixth form. Still work three days a week and love my job. Cannot bear cooking or gardening or any other of those wholesome activities that the 50+ are meant to enjoy I like eating out in good restaurants and I pay a gardener as I can't tell a rose from a nettle and never intend to learn.

I have an All Saints biker jacket which DD regularly steals. She also steals my NB trainers, my cashmere jumpers and my MAC lipsticks. I'm still passionately in love with my gorgeous DH and snog him whenever I can. The sex is better now than it was in our 30s, if I'm honest. I'm currently rocking an immaculate Shellac manicure in Asphalt, which is an almost black colour, and have matching toes. I will go to my grave in my jeans, expensive lingerie and biker boots x

Over 50 and supporting kids at uni.

I’m over fifty by some way and am so upset by the prevalent feeling here that we are expendable and should go off into a corner and perish, so that younger people can ‘have their lives back’.

I exercise regularly, volunteer, knit for the local hospital baby unit, do lots of other stuff and enjoyed an active social life until this year.

I really think that there are older people who are happy to stay at home and do very little, but plenty more who live active and healthy lives and deserve those lives to continue. I’m sick and tired of being classed as a second class and useless citizen. Older is not useless.

50 here - shocked to think I might be considered elderly! I have 3 teen DC - one just started at uni and 2 in secondary. One has ASD/MH issues and takes a lot of effort and time. I keep everything going! I certainly can't hide away - too much to do, too many people to look after.

I'm over 50, but I refuse to justify my right to exist and play an active role in society. The ageism brigade can take their heads for much needed shit.

56 year old here with 16 year old DD doing A levels before joining the Navy (her choice and dream since she was about 12).
Loving life and have even started colouring my hair, I love this age it’s great.
However, I know none of the tunes played on Radio 1 these days.

Over 50 here. No one is locking me up again. If they do who is going to do my frontline job, pay my mortgage, feed my kids, run my half marathons, etc etc. Old is over 80 😂😂

I’m over 50 and they’ll have to let me out to take my four-year-old to her reception class (assuming Boris is not lying about keeping schools open...mind you, lips moving and all that!)

@Meruem

I’m 51 and honestly I shudder at the thought of having young children or teenagers at this age! I’m peri menopausal and it’s caused a lot of issues. I’m glad I only have me to take care of (both my DC are around 30). I work part time because I can afford that and I have no desire to work full time anymore. I like to knit! Or read, preferably with a cat on my lap! I dress for comfort not fashion. I probably fit a lot of “old person” stereotypes.

I have no desire to go out there and “prove” I can still do it all. I don’t want to do it all. I like my slower pace of life now. Why do we have to “keep up” with younger women so as not to be discriminated against? It feels like a lot of people are saying “oh I’m over 50 but I’m not old” which is then still perpetrating the idea that old = useless.

I don't feel the need to prove anything to anyone. I don't have to work at all, I choose to work full time because I'd be bored otherwise.

And I'm certainly not trying to keep up with younger women, I dress comfortably and apparently stylishly and have no need to bedeck myself in young fashion outfits.