Anybody had an older parent when growing up?

[Shaz83]

anybody Had an older parent when they were younger and how did it feel are your parents still here. How old are they do they help out with child care etc.. if you have children..I will be 42 when my daughter is here so just wondering if anyone had older parents?

Wow you lost ur parents young.. that’s horrible. I’m sorry for your losses..

Thank you. But I think it's rare, as other posters have said, parents can die at any age.
Considering my parents were older, they were very laid back about letting me go out and be free as a teenager. As a result I became very independent which has helped me now they're gone.
I do think the world has changed a lot now and children are living at home for longer, having kids later in life and living longer! You aren't old and you won't seem old to your baby, they'll love you no matter what.

That’s so sweet. How long did you have your dad for?

My parents were 35 & 45 when I was born, and 40&50 when my brother was born.

I'm now 32 and they are 67 & 77

Honestly I never noticed growing up, and only really realized it was unusual when my uni friends were celebrating their parents 50th birthdays!

I have been lucky in that they are both young and active for their age and sometimes I'm shocked when I see 'elderly' people on tv or wherever and realize they're the same age.

I guess you just can't predict the future, but lots of people have babies in their 40s it's not that uncommon!

My dad was 42 when I was born and 60 when my youngest brother was born. He was a very modern dad and we didn’t notice

I had my DD at just turned 42. I don’t feel out of place in the playground at all. I look (but don’t feel) young. I will
do everything in my power to stay healthy & active in order to help her & be there for her. I have zero help from family but great friends so we’re doing ok. There’s only 1 mum that had her child below 30 at my DD’s school.

My parents were early 40s when I was born. They had both died by the time I was 25. They were great, active parents when they were alive but I really wish they’d been a decade younger when they’d had me (I know it doesn’t work that way, but…)

I had my first at 21, village school - I was very much the youngest and only single parent. A witch!!

2nd at 33, dad was 43... We're separated but still coparents. Going strong pushing 50 and 60!
I was the oldest Mum at school then. I'd learned not to give a shit!

Although at 35 walking DD to shops, some old lady said "us Nanas do all the work eh?" Eh?!!! 🤣

I'm a grandma now via eldest, luckily I have a good relationship with gds Mum. My health isn't brilliant at 49, but definitely 7 years ago I was at my peak. I've had a few issues thrown at me health wise, but I'm still running round the park with DGD... Blummin eck, she's like a rocket! And off...!!!

Congratulations!! It'll certainly keep you young. X

Well if it makes you feel any better, my husband was born when his parents were 32 and 33, he was still orphaned (both cancer) by aged 19, 20 years ago.

I do agree that a.40 year old's life experience in 1970 is very different to a 40 year old today's which could have led to a larger "generation gap". Plus, now the average -mean - age for a woman to have a first baby is over 30, there are so many 40ish parents of babies around.

Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, what a joy 💖

Ps my dad died aged 45 when I was 18.

Mums still going strong, travelling around Europe in her camper van!

You just never know.

My mum was 44 when she had me and my dad would have been 45. My mum died of cancer when I was 12 but my dad died when I was 38.

My parents were old fashioned and stuck out when I was at school.

I ended up having my only DC when I was 40. Because of my own experiences, I work hard to be healthy and stay youthful in my outlook and attitudes. I’ll never be the “cool mum” but at 51 I have been told I don’t look (or act!) my age.

I think people don’t age like they did 40 years ago. We are younger for longer, IYSWIM.

42 is not like 42 back in the 70s when I was born so I think as long as you are healthy, having a newborn at 42 should be fine.

I come from a long line of people who had kids at 40+ and while it means I never met my grandparents, my parents have got to know my DC well (not much childcare though as they live abroad!) and it never really bothered me as a child. Plenty of parents at my DC school were 40ish when they had their kids and they all just blend in with everyone else, I had mine around 30 but wouldn’t bat an eyelid at a pregnant 42yo tbh. Congrats on your pregnancy 💐

My mum was 44 when she had her last child - she's now 70 with a 25, 27, 29 and 39 year old! I never thought of her as an 'older' mum and because she was more settled, it means that in my 20's, she's retired and more available. I'm about to have my first baby and it's great that she can be around! Whilst she may not be as fit & mobile as other mums, age is just a number and doesn't guarantee anything. My mother in law is 56 and has a whole host of mobility issues, so I would argue my 70 year old mum is far more hands on and capable! My dad is also an older parent at 63 with a 29 year old (his eldest) and the youngest being 8 (with some others in between!). I'm not sure of the perspective of my younger siblings, but for me, it means that my dad is also retired and great to have another parent around for their first grandchild!

Basically, moral of the story - I wouldn't worry! Age is just a number and I think as long as you're young at mind & heart, the rest will follow!

I went to school with a girl who's dad was 72, we were 12 at the time and that seemed ancient! Her mum was about 25 to 30 years younger than her dad. I bumped into my friend when we was in our mid 20's and was surprised to hear that she had sadly lost her mum, but her much older dad was still very much alive.

My dad was born in the late 1930s, my mum early 1940s so ww2 era. They were 40 and 45 when I was born in the early 1980s. I'm around your age now , OP.

They seemed much older than the other parents, and so different to. It was a different time and era to the those born in the 1950s and it showed.

Most new mothers now are what society considers to be millennial, and we are considered to be ' young ' . They are all classed as the same cohort. I wouldn't worry so much about that.

My parents were healthy and fit until their 70s .

Times have changed, so experiences won't be the same. When I was growing up I felt my parents were 'older parents' compared to my friends' and they were 29 and 30!
But I was 36 and 39 when I had mine and there were several other similarly aged (including older) mums in the NCT group and baby classes so I definitely didn't feel the odd one out.

I never noticed it! My grandmother had her last child at 45 so wasn’t uncommon. Sadly 5 of my friends have either lost both or one of their parents in their late 30s - none due to age.

Life is too short to worry about what mig he happen, just focus on giving your child the best you can.

They were very useful and no one has made me feel bad. In fact I’m feeling way better because of the answers.

My mum was 42 when she had me. She had my three siblings in her 20s. I was an accident, different era back then, she was astonished when she was confused by some symptoms and her GP suggested she could be pregnant!

I’m now 42 with a six year old. Sadly we lost my dad (aged 80 to cancer last year). My mum is now 84, lives alone. She’s a bit age defying, presents as 70, still volunteers at the local hospital. Looks after DD for me for the day no problem, they’re both addicted to Costa. She’s DD’s favourite person in the world, all her grandchildren adore her as she’s loud and very funny.

What's your lifestyle like? I think that's more relevant than age these days. Back in the 70s it was more normal for parents to smoke and drink quite a lot. A smoking, drinking 42 year old is probably a lot 'older' in their body than a fit and healthy 62 year old.

I’m sorry for your loss. How sad 😔

it’s good to read that your mom is around and helping with child care and costa is nice 👌 my favourite too ❤️

My life style is not great I don’t eat fruit or veg I don’t go to the gym…. Maybe I should start…at least I can help prolong my life expectancy I guess…that way I am doing something about it.

Times have changed massively over the last few decades. Having a baby at 42 is not like it was in the 80s or 90s. My parents had me a bit older. I’m 44 now and they’re both alive and kicking.

You’ll be fine OP. Congrats.

Having older parents didn't make the slightest bit of difference to me.

My DF was 48 when I was born. He passed away earlier this year - just before I turned 40. I will be honest and say as a child I worried about him dying a lot. Teachers etc used to think he was my DGF. As luck would have it, he got to see me married and with kids etc. I miss him and wish I could have had more time with him.

Parents had me in their 40's. I'm in my late 30's and they're still with us and living independently. Hasn't negatively impacted my life at all.