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Gransnet

Looking for Mumsnet's sister site for grandparents? Then come on over to Gransnet.

Original poster

50+ where do we fit in here?

27 replies

Glissed · 22/09/2013 11:29

A mum to 3 daughters, aged 18-25. No boyfriends on the horizon.

Sadly, we never had things like Mumsnet when had small kids. Looking here, there is nothing for us older parents, unless you are grandparents, parent of a teen.

I am still a Mum, probably more at the empty nester stage. Is there a place on Mumsnet for us ?

OP posts:
BIWI · 22/09/2013 11:30

Of course! I am 54, two boys aged 21 and 18. Have been on Mumsnet for almost 7 years. Registered at Gransnet, but it's definitely too old for me.

Have a good look around and you'll see that a lot/most of what is discussed/debated on Mumsnet is nothing to do with children.

Oh and welcome!

Editededition · 22/09/2013 11:38

OP, there are posters on MN who have no children.
I admit it surprised me at first (why would you?) but have come to realise that Mumsnet offers an incredibly broad spectrum of chat on topics which cover the whole range of human experience. The largest base may be of women with families, but nothing is precluded (unless you happen to be a troll) - and you are certainly a woman with a family Smile

I don't think its a case of asking 'where do you fit' but a case of 'in which few areas do you have no valid opinion' ? Your experiences are valid, and there may be many many areas in which you can offer the benefit of your accumulated knowledge (and there will be a lot, gained in raising three girls to adulthood!)

Post anywhere you please. You will quickly find a 'fit'.

Original poster
Glissed · 22/09/2013 12:04

When you get to my age, everyone assumes you are desperate to be a gran. I am not. Nothing to do with vanity though.

OP posts:
Editededition · 22/09/2013 12:06

You will find a few people here who share your view Smile

helzapoppin2 · 14/10/2013 18:04

I am at the same stage as you, Glissed re kids. I am a Mum in law, but not a gran, or in a terrific hurry to be one.
I am new to Mumsnet. I find reading the threads hugely entertaining. The tone of some of the advice is quite harsh, though
I like Style and Beauty, Health and Good Housekeeping. GH because I like new tips on how to do things. Some 50 pluses post on S&B. It's quite heartening also to find that younger women find some trends pretty unwearable.
I do like it that it attracts a broad spectrum of posters. I enjoy a bit of troll spotting. Well, that's what I presume they are!
After spending five years in conservative America I enjoy the general venting and freedom of swearing on Mumsnet. It's very cathartic!

GurlwiththeCurl · 14/10/2013 18:30

Same here. In my late fifties with twenty-something sons who have not settled down yet. I love reading threads here and though I only post occasionally, I am addicted!

helzapoppin2 · 15/10/2013 00:39

Hi Gurl!. Twenty something's who haven't flown the nest. Now that's worth a thread! Or are yours gone?

GurlwiththeCurl · 19/10/2013 18:17

Sorry, Helza, have only just seen this. DS1 is 23 and has ASD and learning difficulties, so cannot cope with independent living as yet. DS2 is younger and is still at Uni, so who knows what he will do when he leaves. hope for his sake that he gets a good job and moves out!

Hellefrog · 13/02/2014 21:56

So glad to know there is a place for us inbetweeners here!
Found some great advice.

pigglepaggle · 28/02/2014 18:05

I'm a similar age to you and have 3 dc late teens/early 20s no grandchildren yet and been on mumsnet for a couple of years now. Usually read the property/diy which was invaluable when I recently moved house. Food and good housekeeping are another two I go on.

I wish mumsnet was around when my children were young as I was a bit isolated with no relatives or close friends nearby to ask for advice and support.
Love mumsnet and always find something interesting to learn and read about

nikkihollis · 02/03/2014 22:50

I'm 53 with one married dd. No grandchildren.
I love MN and also wish it had been around when dd was growing up because I really struggled with so many things. Also think I'd have left my abusive marriage a lot earlier as well.

I mainly hang around and post in chat but also like S&B, Telly Addicts, General Health and occasionally relationships. I've learned a lot on here, had lots of great advice and hopefully given support and some advice. I don't feel as if I haven't got a place on here even though I'm more the age of most posters' mums. It is also teaching me a lot about what not to do as a MIL!!!!

DidoTheDodo · 10/03/2014 12:26

I'm 56 with 3 offspring and one GC (and another on the way) But they all live hundreds of miles away so I am an absent grandparent.

Families really do come in all shapes and sizes these days!

I hang about chat and aibu and the spiritual bit and the Litter Tray and wander off to other boards as the mood takes me. I also wish there'd been Mumsnet when my sprogs were small.

gormenghast · 29/06/2014 18:26

I'm 66 with one grandchild and just wish Mumsnet had been round when I was bringing up my children. I was a stay at home mum. This was forty years ago, but I was also a woman who liked reading, debating current issues and many other things. i found that so many mums then were what I and a friend called net-curtain mums, ie only wanted to talk about bringing up children and the latest thing they were doing or having done to their houses. I was paralysed with boredom and taken aback by their total lack of interest and knowledge outside their little narrow world. My mother had come from a poor working class background, but had brought her girls up to be educated and to cultivate an interest in the wider world around them.Mumsnet, had it been around in those days would have introduced me to women of like mind, and Mumsnet local would have been a godsend.So don't worry about your age. We are all women after all, whether we are 20 or 90.

Lambstales · 09/07/2014 20:19

Hi, OP, I'm still a Mum too. My DDs are still at University even though they are 21 and 22 heading into their last year. DD1 took a gap and a four year course, DD2's course is four years.

Oh, forgot to say, 54.

The house looks like a bomb site/squat all summer Hmm

Well it's just as well I'm more laid back now....

Fiftyplusmum · 20/09/2014 17:46

Hello, I'm new and thought I would say hello on this thread! I am in my "mid-50's" and have a 23 year old and a 19 year old, both currently at home.

cricketpitch · 11/10/2014 17:38

Also in mid 50's and love MN. Politics, ideas, humour, tips from Good Housekeeping and Property - brilliant. Kids are teens so still find useful parenting stuff. We fit here - definitely

elizadolittlechoc · 16/12/2016 17:14

Just mosied across to see what's happening.My kids are 18,20, 22. I don't feel like a granny yet, but have chosen to help out at a local nursery and love it. No grandkids on the horizon.Is it end of menopause /next stage of life creeping over me?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 16/12/2016 17:29

I think there are loads of us 50+ on MN. My DS are 20,18,16. Really hope not to be a granny anytime soon.

TheMortificadosDragon · 16/12/2016 17:38

I'm nearly 56, DD is nearly 18 - she was quite small (probably KS1 age) when I first came here for advice. I'm sure I'll be on threads with other parents as she goes to uni, but I'm on a variety of non-parenting topics too - dogs, feminism, The Archers and recently the Mortificado alternate reality though that may have run its course. And anything else that looks interesting!

Don't think I've been on GransNet before though!

Brighteyes27 · 17/01/2017 08:41

I'm 51 DS 13 and DD almost 12. I feel like I have empty nest syndrome as my DD is hardly home and DS increasingly addicted to his phone.

Zaphodsotherhead · 17/01/2017 15:45

56, five kids from 28 to 20, all live away from home (either entirely or partially). Two grandsons, but I'm not very 'hands on' (I work, two jobs), and another on the way. Most kids settled and/or in couples.

I never even thought of coming over here for advice, I've just been hanging out on MN, feeling a bit...boggle eyed. Nice to meet you all!

OCSockOrphanage · 08/02/2017 21:09

60, with a 17yo DS, so not old yet. But increasingly aware that TTC and baby naming threads are no longer of interest. And that today's mums are 30 and my contemporaries' children. And that I have a demented MiL and a sane mother in roaring good health. How did I land up here? And Hello!

TiggerTheWing · 28/02/2017 20:31

Hi, I'm 59 with four sons aged 24 (twins), 34 and 35, and a 32-year-old daughter. She's my carer (while my darling husband works overseas) because I have multiple health issues.

I have three granddaughters (1, 2 and 3) and four grandsons (two aged six and two aged 15) who have three half-brothers and a half-sister between them.

I live with my daughter, her partner and their family (three sons, aged six, 15 and 20).

I worked out that by the time the youngest turns 20, I will have spent almost half a century (49 years) living with children and teenagers. Good job I like them and they seem to like me!

Topseyt · 28/02/2017 20:38

I am 50. My three DDs are 21, 18 and 14.

We have all age groups represented here and I think it works pretty well. You will probably find plenty to interest you, and I am sure you will have plenty to offer.

ExConstance · 01/08/2017 14:27

I'm 61, DH and I both work full time, we have two sons who have flown the nest (26 and 22) I feel quite at home on MN most of the topics (think Property, dog house, tack room, AIBU, craft, cycling etc.) are not age related. I think I raised a few eyebrows when I said I wore dungarees and platform Supergra on S&B but the only thing there that irritates me is people who are 35 posting "Am I too old to wear X?"

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