Twice people asked my husband if I was his mother. I was 34 at the time, he was 32. He’s dark skinned, dark haired Latino. I’m a super pasty white redhead.

Come to Takoma Park where all the parents look like grandparents and the kids FREAK OUT when they hear a friend say their parents are under 40.

Anonymous wrote:I know a couple who had their first baby when they were in their mid twenties and they had their last child at 40.

The thing is, they’re still stuck in the mindset that they’re “young parents” or one of the youngest parents in their kids circles. (Obviously no longer true, but nobody has the heart to say anything.) It’s cute in a way. In high school one of my friends grandmothers told us that she still feels 17 and that’s how old she is when she dreams.

I guess it’s all relative! That is, until someone comes along and bursts your bubble. Be kind!

I don't know...so many people around here have kids when they are 40+, I don't think it would be that unusual in a class that the youngest parents had the kid at age 40.

I know a couple who had their first baby when they were in their mid twenties and they had their last child at 40.

The thing is, they’re still stuck in the mindset that they’re “young parents” or one of the youngest parents in their kids circles. (Obviously no longer true, but nobody has the heart to say anything.) It’s cute in a way. In high school one of my friends grandmothers told us that she still feels 17 and that’s how old she is when she dreams.

I guess it’s all relative! That is, until someone comes along and bursts your bubble. Be kind!

My sister had twins at 50 (has much much older children too) so as a Kindergarten mom she was 55. She's been called grandma a couple times and I'm sure it's hurt but she's said she's most worried how her kids feel hearing it. She's responded to the grandmother comments with 'I'm actually lucky enough that I'm their mom.' Older moms are not unusual especially around here.

Anonymous wrote:At my child’s elementary school, there was a mom who looked like she was in her 60s. Her hair was all white and her face looked older. I totally assumed it was the grandmother. This is up there with mistaking a mom who is not pregnant as pregnant, right? She must get mistaken as grandparent often. I don’t think she could be the biological mother because she is too old.

She could be the biological mother.

I got pregnant with my daughter at age 40, and my second pregnancy was at age 41. By the time my kids would be in sixth grade, I'd be 52 to 53. I could look like I was in my 60s, I suppose!

Honestly, that’s worse than the not pregnant scenario

If someone is really thin, had a hard life, or no sunscreen / hats/ smoked /drank hard, they can look a whole.lot.older than they are. Hair color makes a big difference, but not everyone can use it (allergic, me) or afford it, or have time to get it done well.

Don’t assume.

My MIL looked like she was in her mid-60s when she was 45.

She worked the fields as a teenager and young adult and overall had a very hard life. Aged her prematurely. Good thing is at 65 she only looks 75.

I'm an "older mom" to my youngest. That's the way my life turned out. The first time I was mistaken for his grandmother it stung, but it does make sense. I've aged. It's reality. No reason to get upset about it IMO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I referred to a super old dad as grandpa at girl scouts once. But it was one of those situations where mom was like 30 and dad was well over 60.

This mom looked well over 60. And I know plenty of people with gray hair.

Yes, you have pointed that out several times. This is really no big deal... move on.