I have three children 27 to 30 ( almost 31) who have no plans to marry and no plans for children. I hit the null and void lottery as far as weddings and grandchildren.
Neither marriage or children are being considered in their near future. D1 has been with her partner for over 7 years. But there are no plans for marriage and she indicated she does not want children… S just broke up with his gf of 3 1/2 years. D2 is in a 1 1/2 yea relationship. Too soon to tell but of neither want biological kids. Bf has a severely disabled sibling.
I know it may be too soon to tell, but boy do I feel deprived. None of them getting married or having children?!? When and if they decide to, I will too old to enjoy. I’m already almost 64.
have faith, Morris…I recently ran into goskid’s elementary school principal. (My kids are 25 & 27). Principal proudly pulled out picture of their 9 month old grandson. Her 48 year old S married a 43 year old woman two years ago. They thought they would never see a grandkid… You just never know…fingers crossed for you…
You can enjoy grandchildren at any age. My mom lived to see her first great-grandchild. She was well over 90 at that point. She loved the child and the child loved her. They had lots of fun together.
@morrismm – I’m in the same boat! Happy that my kids are happy, but definitely would be happier with grand babies on the horizon.
At one point, I got so desperate, @menloparkmom and I were plotting to get our science grad students children together! Yea, matchmaking with a person I’ve never seen who has a son I’ve never met. Yes, these kids would probably be appalled if they knew!
PS How old is your son, what does he do and where does he live?
I tell my kids constantly that I would be a great grandmother some day (hoping it would wear them down). The other day D1 said, “I think I may be ready for a baby soon.” D2 said, “Whoo, not so fast here. I am not exactly an adult yet. What would I do if you got a baby?” I think D2 is my impediment in having a grandbaby.
I think that is great, Marriage and children are vestiges of a bygone era. Society doesn’t reward women having children, so those women should give society the finger. I tell my kids I would be a terrible grandma.
I’m in the same boat and not fond of the state either @morrismm. Eldest S has been with his gf for 8 yrs, no plans to marry and they don’t want kids. D is on a career path that keeps her on the move and she doesn’t like children on any basis and younger S, well, let’s just let that idea alone while he figures out his life (which could take eons).
I spent the last trip to Ikea looking at kids in strollers and avoiding the baby furniture department!
I have a 53 yr old friend. She has a beautif 3 yr old daughter. Never expected or wanted to get children. She and her hubby adore their baby. BTW, she married when she was 40. Never say never!
I have zero desire to be labeled “grandma”! I will be happy if it occurs but have no desire to be at “that point” in my life! Embrace what you have and rejoice as life changes occur is my motto for life,
I’d also love it if my younger son stays to finish his PhD degree, but he has to make up his own mind.
I’d also love it if my older son stays in ND for several years in order to get some of his student loans forgiven, but – it’s not my life. It’s theirs.
Go volunteer at a Head Start or other preschool or library reading program. And thank your lucky stars that your children are happy and healthy, even if they aren’t reproducing. (But I get it. Babies of our “own” are precious)
My parents were in their mid- to late-70’s when I got married and had children. They were wonderful grandparents. My mom always said children keep you young, so I don’t think age matters.
I have a couple of friends who swore when they were in their late 20’s/early 30’s that they were never getting married or having kids. One eventually married her boyfriend after over a decade of living together. The other also married but insisted they were never having children. Around their 10th wedding anniversary they changed their minds and now have a couple of college aged kids. You never really know what will happen. I’d just be careful not to pressure them.
I was a young woman who said she never wanted kids. I never babysat and didn’t particularly enjoy being around children. But my biological clock started ticking in my late 20s and I ended up having three.
I really don’t think my oldest, the one who has schizophrenia, will ever marry. He never even had a girlfriend before he fell ill, and now he shies away from almost all social interactions. His two siblings are aware that their kids would have an increased chance of having mental illness, so they’re not sure they want to have any. It does make me sad to think I might not have any biological grandchildren. We’ll see, though!
