- My parents had me when they were 39 and 36, and my younger brother at 45 and 42.
- I'm now an adult, and my brother is a teenager.
My mom was 36 and my dad 39 when they welcomed me into this world. They had my younger brother when they were 42 and 45.
As I entered my teenage years, I began to grasp the significance of this. My brother seems to be even more aware of our parents' age than I was at his age. He'll be 14 years old when my father turns 60 next year.
Looking back, I understand how having older parents with a more traditional upbringing made me who I am today.
I had a more traditional upbringing because of my parents' ages
My parents had high expectations for me and encouraged me to excel in school. They provided unwavering support, even if it meant sacrificing their time and resources. Their emphasis on education taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, and I'm grateful for it.
They also insisted that I never miss a day at school, even when I was feeling under the weather. This may sound strange and even irresponsible to some, but this was how it always was.
As a child, I remember waking up to the sound of my alarm clock ringing every morning, and no matter how tired or sick I felt, I would drag myself out of bed, get dressed, and head to school, knowing that missing a day was not an option — and neither was being late.
My brother's friends have grandparents the same age as our parents
Born almost a century ago, my grandparents instilled timeless traditions in my mother, and she carried forward these traditions in how she raised my brother and me. For instance, my grandmother, who shared stories of being evacuated to the English countryside during World War II, shared powerful life experiences. These values have been passed down through generations and play a pivotal role in shaping our family dynamics.
My friends at school had parents in their early 30s, with grandparents born as early as the 1960s. Growing up with parents who seemed considerably older than my friends didn't concern me much, but the difference is much more obvious for my younger brother. He has friends whose grandparents are only a few years older than our parents.
Raising me and my brother kept my parents young at heart
Despite becoming parents later in life, my parents maintained a youthful spirit while raising my brother and me. Their ages didn't deter them from trying to be "cool" in front of my friends, an effort I often found embarrassing.
My mom would blast the latest pop music in the car, attempt trendy dance moves, and engage in friendly banter with my friends, even if she didn't know the latest moves or jargon.
Overall, I'm grateful for my traditional upbringing
My parents instilled in us the confidence to tackle big, real-world problems. They also emphasized responsibility, manners, respecting rules, and doing household chores.
Looking back, I'm grateful for the foundation my traditional upbringing provided. It taught me the importance of balance — embracing excitement and spontaneity while understanding the value of discipline and hard work.
These lessons have helped me navigate life away from home with confidence and resilience. My parents had us later in life, but they showed me that age is just a number when it comes to keeping a youthful spirit.
When my brother turns 21, my father will be 66 and my mother 63, at which point, they'll be ready for a well-deserved retirement.