A woman who became a grandma at 31 says she constantly gets mistaken for her grandchild's mum.
Rachel Garrett Smith, 33, from Kansas, became a grandma back in 2021, when her step daughter, Sheridan Smith, 25, gave birth to her first child.
Marley Batchelder was born on 19 January 2021, making Rachel and husband Adam Smith, 48, grandparents.
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Sheridan and her partner Bobby now have two children, after welcoming a second daughter, Cora in March this year, meaning Rachel is now a gran-of-two.
“I never expected to be a grandma so young it is crazy,” says Rachel.
“I was so shocked when I found out. Sheridan and I decided that Marley would call me ‘mimi’ so I don’t sound so old.
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“She is adorable and it will be lovely to run around with her when she is a toddler.”
There is a 17-year age gap between Rachel and Adam - who has two children from a previous marriage, Sheridan and 24-year-old Brandon.
“I am super close with Sheridan," Rachel continues.
“We’re close in age so she calls me her ‘from’ - friend mom.”
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The pair have even been mistaken for sisters on occasion.
“The waiter called us sisters but we didn’t correct her," she says.
“It was just funny - we don’t even look alike.”
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Sheridan and Bobby first told Rachel and Adam they were expecting back in July 2020.
“They passed us a beer and it had a sticker on it that said ‘baby Batchelder due February 2021'," she says.
“I was so shocked and Adam cried. I have never wanted my own children but it is weird to wrap my head around the fact I am a grandma but I’m at the age of having my own children.”
Marley was born a month early weighing 4lbs 12oz on 19th January 2021, but was healthy and able to come home after spending just a few days in hospital.
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“It was so surreal but I fell in love with her immediately. It is still strange to me but she is amazing.
“I am ready for people to mistake me for being Marley’s mum. I’m used to that sort of thing as people have thought I am Adam’s daughter.”
Cora, meanwhile, was born six weeks early in March 2022 weighing 4lbs 11oz.
And while Rachel finds it hard to get her head around being a young grandma, she adores the little ones.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world," she says.
Lucy Devine