When are you too old to be a parent?

I was on a telephone call last week to a possible investor who was grilling me about my business and the story that inspired me to create my brand.

As a quick recap, the inspiration came from my son Henry’s poor eating decisions as a vegan. I was asked how old Henry was?

The inference being whether it was age appropriate for me to still be concerned about my son. As Henry was only 16yr at the time although full transition to a vegan was when he went to university, that seemed to satisfy their concerns.

However, it made me stop and reflect. We see many brands started by concerned mother’s and they are usually toddlers or primary age children, and this is always a legitimate and compelling story.

The story of mother’s being concerned about older children, and whether they are eating well when they are in their late teens and off to university, is obviously not so engaging and you will never see pictures of me with Henry for that reason.

When I was thinking of my brand story it was probably the reason why the one of ‘naturally empowering’ a woman in her 50’s changing her career and going outside her comfort zone, felt more authentic and engaging.

Although the relationship changes as children get older and rightly so, and it is obviously vital to step back and not interfere and let our children learn the challenges that life has to offer, we remain as their parents whatever their age.

Once our kids go to university, they are clearly adults and are of voting age, but living on your own for the first time, can often throw up many challenges, and ‘poor eating’ habits can be one of them.

I won’t be posting pictures of Henry any time soon, particularly now as my involvement has long gone, but even as my boys get older, they remain my children and I will continue to love them, support them and care.