An Indian couple who both happen to be in their 70s just had their first child, a baby boy. They’ve been married for about 46 years but it’s only now that they have finally managed to have a child, thanks to IVF treatment.

I’m glad they at last get to experience the joys of parenthood but I ‘m not sure I would want to have a baby in my 70s. I’m not even in my 40s yet and I’m already starting to feel aches and pains I didn’t have five or so years ago. I’m also no longer as active as I used to be in my teens and early 20s. 

How then will these 70 year old parents cope? I know many people were raised by their grandparents, with HIV/Aids, other illnesses and unexpected deaths that have often meant grandparents had to look after their children’s kids but if it weren’t for that, no one in their 70s or older should have the burden of raising a child at a time when they themselves should be resting and enjoying the last years of their lives. 

In fact, people this age are the ones who need to be taken care of. Can this new mother even breastfeed? I would hate to have to wake up in the middle of the night to soothe a crying baby or be tasked with helping with homework when my child starts school. 

The poor woman would probably need reading glasses and classes of her own to catch up because I’m sure the curriculum has changed since she herself last attended school. 

Then there’s the whole Parents-Teacher Conferences (PTA) business, school events and other occasions that require one’s parents to attend. You all remember how we sized up each other’s parents in school, from their appearance to their clothing and the cars they drove. 

That boy’s parents will be mistaken for his grandparents and someone will surely tease him about it. On top of that, their baby is a boy. You know how active this gender is. The little boy will probably want to run around or engage in play fights and his parents may not indulge him, not because they don’t want to but because their age restricts them. 

I know many 70 year olds who need help just walking around the house. Some are wheelchair bound or need walking sticks and canes. It will be interesting to see who will have more doctors’ appointments between the boy and the parents. 

I hope this couple saved enough money because IVF is not cheap and they must have spent a lot over the years trying to have the baby and now that he’s here, they are going to spend even more on food, education, medical and other expenses. They must be retired by now so I’m honestly be worried for them. 

Most of all, I hope they live long enough to at least see their son graduate and start his own family. It would be sad if they died and the little boy had to grow up on his own, with no siblings or parents.