Woman who became a grandma at 31 constantly mistaken as granddaughter’s mum

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A 33-year-old grandmother has said that she’s often mistaken for her grandaughter’s mum when out and about – and people often assume that her step-daughter is her sibling, thanks to her age-gap relationship

A woman is constantly mistaken for her step-daughter’s sister and her husband’s daughter after becoming a grandma aged 31. Rachel Garrett Smith, now 33, was shocked to find out she was going to be a grandma after her step-daughter, Sheridan Smith, 25, revealed she was expecting in July 2020.

Daughter Marley arrived on 19th January 2021 and Rachel and her husband, Adam Smith, 48, have loved being able to babysit her. Sheridan and her partner Bobby Batchelder, welcomed a second daughter, Cora, on 14th March 2022- making Rachel a grandma of two.

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But Rachel admits it is weird to get her head around being a ‘grandma’ so young – and the times she is mistaken for her daughter’s sister.

“I never expected to be a grandma so young it is crazy,” said Rachel, a data processor, from Kansas City, Missouri, US.

“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.

“She is adorable and it will be lovely to run around with her when she is a toddler.”

Rachel is married to Adam, who also works as a data processor, and there is a 17 year age gap between them.

Adam has two children from a previous relationship, Sheridan and Brandon, 24.

“I am super close with Sheridan,” Rachel said. “We’re close in age so she calls me her ‘from’ – friend mom.”

The pair have previously been mistaken for sisters while out for cocktails at a restaurant.

“The waiter called us sisters but we didn’t correct her. It was just funny- we don’t even look alike.”

Sheridan and her boyfriend, Bobby Batchelder, told Rachel and Adam the news on 4th July 2020.

“They passed us a beer and it had a sticker on it that said ‘baby Batchelder due February 2021,” Rachel said.

“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.

Rachel and Adam got to meet her soon after.

“It was so surreal but I fell in love with her immediately,” Rachel said.

The couple now regularly baby sit and look after Marley. “It is still strange to me but she is amazing,” she added. “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.”

Rachel got to meet her second grandchild Cora when she was born six weeks early in March 2022 weighing 4lbs 11oz.

Rachel and Adam stayed with Marley while her parents were in hospital, and Cora came home after two weeks in hospital.

“Marley is wild and sassy,” Rachel said. “Cora is just a baby but you can tell she’s going to be more laid back.”

Although Rachel finds it hard to get her head around being a young grandma she adores Marley and Kora.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she said.