A woman has become a grandma at 31 and constantly gets mistaken for her step-daughter’s sister and her husband’s daughter. Rachel Garrett Smith, 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.
Little Marley Batchelder arrived on 19th January 2021 and Rachel and her husband, Adam Smith, 48, have loved being able to babysit their granddaughter. Sheridan and her partner Bobby Batchelder welcomed a second daughter, Cora, on 14th March 2022 - making Rachel a grandma-of-two.
But Rachel admits it is weird to get her head around being a ‘grandma’ so young. “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, 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 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 they were expecting 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 babysit and look after Marley.
“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.” 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. Cora came home after two weeks in hospital and is now settling in well.
"Marley is wild and sassy. 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 Cora. “I wouldn’t change it for the world," she said.
