Start Over Dads

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

As life expectancy increases, many men have chosen to start new families later on in life. They are called ‘Start Over Dads,’ men who take on fatherhood in there 50’s, 60’s or even 70’s. But as they grow older, do they create potential heartache for their children? Dr. Sy Coopersmith, 76, a Psychotherapist and start over dad; and his daughter Andie, 17, are here to discuss this growing trend with Suzanne.

It’s true; people are initially surprised when Andie tells a friend that her father isn’t her grandfather. “I think when people see my dad, they don’t question that he’s my grandpa – but when I tell them his age they are surprised, but interested.” The shock wears off after people get to know them and realize they are just a normal family.

Sy tells Suzanne that most family and friends were very supportive when he decided to have a child at the age of 60 – except one. “One person said, “You’re gonna have a kid? Are you kidding! At your age?” Now when I speak with him he forgot that he ever said it, because Andie is everything anybody could’ve wanted.” Now that Sy is older, he says has more time to spend with his daughter. “If I was younger, I would be focused on my career; and wouldn’t have the focus on Andie like I do.” Andie agrees, she can see the differences between father daughter relationships between her father and others. “We’re always together, we talk about everything, and if there’s a problem –they work with me.”

The possibility that Sy would not be around long to be with his daughter was one of the scariest aspects to being an older father. “I thought about it a great deal,” says Sy. “It’s a reality I have to live with,” says Andie. And even though this may be the major looming question, there are other things to ask yourself if you are considering fatherhood later on in life. Are you ready to make a full commitment? And, Can you provide for the child when you are not around?

More and more people are accepting the concept of start over dads. High profile celebrities like Clint Eastwood and Larry King, have caught the public’s eye with their young children. Sy believes the attention driven by celebrities’ families has directly contributed to this new public viewpoint. “It provides the normality of an older father for people across the country who have thought, “Is the father too old?”” Regardless of the public opinion, Sy and Andie prove that parental involvement – not age – is what matters when it comes to raising a family.