A glamorous hairstylist who became a grandmother at the age of 38 has said strangers constantly assume her six-year-old granddaughter is actually her daughter.
Dionne Smith, now 45, from south-east London, says she always has to convince people that she is six-year-old Zariah's grandmother, and not her mother.
She also said that people can't believe she has three sons in their 20s because of how young and glamorous she is, let alone a school-age granddaughter.
Dionne was 16 when she welcomed her eldest son Jordan, 29, who became a father himself at 23.
The mother of three said she felt too young to be a grandparent, which is why she avoids being called 'gran' and 'grandma' – and instead calls Zariah her 'nanny'.
Dionne Smith, now 45, from south-east London, said she always has to convince people she is six-year-old Zariah's grandmother, and not her mother
Dionne said, “I definitely thought I was too young to be a grandma when I found out my son, Jordan, was having a baby, but then again, I thought I was too young to be a mother.
“Jordan was a lot older than me when I got him, so I couldn't really say anything.
'I didn't feel old enough to be called grandma or grandma, so I decided that I would be called 'glam-ma' because a lot of people said I would make a very glamorous and young grandmother, so I came up with my own term.
'I knew from the start that I didn't want to be called a grandma because it just didn't feel right because I was in my 30s, so I go for glamour, or my granddaughter calls me nanny.'
The mother said she was repeatedly told that she looks young for her age, and that “no one ever believes me when I say I'm 45.”
Dionne added, “They say they guess I'm in my late twenties or early thirties.
'So it's even more of a shock when I tell you that my eldest son is 29 and that I have two other sons in their twenties and a granddaughter of six. Their faces are beautiful.
“They say I barely look like a mother, let alone a grandmother.” I have to admit that I have really good genes because everyone in my family looks young for their age.
She also said that people can't believe she has three sons in their 20s because of how young and glamorous she is, let alone a school-age granddaughter. In the photo: Dionne with Zariah
Dionne was 16 when she welcomed her eldest son Jordan, 29, who became a father himself at 23
'I also like to take care of myself, live my best life and dress in stylish clothes.'
Despite her young age, Dionne loves being Zariah's grandmother.
She said there are so many benefits, but balancing her growing family and her career can also be a challenge.
'“If I become a grandmother before I'm 40, it means I'll be young enough to keep up with my granddaughter,” says Dionne.
“I have that young energy and mentality and the way I think is different than most older grandparents. I am not traditional and set in a certain way.
The mother of three said she felt too young to be a grandparent, which is why she avoids being called 'gran' and 'grandma' – and instead calls Zariah her 'nanny'
The mother said she was repeatedly told that she looks young for her age, and that “no one ever believes me when I say I'm 45.”
Despite her young age, Dionne loves being Zariah's grandmother
'I'm more open to the way of life, and I think I'm more understanding too. There are certainly positives to being a younger grandmother, and they contribute to the special bond I have with Zariah.
“However, I'm still building a career and trying to do things for myself, so it can be challenging to find a balance between myself, as a mother and grandmother.”
Becoming pregnant at the age of 16 and becoming a teenage mother was a challenge for Dionne.
Becoming pregnant at the age of 16 and becoming a teenage mother was a challenge for Dionne
She received no support from her family and had to leave school without a diploma
She received no support from her family and had to leave school without any qualifications to care for her baby, but she says this only made her more determined to make something of herself.
Dionne said: 'It was really difficult. My family was disappointed in me, and so were my teachers, because they had high expectations of me.
“My father said I had brought shame on the family, and that I was just going to be another wasted teenage parent.
“This has only pushed me to do better for myself and keep going.”