Baby has six grandmothers and is the fifth living generation of her family
A baby has become the fifth living generation of her family on both her mother’s and father’s sides.
There’s no shortage of love, or babysitters, for 8-month-old, Eloise Holland, from Blackpool, who has six grandmothers and is the youngest member of the five generation family.
There are 97 years between her and her great-great-grandmother Brenda Scarisbrick, who is the eldest member of her family.
And the infant is lucky enough to also have her maternal great-great-grandmother Margaret Wright, 74, to look up to too.
As well as her parents, Eloise has a grandmother, and great-grandmother on both sides of the family.
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Mum Sofia Holland, 18, says her unique family has offered her and Eloise’s dad, Liam Underwood, 21, plenty of support as young parents.
“My daughter is perfect and I have the most amazing family around to support me as a young mum,” she says.
“I feel incredibly lucky.”
Sofia’s mother, Karla Holland, 37, is a full time mum-of-five, while Liam’s mother, Linda Barnes, 40, works as a full time carer.
They are both grandmothers to baby Eloise, and are the third generation of the family.
Karla’s mother Carol Bellone, 53, is an advertising sales manager and Linda's mother, Kath Barnes, 70, is a retired saleswoman.
Both are great-grandmothers to Eloise.
Incredible as that is, the family doesn’t end there, as Eloise has another generation of relatives further up the family tree.
Carol's mum, 74-year-old ex professional ballroom dancer and retired student services worker Margaret Wright is Eloise's great-great-grandmother.
While Kath’s mum, retired farm owner Brenda Scarisbrick completes the set, at the age of 97.
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Explaining how her younger family member help her feel young Margaret said: “The main thing is keeping up with the kids.
“They’re always up and about, and it's exhausting at times, but I love them all dearly.
“We have great fun together.”
Eloise’s great-grandma Carol also says having such a large family helps keep her on her toes.
“I like to think I'm cool and down with the kids,” she says. “My six grandchildren and one great grandchild keep me fairly busy as you might expect!”
She says family get-togethers are always filled with love and laughter.
“And on Mothers’ Day we always make a fuss of each other. It is a lovely time of the year for us.”
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t the odd disagreement.
“When we do squabble most of the time it's over Trivial Pursuit,” she admits.
Brenda, now a great-great-grandma, says Eloise was lovingly welcomed in November and is “absolutely spoilt rotten”.
“There is lots of bickering to see who’s turn it is to hold her or feed her, and Sofia is never short of a baby sitter,” she says.
But the family aren’t so keen on one aspect of the baby caregiving.
“Funnily enough though there never seems to be a queue for a nappy change.”
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Karla says having their own children early means the family have been able to pass on their experiences of being young parents.
“Sofia had Eloise when she was 17, I had Sofia when I was 19, my mum had me when she was 16 and her mum had her when she was 19.
“There is always somebody to talk to when you need advice,” she adds.
Additional reporting SWNS.
