My 3 1/2 yr old boy had a bad dream some time during the night last night or early this morning and called for me. His bed is next to ours and I told him I am right here for him. He crawled over and laid down against me and fell back asleep. I was reminded what a tremendous responsibility it is to properly raise a child, but also how rewarding it can be. Patience, understanding, listening, firmness are all skills needed and as we age we become less tolerant of distractions so it is d*mn hard work. So guys who are considering having a child (your wife/gf probably wants one) think deeply about the commitment before pulling the trigger.
I agree, there is so much responsibility in raising a child, particularly if you take it seriously. I can remember some of the stressing situations that I endured a a much younger age, and they were still a challenge then. In particularly was my rather impetuous manner of just doing things, only to find out "well, yes, hon we can leave in about 3 hours, after I bath, feed, and give a nap to your child". I was more of the quick on the move guy before children. Your thread surprise me as, I thought it was going to talk about GFs here....
I managed to 'escape' fatherhood until 8 months ago, and for sure there is no 'ideal time' to have such a life-changing responsibility. I do however, consider myself extremely fortunate in being able to raise my child in .PH where Yaya/nursing help is so affordable. A saving grace during stressful times when otherwise my wife and I would probably be fighting like cats & dogs! Yes I am scared out of my wits that I may not be able to source the quality of education for him that I would desire - but then again, all the successful people I know came from the "University of Life", not the Etonian 'olde school tie' network? Sleepless nights and having your patience tested daily is very difficult - but when I look into my son's eyes and watch his cheeky smile, it's priceless. I know, I know.. Just wait until he's a teenager who hates me and everything I stand for, but when you sight young "educated" Filipino's out and about - are they really that bad? Compared to the vagrant layabout's walking to school in the UK nowadays - I reckon the schoolchildren/adolescents here are pretty darn good! OK. throw it back in my face in 16 years time when my 'boy' steals my motorbike, gets drunk and treats me like an ATM - but then again - he's got my genealogy so it's not his fault? )
How VERY true Jack. Not sure if my parents should have been congratulated or castrated?... The jury's still out on that one!
Well Andrew you got that one right and of course you will have this to look forward too. No matter where we are, who they are, from whatever nationality they are Teenagers. My 15 year old has just done the same thing as all 3 of her elder Sister did all those years ago, Changed her Mind 3 times in 10 mins and then told us but I TOLD you last Night I would be doing this. Knowing we were going out at 11.30 to Friends for Lunch She Decides that she has to be at the Other end of the City at 11.15 and Like Good Parents guess where my Wife is right now.? Of course you are right. Don't we just Love them all the same? JP
I was thinking of maybe a league transfer list for those Off days! But a day at Lola's usually deals with this. JP
