Best Posts in Thread: Raising a Child Again

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 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? )

 

You've got it in One, have we not always, blamed the Parents?

JP