Also keep in mind hook that a newborn is gravy compared to a two or three year old. It keeps getting harder until they get to about 5 years old. Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Then, after they are 5 it gets even harder . And when they are teenagers, well that is a whole new level LOL.
By the time they are teen agers you will be happy that you had children, and hopefully you will have many, because your mind will be shot and for many years there will be a teen around you to remind how stupid you have become and that you don't know any thing.
There is hope Hooker, my boys are 16 and 19 and we have a good time together and it has been pretty easy. Worries at times, but for the most part, good fun. Just depends on the child and sometimes no amount of parenting seems to have any bearing on that. I certainly dont take credit for my young men doing well. It takes a village to raise a child. My kids were/are always active in our church and the youth group there. Its a good start. I hope our tongue-in-cheek jabs have not given you any regrets about children. You will LOVE it and be scared, exhausted, worried, unsure, and overjoyed all at the same time. You will never love another human being more. I am kind of jealous. It goes too fast...
Here is a question: From being around my nieces and nephews, it seems to me that girls are easier when they are younger, but more difficult as they age, as boys are a pain in the *** when they are younger, but get easier as they age. Does this seem like a fair assessment?
My kids are 10, 8, and 4. Like Fletch said, it goes too fast. I look at my ten year old daughter sometimes and just ask her, "how did you become such a perfect little nerd?" hahahaha...we just laugh at each other and hug. I drop off all my kids at school in the morning and pick up my 4 year old every day at noon. We hang out until I go to work. Our lunches together are truly a piece of work! I pull up a chair and she assists me on every meal, then we sit down and talk over lunch. I love that little girl. Hooker, from what I've read from you, you are going to offer a lot to the development of your kids man. Best of luck. Here they are on the first day of school.....love em!
I wouldn't say that. My boys have been up to this point "easy like Sunday morning". The oldest is 9 now and is starting to get emotional over stuff that he should just brush off. I blame that on his mom.:D The youngest is 7 and all he cares about is laughing and having a good time. I think it all depends on the child. They all have different temperments and it changes often over time.
I think it depends. My son was easy for his Mom but not so easy ( not difficult ) for me. My daughter is easy for me and not so easy ( not difficult ) for her mother. The teenage years are just difficult in that the things you have to worry about, like when they drive off alone for the first time, are much more "dangerous" than the stuff you worried about when they were little (are they wiping their butt good enough ). A huge part of how easy or hard raising a child is depends on the foundation established early on. Respect for themselves and others, manners, empathy, kindness, etc. if taught early on, by actions and words, will make child rearing a pleasant task.
As my 91 year old MIL reminds me, you will never quit worrying about them. But as a father of a 19 year old, Every level has been nothing but great.
Over the last week or so, I have been reading this post and I feel that I have to speak up. My wife and I have been married 11 1/2 years. We have two children, Olivia, 7, and Joseph, 4. My wife volunteered as a teacher in a Christian school that Preacher Tony used to be the Principle in. She has not received wages, other than a small stipend from said school for a short time (6 months), prior to having our kids. So technically, she has not worked since we have been married. I do not make a lot of money in my job. Prior to marrying my wife, I made pretty money and made some very good investments that are still delivering for us, but by no circumstances are we well off or even comfortable for that matter. However, we valued her staying home for our children more valuable than gold. THIS WAS OUR DECISION AND I AM NOT JUDGING OTHERS FOR THEIRS. We make sacrifices, period. I would love to have more guns, a new bow, 4 wheeler, etc. Hell, I would love to take her on vacation and give her the things she wants. But, when we talk about these things, she tells me she has everything she wants!!! It makes me feel like **** for her to desire to have a purse or jewelry and not have the money to budget that way, but she doesn't care! Honestly, she doesn't. It bothers me, but not her. I guess, if you marry the right person AND you are what she needs in a partner, things like this don't matter. We never fight about money. Life is so much more important than that. I gather from reading your posts that you are a planner, well educated and not a "hip shooter" when it comes to life's decisions. That is great. To ask the advise of people from all walks of life, all ages and experiences, is a very wise move and I respect that very much. When the rubber meets the road, and I am not trying to sound like a Hallmark card or forwarded email, the vacations and "things" will never be remembered by your family. The time and being there is what will ALWAYS be remembered and cherished. Money makes things easier to live (sometimes), but it will never bring happiness. Never. Being with your children and your wife being home for them every day will make a tremendous impact that you will never be able to measure until later in their life. I speak from experience from a mother that didn't drive and father that worked second shift his entire career. My mother always being there brought more security and love than any dollar or anything could ever do. Thank you for reading this. Even though I am confident that we have made the right choice, it is not always easy to live with that decision. I would be a liar if said I have not second guessed this stay at home decision. Typing this out has helped me realize that, for us, this is right. Sal
I remember the vacations... even from when I was quite small. So, with that part I will have to disagree.
I almost forgot, my wife keeps the house clean, we never run out of anything, dinner IS ready when I get home, etc. Really, I am not saying this to brag, just simply saying that this type of life is not just doom and gloom. For us it is wonderful. We could not ask for a better life. Sure, there are times when I have to take side jobs to pay things off and things get crappy, but it ALWAYS turns out to good. I learned a couple years into our marriage that if I take care of my wife's needs emotionally, mentally and physically :D, she has no problems and neither do I!!
