No kids & no regrets. I've been indifferent my whole life. If I'd met a girl that wanted them I'd probably have one or 2. But my ex didn't & I was fine with that. Now my current girlfriend is 39 and although she'd thought she'd have had kids by now, she doesn't want to start at this age.
When this one was 6 hours old, she wrapped her hand around my finger and in turn permanently took hold of my heart. The first time she smiled, the grip on my heart tightened. The first time she said "Papa!", I knew I was destined to spend the rest of my life spoiling her. Now that the grandson is almost here, I know I have to spend twice the effort for the rest of my life. If I get lucky, maybe I will be doomed to having to quadruple my effort.
Great looking kids guys! I honestly never wanted any but my wife had to have at least 1. Now she roped me in for a 2nd. Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
That means a lot man. I have made my fair share of mistakes but have worked my butt off to be in the situation I am now. Want to finally relax and enjoy the benefits of my hard work for a few years being selfish before looking for steady relationships/family life/etc. ie I want to spend every available free moment hunting, fishing, kayaking, hiking, camping, traveling, etc. LOL
Kids are a blast when they aren't crying, pooping or throwing temper tantrums. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sometimes kids can cause you to get a few gray hairs and even lose a few. I tried talking him out of a crotch rocket...... didn't work.
Took my oldest to college two years ago and cried like a baby. He's 8 hours away and I still miss seeing him. My youngest is looking at colleges now and graduates in May. I will be 46 and an empty nester. Too soon. I'm not really ready for that yet, but too bad I guess. It just stinks that they grow up so darn fast and its often while we are having to work our butts off to provide for them. I guess that's why grandchildren get so spoiled. Some day (several years from now!) I hope to get that joy. Kids are a blessing for sure.
I wasn't sure I wanted one when in my twenties and early 30's. I was career oriented and selfish with my free time. I was happy. I didn't feel like I was missing out. My wife wasn't sure either, so there was no tension between us regarding the issue. But when my wife was approaching 35, she said it was now or never. We decided to do it and it was the nest decision of my life. Imhave one son who is about to turn 21 and Imcouldnt be more proud of him. I have enjoyed each phase of his life.
Here are my 2 kids. Love them to death and wouldn't change it for the world. I'm turning 31 this year, daughter is 11... Going on 21. Guarding his sister while she sleeps Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Heres my little guy at our Superbowl party. Best decision ever, but definitely more work than I imagined. Its all worth it when they laugh the. The laughs are the best.
Well MGH_PA I have two boys one is 12 and will be 13 in April and one will be 6 this month. I work overseas and I have missed a lot of time with my boys and with my amazing wife. What I have read in some of the post is how they love the freedom of being married and no kids, some love the freedom of being single and some love the joy of having kids. Here is what I will tell you and this is from my humble mind. I have been to every firearms instructor course known to man and one of the best ones, instructor wise, not useful wise was an NRA course I went to. The instructor made us ask the guy we were sitting beside 5 questions. Then you had to turn those 5 answers into a 5 minute introduction about your new friend. One of the questions was what is the best thing that has ever happened to you? There were 12 men in that class and 2 instructors. Every man said the birth of his children was the greatest thing that ever happened to him. What I will say is this, now that my children are older and growing. The greatest thing is watching my boys live. Its so amazing to see them grow and learn and form themselves. Being single and childless is awesome and its care free. Being married and childless is also very fun and free. My wife and I had only three months of that. Number one was a surprise blessing for us. All of that is fun and care free and easy. Being a dad is a responsibility and an honor and the greatest PLEASURE you can or will ever experience as a MAN. My oldest is ate up with hunting, that's all he wants to do and its awesome because it just hit him this year, I mean really hit him. He is also an awesome football player!! 1,853yds rushing and 32 touchdowns this past season. That was in 11 games, not to bad. He is crazy fast, not sure where he got that from but he has it, thank the Lord. The little one is just like his brother, cant get enough hunting or football. Watching this growth and development is what I love most in this world, no question about it period. I didn't get married until I was 26 about to turn 27 so I had my freedom and fun. But this, this has no equal, no doubt about it. I will end with this, there is never the "right time" if you wait on that you will never do it. My wife and our boys go all over the world literally so you will not lose your freedom. Will you miss some days in the stand, yeah you will if you're a good dad you will at least. But when the touchdowns start coming or the pom-poms start flying, if you have a girl, none of that matters. Why, because nothing makes you feel that feeling of joy you get when one of your own flesh and blood is so happy they cant even talk and that will happen, I promise you it will if you have kids. Also if you think you get nervous when a big buck walks in. Wait until its that 8yr old boy or girl about to shoot all by their self and you are right beside them. Oh my goodness I have never been so nervous or excited, I was shaking like a mad man..lol. That's what being a dad is. Don't worry about the freedom and fun because you've never had fun like you will have nor have ever experienced the freedom of letting your heart open up to something so awesome. Take care my friend and I hope you take the honor and privilege that God gives us as men and become a DAD.
Great replies, everyone. Wow. A lot to take in, but unless everyone is REALLY good at convincing people you're happy, you have put my mind at ease a bit. All of your kids are lucky to have you all as parents from the sounds of it. Sent from Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
It gets better. They get out of diapers, eventually fix their own breakfasts and grow up...All in the blink of an eye. Enjoy it, all of it, even when you don't.
Wish I could have 100... being a dad is the one of three great joys in my life. Is that what God meant about two becoming one flesh?
