[leadpencil1]

Our first will be leaving this fall. Gulp!

[Esther Ruth]

Never read anything on my MSN homepage but this did catch my eye. Liked:

2. I Would Have Tried To Spin Things Less

I could always tell when my parents were spinning things for one reason or another and is could be frightening or even scarier then hearing the truth. As hard as the real answers are sometimes to give children, I think deep down they sense BS from the truth and they feel much more safe and secure knowing we have given them the truth and they can really and always depend on us to give them the truth.

[2banana]

I once heard a guy trying to coax his son off the roof of a Honda Odyssey, explaining why it wasn't safe to ride up there. "If Daddy had to stop short, you could fall off and get hurt, Brandon, and that would make Mommy and me sad."

In a previous generation the Dad would have said "Son, you better come down off that roof because you might get hurt - and I am not talking about falling off the car (as Dad rolls up his sleeves)"

[cubreporter]

What a beautiful article.

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there in Freeper Land. :)

[T Wayne]

Thanks for posting this!!!!

[BibChr]

Actually, some good stuff there. Cause for pause. Cause for wincing.

0c8

Dan

[SPRINK]

I have one left in the house (17). Having kids has been the greatest joy of my life. I was once told that the greatest compliment a person could give is to state that you would do it again if you could... I wish I could turn back the clock and do it again.(sniffle)

[jocon307]

"10. I Would Have Been Alone With Each of My Kids More Often"

I'm a mom, and I have only one kid, but I grew up with two brothers. My parents always made this a priority, and I certainly recommend it. The times I spent alone with each of them are amoung my best memories of growing up. It really satisfies a kid's craving for undivided parental attention.

In fact, as it's father's day, I must esp. remember the many breakfast hours I spent with my dad, when we were the only two awake. I can say he taught me an awful lot about life during those casual conversations.

[MosesKnows]

I Would Have

You are a very fortunate man because you will have the opportunity to do what you would have done. You will find grandchildren so delightful you will wonder why you didn't have them first.

[Quix]

Thanks much.

Great doc.

Good for files and distribution to list and to students.

[familyofman]

"...we dropped our daughter off at college. Like her brother before her, she went and grew up on us"

Yes the kids grow up and leave the nest - just like they're supposed to. Don't fret about it (our oldest son lives in L.A. and the younger one is in Brooklyn), if you did your job well they will know it and remember it, then they will hopefully pass on to their children the lessons you taught them.
I always felt the important things were; love; honesty, respect, caring, and sharing. The memories are great of them as children - I like the adult stage too - I just wish they lived closer.