An older dad...

[Apple Blossom]

Ping your thoughts...

[AppyPappy]

Your days of blissful sleep have ended.

[Pondman88]

Congrats!!

I had them young (19) and older (32)

When I was young I thought kids wouldn't change my life....and now that I am older I realize they changed everything in my life.

[Obadiah]

Well, I'm 48 and we had our third child when I was almost 43 (our oldest is 9). My advise to you? Make sure your child is breast fed for the first two years, that way you won't have to be the one to get up at 3 a.m. to fed 'em!

It's a great, great joy that I would not change for all the money in the world. You are blessed.

[llevrok]

at 35, we had our one - and only (sadly).

A child is the greatest gift you and your spouse will ever give yourselves.

In return, give the child your time, time and more time (my advice) Even if it is a trip to the market for a liter of milk..

And most of all - Have fun!!!!

[angcat]

Fill up on the Zanex!

LOL Just kidding. I had #2 at 39 and she is killing us. It is harder as you get older. But you won't know because this is your first.

God Bless!

[Da_Shrimp]

Blimey, what a response! Thank you very much for all this.

So let's see, I won't get much sleep and should get in shape... makes list.

I already considered the fact that I'll be 60 when the kid hits 16... yikes! Fortunately the missus is 8 years younger!

[silverleaf]

You are a spring chicken my friend.

But still you may be able to creep toward blissful senility before your kid starts driving.

Congratulations!

[Hebrews 11:6]

Congrats! Any idea what might have caused it?

[Da_Shrimp]

Advanced age ?

I did say 'relatively advanced' to be fair. ;-)

[AmericanDave]

Congratulations! I had my only child at 44, the wife having trouble carrying to term till we found the right specialist. Your child will be the light of your life! It's like being a grandparent and parent at the same time; you will probably spoil them a little more than you would have as a younger dad.

You won't be as active, but you have so much more wisdom to teach them that you have learned by your extra 20 years of life experience.

It's the best thing ever!

[Da_Shrimp]

Congrats! Any idea what might have caused it?

Apparently it was something I did in April...

[mpackard]

I can tell you this. I was born when dad was 24. When he was 42 he had his last child. He was so in love with that kid. He always said that it was the best time in life to have a child. You're generally settled at that age financially and emotionally. You have MUCH more patience. He just LOVED it. I think it is GREAT that you're doing it now.Congrats!

[ZGuy]

I became a Dad for the first time when I was 45. I may not have quite the same energy I had when I was 20, but the wisdom I have gained over the years more than compensates for that. Also, I am in a better financial situation now, etc. -- another plus for being an older Dad.

Advice? Take advantage of the understanding you now have that life goes by quickly, and make a concerted effort to spend as much time with your children as possible, soaking up every minute you can, and using that time to help them develop into outstanding adults. And remember, don't think of them as "kids." Always think of them as future leaders and statesmen in training . . . with your help.

[glorgau]

46 and I've never changed a diaper. ;-)

Did feed my 18 month old nephew a bunch of blueberries and drop him back at my sister's though...

[Apple Blossom]

You're about to learn that 4 hours IS a good nights' sleep!

[taxcontrol]

Having kids at your age makes the whole "funding kids' college" very tough because it is right at the time when you normally are paying off any debts so you can retire. My recommendation.... if you can afford it. Set aside 10 to 15 grand now in a college fund for the kid. Given average returns, the fund should be worth about 3 times the amount when you kid graduates HS. If you start with $15,000, your kid could have closed to $60,000 if they hold off college for 2 years.

If you can plan on them serving 2 years in the military, they will get two benefits. 1st, the military tuition assistance / GI bill etc to fund college and 2nd, they will be old enough to be considered emancipated financially and thus, your income will not count against their earnings. I'm told that if you fund their education as a tuition reimbursement that it can help with the financial rules for their college.

...and congrats!

As always, see a planner / lawyer and get your own advice.

[tutstar]

ping...

[dha]

My father was 50 when he had me and will soon be 90. :) He was healthier and more active in my life than most parents half his age. I have always felt blessed to have had older parents, and it always seemed that the benefits far outweighed any negatives. Congratulations!!!

[BoringGuy]

Earlier this year, at the tender age of 43, I became the proud father of a baby boy. Then, just to make life more interesting, my wife and I adopted 2 a year old boy.

Everyone is right...say goodbye to uninterrupted sleer :-D. But when your child looks you in the eye, you will experience something that makes it all worthwhile!

I feel that what I have learned in my "advanced" (grin) age has made me a better parent than I would have been when I was younger. You will do just fine.

Advice...get used to the fact that your baby will christen your clothing with regularity. Remember to make sure your wife knows how special she is too.

P.S. You CAN handle the dirty diapers (nappies) ;-)