Posted on 10/18/2006 12:22:59 PM PDT by Da_Shrimp
Chasing after an 8 year old boy gets a 49 year old pretty tired, pretty quick, but you will find as I have its the most wonderful thing in the world.
Congratulations
ARRRGH...sleep not sleer...and I even previewed!!!
This is exactly why geezers like you shouldn't be permitted to have sex.
It doesn't matter how old you are, there is no joy like walking in the door and hearing a little voice yell daddy and run into your arms.
Congratulations.
Sadly my father died a few years ago but my mum lives a few miles away and is still very active at age 74.
My mother-in-law is coming over from Poland for the birth and to help out later for a while, so that'll be great.
Congrats.
My wife gave birth to our second daughter last year. I was 45.
Of all the blessings of my life--and there have been many--this incredible little critter is number 1. She has captivated my heart. I am bonkers about her and adore everything she does.
When my first daughter was born 15 years earlier, I was by no means a youngster (I was 31), but I had just graduated college and had been married for only 11 months. I thoroughly enjoyed her (and still do), but there is something special about having another one now in my advanced (cough cough) age.
I became a dad around 35. Kids are just becoming teens today.
In a way I regret not having them younger. My body is betraying me and it is hard to keep up w/ them in some of their activities.
LOL I know, sorry ;-)
I was 26 and 29 when my first two children were born, and nearly 44 when the "second generation" child came into the world, so I approached this late-comer with some previous experience. But I don't know that I was any more set in my ways at 44 than I was at 26, and I don't know that I had any less energy. Fatherhood requires work, and it will change your life, but it is worth it.
I gagged the first time I changed a diaper. Thousands of diapers later, I was prepared for all manner of other horrific childhood emissions and, you know what -- I took care of them without flinching. Parental instinct kicks in somewhere along the way, and you just know what to do.
I've found that being a father again at a later age truly keeps me young. I am fortunate to remember what it was like to be a child, so that helps me to relate. And I've found that there are some universal experiences and episodes of childhood -- things that happen, questions that are asked. And I keep getting the great priviledge of playing again and experiencing the world anew through my children's eyes.
Of all the things that have happened in my life, being a father is the best, hands down.
Congratulations and enjoy!
Congratulations!!!
I can't offer any advice because of personal experience..but, I just hope that your stop being afraid.
Just have fun....enjoy every minute with your baby...because it isn't a cliche that they grow up before you know it...it is TRUE!
I believe men in their 30's and 40's on the whole are better fathers than younger men. They may have slightly less energy, but they have more patience, wisdom, tolerance and perspective, and when you are changing a diaper at 3:00 in the morning, patience is more important than energy.
As to hints, if you are musical, singing a child to sleep is not a bad idea. I remember with great fondness walking slowly around our baby's room in the wee hours singing to a restive child on my shoulder. To this day my daughters, who are now in their mid to late teens sometimes ask me to sing for them at night. Also, it may trite, but it is also true that the greatest gift you can give your child is your time, generally as much as possible. Finally, challenge your child. Don't be overly protective. Have confidence in his or her skills, even when there is little basis for that confidence.
Congratulations. You are about to enter the best years of your life. Sometimes I find myself regreting that those times are pretty much past for me.
There is no duty more compelling than being a father. There is no title more honorable than "Dad."
Thanks again to everyone for all the advice and congratulations, I wish I could reply individually to eveyone, but I'm reading every word, I assure you!
I am in my mid 40's, and I have two young sons. I do, somewhat, regret not having kids earlier, but mostly because I feel that I would have had more energy to play with them and tolerate the things they do. On the other hand, I have more Wisdom, presumably. Something this experience has taught me, I did not know LOVE, true love, before. I mean, at this time in my life, I almost chuckle about how I felt so strongly about romantic love when I was younger, when THIS kind of love makes that now seem almost trivial.
For every plus there is a minus. The plus here is your maturity, mentally and emotionally.
The minus here is your maturity, physically. Stay in shape!
You'll know you're doing a good job if you get tired beyond what you've ever thought possible, in ways you've never even thought of.
Beyond that, enjoy! Best thing that will ever happen to you. Congratulations.
To this day my daughters, who are now in their mid to late teens sometimes ask me to sing for them at night.
(Clears lump in throat)
The best advice I can give you is to make sure you love your baby's mother.
Mothering is exhausting.... you need to see your wife as having a cup of love that she constantly pours out to the baby. Your job is to refill that cup with more love, so she will be refilled. This is particularly true in the first three months.
The more you can do for her, to make her feel loved, the more love she will have for your child. This investment will pay dividends to the end.
You will love it since you will have more time for him/her. Money is more plentiful.
Pray for W and Our Troops
What a fantastic thing to say. Thank you so much for that!
I was 35 when we had our son last year. He's now 16 months old. It has been a blast. I think it is a good thing to be a little older and wiser.
My advice: read to him/her. read to him/her. read to him/her. talk to him/her. talk to him/her. talk to him/her. (all from day 1)
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