Been there, done that. My boys are 14, 19 and 37. It's a trip.
DonM

Thankyou Chico!
Yes, Denny, I consider myself very lucky!!
I agree, Don, and I think I'm a better father now at 40 than at 21. Experience counts for a lot, in whatever you do I believe.
It's been nice sharing this with you guys. You learnt of this prior to a lot of familymembers!

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Roy-Andrè

My oldest(of 4) is 17 years older than the youngest. He's actually her Godfather! The age difference was so great, we thought it would be a nice touch to give them a "special" relationship, since he's more of an uncle figure than a brother. He's lived on his own most of her life.
That "second wave" of childrearing can be a trip. With age comes wisdom (most times) but there's no substitute for the raw, endless energy of a young Dad. At 48, having a 10 year old is not as easy as it was when I had a 10 yr old at 31 !

Amen Brother Dave. Try having a 14-year-old at age 60! But what a great kid he is.
Don

CONGRATULATIONS!!! to Roy-Andre` and family ... I wish you the very best.....
Many years ago (37 to be exact ) when my wife went into labor with our first child, I was playing a wedding ... got the call that she was going, finished the gig and raced to the hospital ... 'Son' didn't appear until 36 hours later (poor wife!!!) ...

To all you 'older' dads, I say God Bless You ... at 62, with 4 grandchildren (ages 5 to 3) I'm not sure I could handle a youngster in the house...
t.


[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 08-25-2003).]

Thankyou Tony!
UD and Don, I agree that there is obiously a problem being too old as well. But personally, I find myself equipped with a lot more patience than 20 years ago. Some of my principles of upbringing has been thrown away as well. I do regular physical exercise and feel that I still can keep up with younger people, and I do think that in some cases kids keep you young. ( In some cases they give you gray hair, so it depends how lucky you are!) But when all this is said, I probably wouldn't have done it unless I had such a terrific wife!

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Roy-Andrè

Congratulations Roy-Andrè.

Best wishes to your family.

Armando

Roy-Andrè,

Congratulations on the birth of your son Thomas. I'm confident that you raising a son as an older dad will be a great success. My Dad was in his 40's when I was born, and though I missed having a younger more rough housing type dad when I was younger, the age old wisdom he passed on to me, more than made up for the other.

Scott

Scott, Armando, thankyou so very much!
Yes, being old or young, each has it's pro's and con's. But I think we all can agree that being a parent is one of hardest jobs there is. A small challenge everyday. But the reward is fabulous!

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Roy-Andrè

Each of mine waited patiently till "Daddy finished work" . I never missed a contraction, and I'd be an OB/GNY in a sec...if I didn't have to go back to school. I just love the whole deal....cutting the cord, asperating them....it's a trip. Fathers in the 50's and earlier missed out on a WHOLE lot. My Dad was waiting at the town pub for each of us, and Mom was knocked out after she did all the hardest work. Things are so much better today. Best of luck !