Will being a parent ever get easier?

i have nothing to say here... i have no kids, i want no kids.

from everything i've read, however, it seems like you are one of the finest fathers (and i assume your wife is as well... well, not a father, but a fine mother) i've come across. i'm sure it's not easy but i feel as though you've managed to handle the inclusion of discipline, respect, growth and responsibility in your kids' upbringing very well.

there are lots of parents who are TOO strict or TOO liberal or TOO any number of other things. i know your situation isn't PERFECT, but you've made what appears to be a fantastic impact on your kids and have given them a superb start in life.
 
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EJFan said:
i have nothing to say here... i have no kids, i want no kids.
Perhaps not, but you've made some very insightful comments on parenting-related threads in the past. :)
 
Eilan said:
Perhaps not, but you've made some very insightful comments on parenting-related threads in the past. :)
awww... thank you. :)

you know what they say: those who can, do and those who can't, teach.

actually, i think it's all the poker books i've read. :D ;)
 
Scaly, I know you didn't ask for advice on this and I'm not sure what your plan for the phone calls is, but I'll risk throwing in my thoughts anyway 'cause I'm nosy like that. :D

You mentioned it might make a difference if the girls were part of his peer group because of parental involvement. I'm wondering if making that, instead of the age gap, the focus of your contact with their parents might be the best approach.

I'm trying to put myself in their parents' shoes, and hearing you express concern over the age difference might give me the impression you felt your son isn't trustworthy/responsible or a good person for my daughter to hang out with, even platonically. I'd wonder why you were worried enough to focus on age if it was just platonic, and if your son had a history of moving in on much younger girls or promiscuity. After all, it generally takes a lot for a parent not to trust their kid [Yeah, I know that's not what you believe, but fear that might be the message received]. Also, if your call is interpreted as, 'Do you know what your kid's up to?' there's a risk of alienating the parents and causing problems for the kids.

However, hearing you introduce yourself, chit chat about our kids (age/grade will come up), convey that you're watching out for the best interest of all and want to keep in contact with me so we can ensure their safety, would make me feel comfortable and confident. I'd want my daughter to have friends with great parents like you who want to partner with me in keeping an eye on things, so I think making that your main message is going to be key in finding a balance between over- and under-supervising.
 
EJFan said:
i have nothing to say here... i have no kids, i want no kids.

from everything i've read, however, it seems like you are one of the finest fathers (and i assume your wife is as well... well, not a father, but a fine mother) i've come across. i'm sure it's not easy but i feel as though you've managed to handle the inclusion of discipline, respect, growth and responsibility in your kids' upbringing very well.

there are lots of parents who are TOO strict or TOO liberal or TOO any number of other things. i know your situation isn't PERFECT, but you've made what appears to be a fantastic impact on your kids and have given them a superb start in life.
I have no children nor do I desire them. I think you are doing a good job of sorting things out! When I see what younger and younger kids are getting into these days, it scares me! Lastly, I'm glad there are some parents like yourself who are trying to do their best to impart some wisdom to their kids!
 
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This is what I heard my dad say over 20 yrs ago: "If kids were as hard to have as they are to raise right, there would be a lot fewer of them around." Sometimes, I think I'll wish I had had kids when I'm older but then we live with our choices.
 
I have always had the rule that the girls don't go anywhere or kids don't come here until I met their parents. I have met some great people through my children.
 
Scalywag said:
we've basicly had the same philosophy, but with my son read to turn 18 later this summer, we've been in transition on that for a while. Apparently the other parents:
1. don't have that philosophy or
2. don't know what their kids are doing

It amazes me how many parents are completely oblivious to what their children are up to. I don't know if it's a trust issue with them; that they feel they've raised their children the right way and don't have to worry about them, or if it's that they just don't care.
 
Scalywag said:
maybe I'll only allow him to use the minivan if he wants to go with them....it wouldn't be as cool. :rolleyes:
My sick mind says that'd be a bad idea... :p

I'm sure he'll take your advice and be responsible about this, Scaly. All he's likely thinking about is meeting all of those hot college girls in a couple of weeks. :)
 
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