Being a parent...How hard can it be?

Just about 13 years ago I had my first child (that I know of).
When she (we) first got pregnant, my thought was ("how hard can it be....")
We have raised cats, dogs, reptiles, etc... and many other rescues of wild animals.
How hard can raising 1 child be....
You ask me 13 years later and I am willing to surrender
Parenting is way tougher than anyone thinks it is.!
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Tough but rewarding. Mine is 12 now and I longingly remember the old days when he was cute and little. Now he’s surly and bitchy. Oh well, always grand kids to look forward too

 

I don’t have any…. Yet.


I’m scared

 

I understand summer camp and weekends and grandparents house now.

 

You should be.

Mine seems to think he is the prince of bel aire

 

Getting married next month. I’ll be in my mid 50’s but the time they graduate

 

Lol, and EXPENSIVE! The last statistic I remember was that it costs the average American $250,000 to raise a child from birth to the age of 18...Thats NOT including the racket that is university. I agree, Absolutely worth it, but I tend to inform younger folks of this. "Think of all the jet skis!!!!"

 

Mine are both in their 30s. You think it will get better but you trade one problem for another. Then you worry about your grandkids. With that said the joy they bring is so much more than the sadness. You’ll learn that a “hey dad” = at least $100.

 

That is the best thing ever - just don’t force them in the back seat… even if it is a double cab.

 

I was driving back from San Diego, my son began to have an allergy attack and really couldn't communicate. The screaming and whining made me pull over on the 5 freeway in a construction site. My brother (his uncle was along for the ride). It was one of the worst experiences being trapped in bumper to bumper traffic and being in the "fast lane".
Nothing is fast on the freeway in southern California.

 

We have 2 daughters...31 soon to be 32 in May...and youngest 27 and won't be 28 until the day after Christmas.

I can honestly say, if I had a son, the competition between us males probably would have changed the father I am today.

Both daughters are married and our SILs are fantastic guys.

My wife was stay-at-home mom while I was the breadwinner in the USAF. I think our daughters benefited from their time with mom.

There's no instructions but just remember what your mother taught you and you should be ok.

Ed

****

 

Just remember back to what a little asshole you were. Kids go from thinking parents know everything to parents being total dumbasses in about a year. This is a scientifically proven fact.

 

I'm pretty sure I've spent that much on diapers in the last 2 years alone

 

This... I am the bread winner vs she does the billing of our business , plus stay at home mom.

Sometimes I hate going to work, but then think of having to stay at home and teach the youngin'.
Literally scares the crap out of me, I'd rather go to work

 

You are not kidding

Could of had a king suspension or a reliable 2nd gen

 

So, I can honestly say that each gender has its own set of challenges. after having raised 2 boys, then a girl, I feel like the boys were waayyy easier. Boys generally don't want anything except time. The girl, however, not the same. just starting to hit the dark times with the daughter (11yrs) and I can tell, this is going to stress me. I love her to death and a daughters' love is totally different, IMO. Not better, not worse, Just different. LMAO

 

You are not wrong, boys are different than girls.
Good luck,

 

My daughters are modest because of their mother. I tell my wife "thank you" all the time.

For further insight...I married a Brit...or should I say, a Scottish lass who's family relocated from Coatbridge, Scotland to a small town near Cambridge, England when her dad lost his job up north. My wife was like 2 years old and the youngest of 8 children.

My wife did not trust anyone but herself to take care of our children. I did my duty and she did hers.

We are blessed and I owe my wife so much for all the love and devotion to our daughters.

Ed

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I'm the summarized words of Louis CK, little boys fuck shit up but little girls fuck you up

https://youtu.be/lDEanZ9CWm4

"Boys do damage to your house that you can measure in dollars, like a hurricane. Girls leave scars on your psyche that you don't find until later'

 

My and my wife are planning on having our first hopefully this year or early next year. She wants two. I told her no more than 1 dog though...we're currently at 3 dogs. Wish me luck lol.