Posted: 1/7/2009 1:54:14 AM EDT
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My 19 month old son couldn't sleep, and my wife is 3 months pregnant and crashes around 9 every night. So to help her get a good nights rest my son and I ran to the park across the street and played around for about an hour in an attempt to get the wiggles out. (The attempt failed, by the way)
While we were cruising around, I thought about all the people who say they don't want to raise a child, and I really felt bad for them. I'm not saying they should be parents, because I believe if someone sincerely doesn't want to be a parent then that sort of makes them unfit to be one; (looking at you Napolean Tannerite). But I sincerely feel like raising a child is much more rewarding than it is challenging. I kind of accidentally happened into this whole fatherhood gig my first time around. But I'm glad we did. So much so we're going for round number two pretty soon here. It's true, my ACR fund was redirected to the "going into labor at the hospital" fund when we found out baby number 2 was on it's way. It's true, I have to give up some "Steve-oh time" to watching my boy. It's true, and I am embarassed to admit, that I know the entire theme song for the wonderpets, and my digital cable logs more "Noggin" than it does "military channel". But honestly I'm happy to sacrifice those things when I see him share a toy with another kid on the playground, or try and steal a kiss from the neighborhood girl he likes, or when I hear him call out "Ma ma? Da da?" when he wakes up in his bed. Seriously. I love being a dad. Most rewarding thing I've ever done. Kids are awesome. I have no clue why he never runs out of energy. I wish I could tap into it. After the camera ran out of batteries, he lifted a Volkswagon Jetta to see what was underneath. |
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Ben: "They seem to love bubbles."
Pete: "Oh, god, they go ape shit over bubbles." Ben: "They're really going ape shit." Pete: "I mean, that's an incredible thing about a child. I mean, what's so great about bubbles?" Ben: "They float. You can pop them. I mean, I get it. I get it." Pete: "I wish I liked anything as much as my kids like bubbles." |
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Quoted:
It's true, and I am embarassed to admit, that I know the entire theme song for the wonderpets, and my digital cable logs more "Noggin" than it does "military channel". Seriously. I love being a dad. Most rewarding thing I've ever done. Kids are awesome. 
I am going thru the same thing with my 4 year old daughter! |
Good job, Dad. What a cutie!
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Quoted:
My wife and I have been discussing having children in the next two years. I am good with kids (for some reason always have been) but I am scared shitless. I certainly hope that this is normal. I cant wait and at the same time I definitly can. Weird???? Means you'll be a good father. You wouldn't be scared if you weren't concerned about the outcome. 
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People should not be parents if they cannot put another human being (or beings) first for the rest of their lives (or at least until college graduation) .
That's what it boils down to. And I support folks deciding it isn't for them and not having any or giving the kid up or sharing custody because they can't handle the demands 24/7. It ISN'T for everyone. Unfortunately, some find out too late. |
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Thanks for the nice words guys. And those of you quoting wonderpets are cracking me up!
Quoted:
People should not be parents if they cannot put another human being (or beings) first for the rest of their lives (or at least until college graduation) .
That's what it boils down to. And I support folks deciding it isn't for them and not having any or giving the kid up or sharing custody because they can't handle the demands 24/7. It ISN'T for everyone. Unfortunately, some find out too late. I think the same could be said for marriage. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the nice words guys. And those of you quoting wonderpets are cracking me up! Quoted:
People should not be parents if they cannot put another human being (or beings) first for the rest of their lives (or at least until college graduation) .
That's what it boils down to. And I support folks deciding it isn't for them and not having any or giving the kid up or sharing custody because they can't handle the demands 24/7. It ISN'T for everyone. Unfortunately, some find out too late. I think the same could be said for marriage. Agreed |
| Fatherhood is without a doubt the most wonderful experience I have ever had, and ever expect to have. Enjoy this time with you son - it will be very special. Mine are 20 (in a few days) and 16, and are still absolute joys to be around. If you put the time and effort into being "dad", they'll never forget it. |
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ahhh I remember the wonderpets.
My kids are 9 and 7 now and we are onto bigger and better things. My 9 yo daughter is into Hanna Montanna and Drake and Josh. While my 7yo son does like Drake and Josh he will sit and watch ESPN, any game, hunting and shooting, history channel or any other manly thing I put on and he loves it. Thats my boy, Natron |
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My wife can not have kids anymore (she had one daughter from her first marriage- the first husband had a massive coronary at 44 and died). Before we married I flatly stated I wanted a child. So we saved for a few years (no AR/AK/HK- put in your favorite gun here- for me for those years) and adopted a baby boy from the Dominican.
16+ years later I simply cannot imagine life without my currently annoying, sometimes frustrating, but oh so great kid to have around. RIght now I am chewing my fingers with worry as he has his first real g/f and starts driving but its all part of the ride. We have fun- we shoot, go to gaming conventions, and even play WOW together. My life would be greatly diminished without him. So here's to parenthood! WOOT! |
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its not all roses and parades.
but every day there seems to be something that makes it all worth while. Last night it was my 4 year old coming into the living room with a sad face telling me how much he wants to go see the monster trucks at the stadium. 
I use to be very antisocial, could be gone weeks at a time with work, hunting, fishing what ever. Now I dont even like getting home past 5pm when they get home from the sitters
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Quoted:
My 19 month old son couldn't sleep, and my wife is 3 months pregnant and crashes around 9 every night. So to help her get a good nights rest my son and I ran to the park across the street and played around for about an hour in an attempt to get the wiggles out. (The attempt failed, by the way) While we were cruising around, I thought about all the people who say they don't want to raise a child, and I really felt bad for them. I'm not saying they should be parents, because I believe if someone sincerely doesn't want to be a parent then that sort of makes them unfit to be one; (looking at you Napolean Tannerite). But I sincerely feel like raising a child is much more rewarding than it is challenging. I kind of accidentally happened into this whole fatherhood gig my first time around. But I'm glad we did. So much so we're going for round number two pretty soon here. It's true, my ACR fund was redirected to the "going into labor at the hospital" fund when we found out baby number 2 was on it's way. It's true, I have to give up some "Steve-oh time" to watching my boy. It's true, and I am embarassed to admit, that I know the entire theme song for the wonderpets, and my digital cable logs more "Noggin" than it does "military channel". But honestly I'm happy to sacrifice those things when I see him share a toy with another kid on the playground, or try and steal a kiss from the neighborhood girl he likes, or when I hear him call out "Ma ma? Da da?" when he wakes up in his bed. Seriously. I love being a dad. Most rewarding thing I've ever done. Kids are awesome. I have no clue why he never runs out of energy. I wish I could tap into it. After the camera ran out of batteries, he lifted a Volkswagon Jetta to see what was underneath. Thats a cute kid! So when are you going to take him out shooting?
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My boys are 7 (twins, fraternal not identical).
They love to go shooting with me, they have their own 10/22 that they shoot. Recently they camped out in the back yard for the first time. Translation: One boy comes in at midnight and it's daddy's job to go sleep on the ground with his other son. So after we 'woke up' I went inside and took a nap. 
Having boys is a lot of fun and it can be hard at times. The thing is as I look back on it all now I only seem to remember how much fun it was.
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Yeah we were blessed with a beautiful healthy girl 6 months ago. What a joy it is to be a parent, now anyways, because I am already dreading the dating/teenage years.
Things that used to matter to me don't mean so much anymore. And it's amazing to see her smile, it makes my day evertime she does. She's a great baby too. Never cries and doesn't throw fits yet. Seriously, we are so blessed to have her. Her mother is a great woman and never really did anything bad growing up. So here's to hoping she turns out like her mother! |
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Quoted: Stay scared. Don't be so scared it keeps you from having a good time, though. Oh, and the more you love them the more they'll love you back. Love gets you a lot further than tough when it comes to dealing with kids.My wife and I have been discussing having children in the next two years. I am good with kids (for some reason always have been) but I am scared shitless. I certainly hope that this is normal. I cant wait and at the same time I definitly can. Weird???? My kids are the the third greatest thing that have ever happened to me. God is number one, my wife is number two, the kids get all the rest. Who knew giving till it hurts could be fun? |
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Quoted:
People should not be parents if they cannot put another human being (or beings) first for the rest of their lives (or at least until college graduation) .
That's what it boils down to. And I support folks deciding it isn't for them and not having any or giving the kid up or sharing custody because they can't handle the demands 24/7. It ISN'T for everyone. Unfortunately, some find out too late. I fully agree with you as I realized that children are NOT for me. I would be a terrible parent and it would be very bad for me to have children. Sadly, those who should not have children are the ones who pop them out in large amounts. I would rather have less children with better parents so that the ones that are here are better people overall. |