OK, this is not a 'go with the crowd opinion'. Having raised two sons and a daughter, and now having seven grandyoung'uns, It is MY OPINION that children are a young man's game. They cry, (what's wrong) and you get up. They cry (what's wrong) and you get up. They DON'T cry (OMG WHAT'S WRONG) and you get up. Fever's, skinned knees, Daddy-I-Like -Sweet-Tea!(bing-bing-bing-bingbing-off the walls toddler). And when they smile, the world is, for that moment, At Peace. First day of school. Months buying everything your babgirl needs. You'll be so worried you can't eat. Wife will pretend not to cry. Baby Girl meets Tree-hugging Marxist Teacher who tells her to "take all of your school supplies and place them in the 'Community Box' for those less fortunate than you." Fights, letters from school, and Little League (which costs more then ever). And you're still getting up in the middle of the night to do bed-checks. And when they laugh, you're heart is lifted to the Heavens ! THEN, somewhere around age 12, thier brain turns on. Life as you've known it ends. They smile, and you wonder 'what are they up to?'. Thier clothes change. Thier friends change. The back-talking grows angry. They laugh out loud and you wonder 'What's wrong?!'. Secrets and deciet. Instead of them coming to you, you find yourself going to them to find out what's going on in thier lives. First Love. First Heartbreak. School Suspension. Police bring them home. "Dad, can I have the keys to the car?". And you're still doing bedchecks, only to make sure they haven't snuck out in the middle of the night. Senior Prom (I didn't spend that much on MY dates!). Graduation (I didn't spend that much on My Wife's Diamond!). Of they GO! to take on the Big World. They come home, in debt and disspirited. They fall in love, this time for real. The Backtalking is replaced by an empty seat at the table. They leave, for good. They marry ( the Dress costs WHAT?!?). They have kids and families of thier own. The visits, then the phone calls fade. Christmas mornings are now "What time will they be here?". You brag to friends and co-workers who your kids have become. And when they do come home, they say "I don't know how you did it, Mom." and "I love you Mom!" But Dad knows, and that's all that matters.
Your Children are God-Given Blessings that will cause you Pride and Pain in ways a single man connot phathom. They will become your Legacy in this world, so love them, guide them and nurture them at all times. But you better be ready for it Old Man.
Having Children is a Young Man's game.
