Originally Posted by GloryDayz
Be ready for the most wonderful years of your life. There are many rewarding things in life, I've been blessed with a great life, but our kids have been the cornerstone of that great life.
Advice. Get involved... Resist any temptation to put work above your kids. You can't not work, but you can make sure you do everything in your power to be with them, listen to them, let them find out who THEY are, and support it (within reason). At the same time, set boundaries and expectations. In our house (two sons), they have to 1) Become an Eagle Scout (shows persistence and perseverance for a kid), 2) play a musical instrument (studies show it helps the brain in so many ways, and gives them an appreciation of the arts), and 3) they have to play a sport (because too many kids today are fat and don't get what sports really teach). Next, coach... I coach(ed) football, baseball, wrestling, and hockey, it is/was quality time with my sons, and they got to experience physical challenges that come along with sports and physical competition. Like last night, we rushed from Hockey Practice to marching band practice. It was a good night.
Open doors for them. While both my sons dive because they saw me dive, I never pushed them into it, but when they showed interest I jumped at the chance to let them take it as far as they want. My younger son wants to fly so we're working that now too (where there's a will there's a way). It's just a matter of opening doors for them to try things. Oh, and if they find they don't like it, let it go.
So make sure you don't squander these next two decades with that wonderful son or daughter, embrace it, enjoy it, and while you don't need to live vicariously through your kids, you sure as heck can be involved.
Above all, love that/those kid(s) without reservation. They are you, you are them, they will always be yours. Make sure they know, no matter what, that you'll always love them.
Hope that helps...
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