Let me tell you something, everyone.

For those of you who have little kids in your life, I suggest that you keep an eye on them. In fact, you'll soon wish that they were little brats again.

Why do I say this? it's simple. Once they reach middle school, you'll start losing a little bit of control over them because they will soon (in a few days after they get to middle school) be adopting some so-called traits from other students (like cursing, bad attitude, skipping classes. hehe).

You think that's worse? Wait till they get to high school. Soon, you'll be watching your kid like a hawk.

Let me warn you. Once those kids turn 18, all hell will break loose.

Symptoms:

Age 13: This is age where kids now become teenager. As a result, those teenagers will start feeling the urge to curse and start having a negative attitude towards teachers. However, I had an ecounter with a bad teacher who talk like a dictator when I was in elementary.

Age 16: WATCH OUT!!!!! This is a common age when teens start to have the urge to get a driver liscence. First, they will want to take DriversEd in school and then they will get their restricted. Then you would see them rush to the nearest DMV (driver motor vehicle) to get their operators liscence.

Age 17: This is where the teen will start to get a job (possibly earlier) at publix. LOL They will do this not only for money, but also to pay for the expensive insurrance whenever that teen starts to wanna drive your Ferrari. and using it to get around and dragg race. LOL

Age 18: OMG!!!!!!!!! Soon, you'll see your own flesh-and-blood turn into a thug. And if it's a girl, she'll be really expensive (buying make-up to look like Britney Spears, or starts to hang out with 2 or more guys that you never met.  ).

Note: Watch out when your kid turns 18. Chances are, he might execute his right to own a fire arm and may start drinking. but don't worry, some states in the U.S. require a teen to be 19 in order to be declared an adult. Here in Florida, the requirement is 18 and I'm turning 19 in 5 days.

PS: This post should not concern those who don't have small, elementary, children.

Yeah, you just slammed me.   But a least you said you're sorry.   But, I'm a teenager, and I don't like us very much.

Sock

Well, my 2 cents:
Being a parent is loads of work -- yes, caring for my 1-year-old is not easy. Sleep deprivation, stress, etc. But the rewards far outweigh the travails. I'm 43 and feel fortunate that I'm a dad. Seeing the baby grow and develop and communicate and reach milestone after milestone is an experience that I cherish. Yes, some people simply have no interest in becoming parents, and that's fine, but I'm sure that many people in their teens and 20s who claim to "hate kids" eventually see parenthood as a natural progression and a role they embrace.

A good friend of mine has a sticker on his pickup which says:

"Hire a teenager while they still know everything"

I really just glanced through this but I will give my 2 cents, then I need to get back to work.

My whole life I always looked at children as a 'burden" to raise. I was used to my free for all life. I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Other people’s children totally annoyed me. I always would say to myself in a restaraunt,"shut that kid up", or if I was on an aircraft, "Geeze, can't you control that kid!! Then as I got a little older, for me in my life this would be around 30, I met my wife. Things were great; we did what we wanted, when we wanted!! We discussed children but I always was a little hesitant. Well as you know, if you are married, the "unexpected' can happen. 

Now I am the kind of guy that in any situation, I can deal with it and get through it. So as it happens, I was somewhat shocked and very happy when my wife told me she was pregnant.
All of a sudden your entire life changes.
When you have done all that I have and experience so much, I was ready for this little package to enter my life. Nobody really teaches you how to be a parent. You just try your best and raise your child the best way you can.

It is funny. Now when I am at a restaurant, when my daughter starts to act up, I understand the stress of this situation. I will get a look from some young couple and I say you myself, "that was me".
Hell, I am taking Madison on an Embraer 170 next month! That is going to be interesting!! But you know what. She is my daughter and we just need to get through it. My wife and I have disciplined her very well and she is polite, respectful and kind. She is only 2 so she has every right to act up and be herself. I am sorry to the people who "do not understand"; then again you do not need to. I did not need to nor did I want to understand this  before we had Madison. To me it was simple, "control that brat!" 

As you go through life's stages, your priorities change. When you are young, it is hard enough to take care of yourself, nevermind somebody else. Having a baby is the farthest thing from your mind. As you move along and accomplish different goals, all of a sudden you get to the point where you say, I am now ready for this. For some people it is 20 years old, some it is 30 others it is later and for some, they don't want children. (That was me only 10 years ago)!
I am 35 and my wife is 38. We both are not getting any younger. Your entire family all of a sudden becomes your "entire" life. That entire house I am biulding is for one purpose. To keep my family safe and warm. 10 years ago I was worried about what club I was going out to or how am I going to nurse this hang over! 

When you CREATE this little person who relies upon your every action, when you look into their innocent eyes and see yourself, when you look at your wife and your little child as they sleep, then and only then will you understand what having a child is about. I am still very new to this and I am learning every day.
To sum it all up, I will say that I fully understand what many of you are saying and I was in the same boat. I was lucky enough to have a healthy child and I can now look at it from the other side of the fence.
Having a baby changes EVERYTHING!!

So here is a picture of Madison and she is the reason My life changed. It has all been for the better. I can’t picture my life without her now.


Funny thing life is……..
“It’s my life and it’s sure fun……another season of my life’s begun……
another race I’m glad I get to run,……another chapter of my life I’m writing.
No I’m never going to feel like this again….time’s rushing by me like the wind….
Got to grab each moment while I can…..cause I’m never going to feel like this again”.


Dave's disclosure: This is only my view on children and family. My views and lifestyle do not reflect the "norm" of everybody. It is just my outlook and everybody's desires and goals in life are different. You can go through life single and never have any offspring and still get all that life has to offer. 

Plus, who is going to put my teeth back in my head when I am having wheel chair races in the retirement home! LOL
Dave  8)

OH BY THE WAY,
I GUESS THIS WOULD ALSO BE A GOOD TIME TO TELL EVERYBODY,………
BARBARA AND I ARE EXPECTING OUR 2ND CHILD IN MAY!!!!!
We found out last week and it is still in the early stages but what the heck.
I was going to post an announcement today anyway. 
Thanks for starting this thread Craig! LOL

Dave, she doesn't look to happy in that photo

Fly2e, You have a cute little girl there, but of course mine is much cuter (biased opinion of course!)
Your right, I would never trade back my kids for freedom. With them I can get away with acting crazy
Chris

I love kids - here is just one of the reasons:

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