TexasCHLforum.com

Happy Father's Day, soon-to-be dad.

I haven't chimed in about the age issue because my family is a definite anomaly. But maybe it'll make you feel better that you are far from too late.

On my mother's side, I get to count myself a seventh-generation Texan. The first emigre to the-then Mexican state was a William McFarland, who moved here in 1830, was elected alcalde of San Augustine in 1833, and served as a colonel in the army of the Republic of Texas.

On my father's side, I can only claim to be a third-generation Texan...even though the family moved to Texas in 1841 or 1842, just 11 or 12 years after McFarland. The original emigre, my great-grandfather was born in 1824. My grandfather was born near the foot of the Hill Country in 1864. My father was born in south Texas in 1898.

Going back to 1790, my paternal line has an average generational length of 40.75 years. Definitely atypical. But hey: we made it!

When your kid gets ready to graduate college, the average life expectancy will no doubt be over 80. You could well still be around with plenty of time for the marriage and a couple of grandkids.

Thanks to all for the congrats and advice! We couldn't be more excited. Even though it is a surprise I'm really looking forward to it!

You do realize people with only one child don't really qualify as parents, right?

If you only have one child, you always know who broke the lamp.

Pawpaw wrote:You do realize people with only one child don't really qualify as parents, right?

If you only have one child, you always know who broke the lamp.

I don't know about that. My wife and I have 3 kids and yet she seems to always know that I was the one who broke the lamp.

First, let me say congratulations! I was 36 when my one and only was born and my wife was 38. My daughter is now 12 and my whole world. Although you are NEVER really prepared, I'm personally glad I was as old as I was because I was financially secure and way more mature to handle the little things that always come about. I'm sure we would have made it somehow, but it still was a blessing for us to be where we were at that point in life. Our only concern was our doctor kept on about my wife's age and complications of having a baby at that age. My daughter was/is perfectly healthy and becoming a beautiful young lady. Again, congrats and may God bless your expanding family.

Soccerdad1995 wrote:

Pawpaw wrote:You do realize people with only one child don't really qualify as parents, right?

If you only have one child, you always know who broke the lamp.

I don't know about that. My wife and I have 3 kids and yet she seems to always know that I was the one who broke the lamp.

Pretty funny and somehow both of you are right!

TVGuy wrote:

Soccerdad1995 wrote:

Pawpaw wrote:You do realize people with only one child don't really qualify as parents, right?

If you only have one child, you always know who broke the lamp.

I don't know about that. My wife and I have 3 kids and yet she seems to always know that I was the one who broke the lamp.

Pretty funny and somehow both of you are right!

One of the benefits of having kids is that you get to blame them when you break something. Doesn't work as well once they learn to talk.

Soccerdad1995 wrote:

TVGuy wrote:

Soccerdad1995 wrote:

Pawpaw wrote:You do realize people with only one child don't really qualify as parents, right?

If you only have one child, you always know who broke the lamp.

I don't know about that. My wife and I have 3 kids and yet she seems to always know that I was the one who broke the lamp.

Pretty funny and somehow both of you are right!

One of the benefits of having kids is that you get to blame them when you break something. Doesn't work as well once they learn to talk.

That's what dogs are for.

Pawpaw wrote:

Soccerdad1995 wrote:

TVGuy wrote:

Soccerdad1995 wrote:

Pawpaw wrote:You do realize people with only one child don't really qualify as parents, right?

If you only have one child, you always know who broke the lamp.

I don't know about that. My wife and I have 3 kids and yet she seems to always know that I was the one who broke the lamp.

Pretty funny and somehow both of you are right!

One of the benefits of having kids is that you get to blame them when you break something. Doesn't work as well once they learn to talk.

That's what dogs are for.

I've blamed them for other things up until now!

The Annoyed Man wrote:Brother, you are in for the best, richest, most rewarding, and most terrifying days of your lives. I am happy for you.

TVGuy wrote:

Pawpaw wrote:

Soccerdad1995 wrote:

TVGuy wrote:

Soccerdad1995 wrote:

Pawpaw wrote:You do realize people with only one child don't really qualify as parents, right?

If you only have one child, you always know who broke the lamp.

I don't know about that. My wife and I have 3 kids and yet she seems to always know that I was the one who broke the lamp.

Pretty funny and somehow both of you are right!

One of the benefits of having kids is that you get to blame them when you break something. Doesn't work as well once they learn to talk.

That's what dogs are for.

I've blamed them for other things up until now!

Exactly. Grandkids are for training to pull Papaw's finger. Dogs are for blaming the results on.