Having reached all of 37. (70 years younger than Dave) I am of the opinion that I would be a better parent if I was starting out about now.
I lacked a lot of skills like patience, when I was younger.
Anyhoo my boys are pretty good so I done "not toooooo bad"
Bad now.
Brilliant one day. Maybe. Or not. Dunno.
My kids are of the opinion I learnt my parenting skills from the Homer J Simpson school of thought. He does some have some interesting things to say on the subject.
I'd probably have to ditto zooo on this one.
Quote: zooo @ February 19, 2008, 7:19 PMBad now.
Why do you think you would be bad now?
That quezzie to GrammArron to.
No particular reason. Just instinct.
Because I'm quite selfish. And poor.
I really want a cat at the moment, but it's actually too much of a commitment! (How sad am I?)
So, you know, a kid is at least like, twice as much commitment as a cat...
Quote: Aaron @ February 19, 2008, 7:29 PMNo particular reason. Just instinct.
I can just imagine you as you rifled through a 4 year old's school work.
Quote: zooo @ February 19, 2008, 7:30 PMBecause I'm quite selfish. And poor.
I really want a cat at the moment, but it's actually too much of a commitment! (How sad am I?)
So, you know, a kid is at least like, twice as much commitment as a cat...
Sometimes I'm selfish... Sometimes not. Poor definitely. The cat thing is my worry about leaving home. Can't take Chip with me. 
Quote: Charley @ February 19, 2008, 7:31 PMI can just imagine you as you rifled through a 4 year old's school work.
Eh?
I think I'd be pretty good actually. I would like children in about 5 years time I think. Enough time to get married, and enjoy married life before having it ruined by stinky nappys and no sleep.
Quote: Charley @ February 19, 2008, 7:13 PMHaving reached all of 37. I am of the opinion that I would be a better parent if I was starting out about now.
Having entered fatherhood properly a few months before my 40th I would suggest that you may have the patience and other skills if you wait, but you won't have the energy. I am utterly knackered all the time. I fall asleep if I stop moving in a warm room. But I hope I'm a good parent to my 2 year old.
I have a stepson who's 17 and he's great although I would say my relationship with him is more one of mates than father/son. He tells me off for saying f**k, that sort of thing. Actually, maybe that is a comedy, turning things on it's head, father/son relationship.
Hey, look at that. I forget to type f**k and you do it for me.
I'm so irresponsible if I have a tommy tank, the social services are round with a squeegee and a test tube.
Single.
Quote: steve by any other name @ February 19, 2008, 7:41 PMHe tells me off for saying f**k, that sort of thing. ... Hey, look at that. I forget to type f**k and you do it for me.
Actually, that's just because you've got the naughty words filter turned on. Please don't put in the asterisks yourself.
Well I was a bit like Charley in that I never had a chance to "enjoy" married life before having kids. And now I can't get rid of the buggers.
I think I'll go before them.