I'm Afraid

[Pretty Go Pale]

No -- this isn't a take-off on the thread where I reveal my usual fears . . . this is a new deal. I have two daughters (and a wife) -- go figure. My youngest (11 yrs. old) began her period yesterday, my wife tells me. Now, I'll have three PMSing ladies in my house. This isn't my fear. Seems like only yesterday I was a stay-at-home daddy, playing horses and watching Blues Clues with my babies -- did it for seven very hard years. Now, seems like time holds a grudge against me. My daughters are growing up and I am growing old. Now that they are becoming women, I hope I can still be the daddy who could answer questions about sick pets, tooth fairies and Chincoteague ponies. My daughters are growing up, but I don't think I want to.

[billyskank]

1. You still have some time yet

But yes, eventually they will grow up and lead lives of their own. You know that. :hi:

[Pretty Go Pale]

2. Yes . . .

. . . they'll be OK. Not sure if I will.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. You will adjust, you have no choice..........

At any rate, your wife will help you and you will help her. It will even out.

[Road Scholar]

4. You have it all back-wards. I remember getting a little choked

when my little girl started to school and had other friends and interests other than my and her mom. I had it all back wards too. She always came back to dad and I was always there.She's all grown up now and a great lawyer.She has lots of other friends, and business associates that I'll probably never meet Totally independent now, she still checks with dad. She's my fishing and canoing camping buddie.When she was thirty five and her kitty died, who do you think she called and had a good cry. Yep, she knew I was still there for her. Her mother says that she and I are "thick as maggots". lol
Don't worry, just be a good dad and you'll like the results.:toast:

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. In_Transit

:yourock:

[Road Scholar]

8. Not really, but thank you. I made my share of mistakes and

then some.I never thought of my self as the brightest star in the sky but my girl always knew where my heart was.She still does (I hope).:hi:

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. Daddy's girl! Nothing better than that! As I recall, you are fishing buddies, right?

That is time well spent! And for the record we as parent all make our fair share of mistakes. After all, kids don't come with instruction manuals...........:rofl: If only!

[Road Scholar]

10. A manual sure would've been nice. LOL Yep, fishing buddies

all right.
Reading the origanal thread here, had me reminiscing.
When my girl was 5, I bought a used bike (w/training wheels) I was all I could afford, so I sanded it and painted it and Santa brought it to her that Christmas. She was so happy with a bike, she didn't care that it was a used one.
I just bought a boat for offshore fishing and she and I learned the GPS system together. She has "waypoint" marked all the best fishing spots on it and runs the boat way better than me.
I'm pretty sure I'm the luckiest man I ever met.

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. You are very lucky.............And so is she....................but than you both know that

I suspect! Take care In-Transit!

[SeattleGirl]

5. My "baby" is 27, and is getting married in 2 months.

But you know what? I am so proud of her. She has grown into a wonderful young woman. Yeah, we had our "moments", mostly because it was hard for both of us to let go of the image of her as a little girl, but we got past it. Parents and their children have some adjustments to make along the way, but believe me, Pretty, for everything you must let go of with your children, there will always be something new to embrace.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. I had two boys....they are my life.........a girl would have completed me.

Kids are the best!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

12. Well, there's a way to do that...

And it takes you being honest and not judging them for anything they happen to do, mistakes they make, and making sure they know you will love them no matter what happens. I think parents forget that their kids are human. My mother freaked out at everything I did that she didn't like. It didn't stop me from knowing they were the right things to do, but it did make my relationship with my mother very strained for a very long time. Love your girls, make sure they know you're there for them, and they can be honest with you about anything. Make sure they know that you may be disappointed in them but nothing will ever cause you to do harm to them or stop loving them. It's common sense. You're a good dad for worrying. :hug:
Duckie

[Tsiyu]

13. Awwww

Listen, you will be ready to let them go after the teenage years because they will drive you nuts getting all independent and such. But my grown kids are my delight.

My two oldest are in college and I do not see them very much ( did see them at Christmas and that was a thrill) but my two (middle) grown kids live close by with a lot of cool friends and they always invite me to their parties and their friends consider me to be their "Mom" and friend as well. They keep me young and keep me from being such a hermit.

We're going caving next week since the kids discovered an awesome huge room in a local cave where they want to rapel. Last night, my son called and invited me to watch his band play at a local club. Their lives are fascinating and interesting and I actually enjoy this phase of parenting better than I did the younger years when they were so much work and worry and responsibility.

You'll be alright, Dad!