Biological Clock for Men?
Women are not the only ones who hear the tick, tick, tick...
We here at daddydaily.com have no idea if there is such a thing as a biological clock for men – we’re a web site, not a bunch of research doctors. However, there is an undisputed trend happening in our society today where woman are having babies later in life. These days it’s not uncommon to have women having children in their late thirties or even early forties. If the women are having babies later, what does that say for the other half of the equation? You got it men are becoming fathers later in life. This insight is not lost on those who frequent this site or who participate in the “Daddy Network.”
Recently we’ve been getting e-mails on this very topic from concerned fathers-to-be that may not be in the average age bracket for expectant fathers. Here is one concerned expectant father that would like some feedback. Read his concerns and blog back some comments.
I am a first time father, age 48 years old.
My wife is 15 years my junior.
We are very excited about having a child.
I am quite scared.
I know that this will all change dramatically but right now I eat very well,
exercise 5+ times per week, get plenty of sleep, and make time for the third
leg of my tripod (family, career, personal), I feel that keeping up with a
toddler will require more of me than I can give.
As with everything else in my life, I will give 100% but I am afraid that it
wont be enough.
Also, when my child graduates high school, I will be 65 years old.
There is a strong likelihood that we will try to have a second baby, a
sibling.
So double the challenge and double the concern.
Any ‘fatherly’ advise or comment from fathers in this demographic?
Posted on Monday, September 17th, 2007 at 4:48 pm.
Filed under Daddy Blog, Before Baby.
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September 22nd, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I am 44 yrs old and a father of 4. My wife is 13 years younger. My youngest is 1, oldest is 9. I hear your concern for having enough time for the new life you have to care for. At first we decided not to be a 2 income family and for my wife to stay at home with the kids. It is a real struggle to balance gaining enough income to support 6 people in a home and still spend enough time with these children who look up to you for companionship and love. I kind of had to leave that to my wife to do. Now things are really hard because my wife is now my EX and I’m a single father of 4. What advice can I give you? You do what you can. You plan weekends for your kids not for you. Sleep overs with their friends at your place and your the “Butler”. Ask them to “help” you with the dishes. I find that they don’t care what your “doing” all they care is that you include them. When I make french toast in the morning my 2 yr old’s job it to hold the spatula until I need it. She loves it! My 6 yr old loves to load the laundry in the washer then I “help” him put in the soap. All this is mundane chores until you include your kids then it’s fun for them and time well spent with them for you.
Personal time with just you and your spouse or you and your friends is great. Just plan the “sitter” to do something fun for dinner or a DVD and some popcorn or twister and toast with honey. Be creative and remember your childhood. What would you love to have done on Fri night with the sitter while Mom and Dad go to the movie?
Oh and read to them every night. I “help” pick a chapter book and read one or two chapters to them every night. Their last image before sleep is your soft voice.
You can make every minute count.
Good Luck
Mr. Daddy