Older Parents make Better Parents

I was 29 years old when my first child, a daughter was born. Would I have made a better father to my three children had I started now at 53 years of age?

Obviously it’s a question you’d never know the answer to. I’m not going to start now with another set of kids to see which group turns out the best. What does that even mean and if you could quantify it, if the second group turns out worse than the first, does that mean I was a worse father?

The true question is would I do anything differently now? Is there anything I would change knowing what I know? Again it’s not really a fair question. I know what I know because I was a dad at 29. If I wasn’t, there would be nothing to change because I wouldn’t know what I know because I wouldn’t have been a Dad at 29. Head spinning yet?

But let’s play.

I’ve changed. I’m not the same man that I was 24 years ago. If I started now I would do some things differently because I’m different.

1. I value time more than money. I used to work extra shifts or take overtime if it was offered. I would forego taking sick days because they were paid out at my anniversary date. Now, forget it. No unnecessary overtime and if I get a sniffle I’m off. Okay, not that bad but if I’m sick I take the day. Valuing time would allow me more time with my family. That would…