I had my first (of two) kid when I was 35 and a couple things helped a lot: - I was one of the older cousins on both sides of big families so I got to see a lo

I had my first (of two) kid when I was 35 and a couple things helped a lot: - I was one of the older cousins on both sides of big families so I got to see a lot of little kids running around. - I read this amazing post from Jeff Atwood: https://blog.codinghorror.com/on-parenthood/ https://blog.codinghorror.com/on-parenthood/ - I watched this talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/rufus_griscom_alisa_volkman_let_s_talk_parenting_taboos?language=en https://www.ted.com/talks/rufus_griscom_alisa_volkman_let_s_... - I read a good quote that went something like this: "I asked my dad if I was ready for kids and he said 'If you are worried having kids will mess up your life, then you're not ready because you are still thinking about yourself. If you are worried that you might mess up THEIR life, then you are probably ready because it means you are already thinking about them.' " Children definitely change your life and are a lot of work. That being said, the first time they smile at you or call you "Dada" or "Mama" it feels like you won the emotional lottery. Then each milestone big or small just keeps adding to that feeling.